[Cody Dawg]

What made him think he didn't have to pay ANY taxes?

I cannot imagine what that guy was thinking? He wins $1 MILLION dollars and makes a few hundred thousand more separately and decides not to pay taxes on ANY of it?



He's in the public eye, for Pete's sake! What was he thinking?

[ort888]

He was thinking that he could just vote the IRS off the island.

[wdlove]

If he had an agreement, his mistake was not having it it in writing. Notoriety can bring on unintended consequences.

[Cody Dawg]

ort888
He was thinking that he could just vote the IRS off the island.

Post of the Day™

[wdlove]

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

Post of the Day™

Very good Cody.

[wdlove]

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

Post of the Day™

Very good Cody.

[ReggieX]

He was thinking that he was above the law since he was the first Survivor celebrity.

[TETENAL]

You don't have to pay taxes on money you win.

[ReggieX]

Originally Posted by TETENAL

You don't have to pay taxes on money you win.

That's what he was thinking, and he was wrong.

[Person Man]

Originally Posted by TETENAL

You don't have to pay taxes on money you win.

Maybe not in Germany, but in the U.S., you do. Any prizes of value are considered income, and you pay income taxes on them.

So, win $1 million, and you have to pay the taxes.

Those home improvement programs? Like Monster House, etc... you pay taxes on those changes. Oprah Winfrey once gave away cars to people in the audience who couldn't afford new ones. Guess what? Those people also had to pay taxes on them (Oprah apparently agreeed to pay the taxes after the uproar caused by the people not being able to afford the taxes).

[TETENAL]

Originally Posted by ReggieX

That's what he was thinking, and he was wrong.

http://www.steuerlinks.de/ls-einkunftsarten.html

[TETENAL]

Originally Posted by Person Man

Oprah Winfrey once gave away cars to people in the audience who couldn't afford new ones. Guess what? Those people also had to pay taxes on them.

That's not even a prize, that's a gift! If you make your mother a birthday gift, does she have to pay income taxes on that?

[OSX Abuser]

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

What made him think he didn't have to pay ANY taxes?

I cannot imagine what that guy was thinking? He wins $1 MILLION dollars and makes a few hundred thousand more separately and decides not to pay taxes on ANY of it?



He's in the public eye, for Pete's sake! What was he thinking?

What I found to be the most crazy part of this story is he filed his taxes and wanted money back.

[macroy]

Originally Posted by TETENAL

That's not even a prize, that's a gift! If you make your mother a birthday gift, does she have to pay income taxes on that?

There's a limit to that - I think its like $11K? Anything above that is taxed (called a "gift tax").

But my question is how did Oprah get away with paying her audience's taxes? Isn't that still a gift to them?

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by TETENAL

http://www.steuerlinks.de/ls-einkunftsarten.html

Alter, wat soll der Quatsch ?

Warum postest du Deutsches Steuerrecht in Bezug auf ein US Steuerrechtsverfahren ?

-t

[d4nth3m4n]

or for that matter, how can the tv shows where they build you a new house get away with that one? do they sign the house over to the network while the construction is going on?

i think i got an answer on this a while ago, but it's a little fuzzy...

do tell.

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by macroy

But my question is how did Oprah get away with paying her audience's taxes? Isn't that still a gift to them?

Duh, you just give them x + a gift amount y that covers the taxes (incl. the taxes for that y gift amount). In the end, they end up with x.

-t

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by d4nth3m4n

or for that matter, how can the tv shows where they build you a new house get away with that one? do they sign the house over to the network while the construction is going on?

i think i got an answer on this a while ago, but it's a little fuzzy...

do tell.

They can agree to pay the taxes for them, including the taxes on that "tax payment" gift.

-t

[TETENAL]

Originally Posted by turtle777

Warum postest du Deutsches Steuerrecht in Bezug auf ein US Steuerrechtsverfahren ?

Weil ich keine Ahnung von US-Steuerrecht habe vielleicht? Meines Wissens sind Spielgewinne steuerfrei und so ist es nach deutschem Steuerrecht. Ich finde es daher nicht so absurd, dass der Mensch annahm, dass sein Spielgewinn steuerfrei ist, denn so ist es nun mal auch (in Deutschland z. B.)

[TETENAL]

Originally Posted by macroy

There's a limit to that - I think its like $11K? Anything above that is taxed (called a "gift tax").

That's silly. What if you make a gift within a family? Let's say you give a car to your daughter or a diamond ring to your wife. She would have to pay taxes on that?
So then your daughter woud have to sell the car you gave to her to pay for the taxes (if she had no other income). That would be stupