Palin told she must pay back taxes

[RunInRed 19,658]

Good thing President Obama did not try to appoint her to a position

Gov. Sarah Palin must pay income taxes on thousands of dollars in expense money she received while living at her Wasilla home, under a new determination by state officials.

The governor's office wouldn't say this week how much she owes in back taxes for meal money, or whether she intends to continue to receive the per diem allowance. As of December, she was still charging the state for meals and incidentals.

"The amount of taxes owed is a private matter," Sharon Leighow, Palin's spokeswoman, said in an e-mail. "If the governor collects future per diem, those documents would be a matter of public record."

The revelation about Palin comes as U.S. senators, including Sen. Mark Begich, D-Alaska, are under scrutiny over back taxes. A survey by the political newspaper and Web site Politico (www.politico.com) found that Begich was one of seven senators who acknowledged owing back taxes.

Some other state employees also owe back income taxes for travel payments and will be getting revised tax forms, Annette Kreitzer, state administration commissioner, said in an e-mail.

She wouldn't say which, or how many, employees will be receiving the notifications.

The payments became a touchy issue for Palin last fall when she was running for vice president and campaigned as a budget watchdog.

The Washington Post published a story in mid-September that said she had charged the state almost $17,000 for meals and incidentals while staying in her own home.

The state considers Juneau, where she lives in the Governor's Mansion, to be Palin's official duty station.

Palin billed the state for 312 nights spent in her Wasilla home during her first 19 months in office, according to the Washington Post. She received $60 a day tax free, money intended to cover meals and incidentals, while traveling on state business, her travel forms show.

"Last fall we raised questions about longstanding practices within the Department of Administration regarding tax treatment of per diem payments," Kreitzer wrote in an exchange of e-mails over the past few days with the Daily News.

"At the Governor's request, we reviewed the situation to determine whether we were in full compliance with the pertinent Internal Revenue Service regulations," Kreitzer wrote. "As a result of this review, we determined that per diem needs to be treated as income, requiring a revision of W-2 forms for any affected employees."

The new determination by administration officials won't affect state lawmakers, said Pam Varni, director of the Legislative Affairs agency.

Under IRS guidelines, legislators receive tax-free payments to help with living expenses while in Juneau for the legislative session -- if their home is at least 50 miles away, Varni said.

The current rate, set by the U.S. Department of Defense, is $189 a day. That goes to everyone except the three Juneau-based legislators, who get smaller payments that are taxed as compensation.

Legislators can also charge the state $150 a day for time spent on state business when the Legislature is not in session, but those payments are taxed as income, Varni said.

Begich's situation came to light through a political survey released last week by Politico about senators and their taxes.

Fifty-five senators, including Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, didn't answer the questions, and a few others owed money but didn't consider it "back taxes" for one reason or another.

On his way out of a meeting with veterans on Monday, Begich answered a few questions about the back taxes he paid on a vehicle provided to him by the city when he was mayor.

"I refused the car the first 10 or 12 months," Begich said. "I didn't want the car.

"Then they told me I had to have it because of liability and a need and security and blah, blah, blah. So I ended up getting a used car. The first time a mayor has gotten a used car." It was a former police SUV.

The tax obligation came to his attention in late 2007, as he remembers it, after a regular IRS audit of city issues. The city then sent him revised tax statements.

"They gave me a letter and said you got to pay taxes on it. So they revised my W-2s." He wouldn't say how much he owed. "It's irrelevant," Begich said.

Generally, people are supposed to pay income taxes on the value of an employer-provided vehicle that is for personal use. Police vehicles are among the exceptions -- officers can drive them home and not be taxed on the value of the commute.

There's no specific exception in the law for mayors or governors. Palin has had a state Chevy Suburban.

Begich said a mayor is always on the job. No other Anchorage mayor ever had to pay income taxes on a city vehicle, he said.

"That's the point. I'm always on call. Always. ... And I think that's what the city's view was, for the city manager and me, was that we were always on call," Begich said. "But the IRS viewed it differently."

"After that issue came up, I got rid of the car," Begich said. He was in a downtown parking lot getting into the Toyota Highlander hybrid he bought in late 2007 to replace the city rig.

The Politico story about the survey said his situation echoed that of Tom Daschle, who had to step down as President Barack Obama's pick for health secretary after revelations about back taxes, including taxes owed for a limo and driver.

"For Politico to say it's the same as Daschle -- that's bunk," Begich said.

http://www.adn.com/palin/story/693695.html

[autigeremt 7,549]

Gov. Sarah Palin must pay income taxes on thousands of dollars in expense money she received while living at her Wasilla home, under a new determination by state officials.

New determination. So, it's more of an ammendment to her taxes? That's a whole lot different than what has happened so far.

[RunInRed 19,658]

Gov. Sarah Palin must pay income taxes on thousands of dollars in expense money she received while living at her Wasilla home, under a new determination by state officials.

New determination. So, it's more of an ammendment to her taxes? That's a whole lot different than what has happened so far.

Give me a break. She was collecting per diem meal money while staying in her own house. That's grounds enough to get you fired in my line of work.

[autigeremt 7,549]

You line of work doesn't fit into the government frame of mind. Can you at the least admit that Palins situation is no worse than what we have in Washington right now? These people have no clue about little ole' us. We are not a part of their stratosphere.

[autigeremt 7,549]

"At the Governor's request, we reviewed the situation to determine whether we were in full compliance with the pertinent Internal Revenue Service regulations," Kreitzer wrote. "As a result of this review, we determined that per diem needs to be treated as income, requiring a revision of W-2 forms for any affected employees."

I think this clears her. She actually requested a review. Now what do you say?

[RunInRed 19,658]

I never said it was any worse but can you imagine the outrage if this was "another Obama appointment". You guys would have splattered the board with it 10 times over by now.

[autigeremt 7,549]

And why not????? He's only the President of the United States! He ran on all this "CHANGE" and "OPEN" government. It just proves that he wasn't ready for this. I can't help Obama for you. He's his own man.

[RunInRed 19,658]

Help him do what? I think he's doing a fine job so far and according to his approval rating, the vast majority of Americans agree -- kinda waters down your "he was not ready" argument.

Nevertheless, the point was, tax complications are not isolated to "dims" or for that matter, probably any small portion of the population either. I mean, Palin's issue was not even discovered by the McCain's VP vetting process. (However, I'm sure if he was elected, he would have been able to appoint an entire cabinet and various posts w/o any having tax issues )

And of course the fact that you won't hear this on FNC, from TM, or other sources on the right, points out the hypocrisy in it all.

[autigeremt 7,549]

I never said they were isolated to "dims"...just like sex offenses, greed, and backroom lobby dollars. YOU are the one trying to corner a specific person to "quantify" the poor practices of the Democrats and their Messiah..

I could care less about approval ratings. He's getting an F in MY book on the economy and a B+ on his approach on the war. He also gets and F in how he's handled his cabinet picks, and a C on his foreign policy.

McCain's not the President, so he's not in play here.

[RunInRed 19,658]

You do what you want but in my objective book, it is impossible to assign grades until we see the results of his actions (which may be many years down the road). That said, I assume your rankings result from philosphical differences in opinion, which I understand.

[autigeremt 7,549]

They are. That's why I don't take anything you say personally. I respect your opinion. I want our nation to be productive and AUsome. I just can't find historical evidence that backs Obama's, nor the lefts economic ideals.

[autigeremt 7,549]

You do what you want but in my objective book, it is impossible to assign grades until we see the results of his actions (which may be many years down the road). That said, I assume your ranking are in philosphical differences in opinion, which I understand.

My grades are early on in the Semester. Things can change, even for a right leaning independent like me.

[AURaptor 1,137]

Give me a break. She was collecting per diem meal money while staying in her own house. That's grounds enough to get you fired in my line of work.

Pathetically lame that you'd compare your work to that of the Gov. of State. This is splitting hairs, as such per diems are often allowed for employees, regardless of where they work/ live.

[TigerHeat 9]

Gov. Sarah Palin must pay income taxes on thousands of dollars in expense money she received while living at her Wasilla home, under a new determination by state officials.

New determination. So, it's more of an ammendment to her taxes? That's a whole lot different than what has happened so far.

Give me a break. She was collecting per diem meal money while staying in her own house. That's grounds enough to get you fired in my line of work.

So I guess you really had a hard time with HRC's Chappaqua mortgage being paid by the taxpayers due to her Secret Service protection?

Per diem meal money for certain State of Alabama employees is given no matter where they live and work due to the nature of their jobs. In Alabama, it's untaxable.

[3328 0]

Help him do what? I think he's doing a fine job so far and according to his approval rating, the vast majority of Americans agree -- kinda waters down your "he was not ready" argument.

Nevertheless, the point was, tax complications are not isolated to "dims" or for that matter, probably any small portion of the population either. I mean, Palin's issue was not even discovered by the McCain's VP vetting process. (However, I'm sure if he was elected, he would have been able to appoint an entire cabinet and various posts w/o any having tax issues )

And of course the fact that you won't hear this on FNC, from TM, or other sources on the right, points out the hypocrisy in it all.

A fine job indeed comrade.

When he and his minions are finished even this site may be excoriated. Hey runnin, a total government takeover of the private sector doesn't just scare you a little?

If not I want some of what you're drinkin'! We're placing an incredible debt on our great-granchildren, and in our old age names like kibbles and bits and ol' roy are gonna be on our menu.

Good job guys. The Bush Obama Economic Plan.

Oh yeah, 62% of surveyed respondents do not approve of his good job. Rasmussen Feb 16, 09.

And congress is approaching single digits.

Yeah good job.

[RunInRed 19,658]

Do not ever let the facts get in the way of your opinion...

Oh yeah, 62% of surveyed respondents do not approve of his good job. Rasmussen Feb 16, 09.

"The President’s overall approval rating has been remarkably steady since inauguration day, staying between 60% and 62% every day but three."

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_con...l_tracking_poll

And congress is approaching single digits.

http://www.aunation.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=56492

[Tigermike 4,266]

Do not ever let the facts get in the way of your opinion... cause I don't.

FTFY

Good thing President Obama did not try to appoint her to a position

Gov. Sarah Palin must pay income taxes on thousands of dollars in expense money she received while living at her Wasilla home, under a new determination by state officials.

The governor's office wouldn't say this week how much she owes in back taxes for meal money, or whether she intends to continue to receive the per diem allowance. As of December, she was still charging the state for meals and incidentals.

"The amount of taxes owed is a private matter," Sharon Leighow, Palin's spokeswoman, said in an e-mail. "If the governor collects future per diem, those documents would be a matter of public record."

The revelation about Palin comes as U.S. senators, including Sen. Mark Begich, D-Alaska, are under scrutiny over back taxes. A survey by the political newspaper and Web site Politico (www.politico.com) found that Begich was one of seven senators who acknowledged owing back taxes.

Some other state employees also owe back income taxes for travel payments and will be getting revised tax forms, Annette Kreitzer, state administration commissioner, said in an e-mail.

She wouldn't say which, or how many, employees will be receiving the notifications.

The payments became a touchy issue for Palin last fall when she was running for vice president and campaigned as a budget watchdog.

The Washington Post published a story in mid-September that said she had charged the state almost $17,000 for meals and incidentals while staying in her own home.

The state considers Juneau, where she lives in the Governor's Mansion, to be Palin's official duty station.

Palin billed the state for 312 nights spent in her Wasilla home during her first 19 months in office, according to the Washington Post. She received $60 a day tax free, money intended to cover meals and incidentals, while traveling on state business, her travel forms show.

"Last fall we raised questions about longstanding practices within the Department of Administration regarding tax treatment of per diem payments," Kreitzer wrote in an exchange of e-mails over the past few days with the Daily News.

"At the Governor's request, we reviewed the situation to determine whether we were in full compliance with the pertinent Internal Revenue Service regulations," Kreitzer wrote. "As a result of this review, we determined that per diem needs to be treated as income, requiring a revision of W-2 forms for any affected employees."

The new determination by administration officials won't affect state lawmakers, said Pam Varni, director of the Legislative Affairs agency.

Under IRS guidelines, legislators receive tax-free payments to help with living expenses while in Juneau for the legislative session -- if their home is at least 50 miles away, Varni said.

The current rate, set by the U.S. Department of Defense, is $189 a day. That goes to everyone except the three Juneau-based legislators, who get smaller payments that are taxed as compensation.

Legislators can also charge the state $150 a day for time spent on state business when the Legislature is not in session, but those payments are taxed as income, Varni said.

Begich's situation came to light through a political survey released last week by Politico about senators and their taxes.

Fifty-five senators, including Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, didn't answer the questions, and a few others owed money but didn't consider it "back taxes" for one reason or another.

On his way out of a meeting with veterans on Monday, Begich answered a few questions about the back taxes he paid on a vehicle provided to him by the city when he was mayor.

"I refused the car the first 10 or 12 months," Begich said. "I didn't want the car.

"Then they told me I had to have it because of liability and a need and security and blah, blah, blah. So I ended up getting a used car. The first time a mayor has gotten a used car." It was a former police SUV.

The tax obligation came to his attention in late 2007, as he remembers it, after a regular IRS audit of city issues. The city then sent him revised tax statements.

"They gave me a letter and said you got to pay taxes on it. So they revised my W-2s." He wouldn't say how much he owed. "It's irrelevant," Begich said.

Generally, people are supposed to pay income taxes on the value of an employer-provided vehicle that is for personal use. Police vehicles are among the exceptions -- officers can drive them home and not be taxed on the value of the commute.

There's no specific exception in the law for mayors or governors. Palin has had a state Chevy Suburban.

Begich said a mayor is always on the job. No other Anchorage mayor ever had to pay income taxes on a city vehicle, he said.

"That's the point. I'm always on call. Always. ... And I think that's what the city's view was, for the city manager and me, was that we were always on call," Begich said. "But the IRS viewed it differently."

"After that issue came up, I got rid of the car," Begich said. He was in a downtown parking lot getting into the Toyota Highlander hybrid he bought in late 2007 to replace the city rig.

The Politico story about the survey said his situation echoed that of Tom Daschle, who had to step down as President Barack Obama's pick for health secretary after revelations about back taxes, including taxes owed for a limo and driver.

"For Politico to say it's the same as Daschle -- that's bunk," Begich said.

http://www.adn.com/palin/story/693695.html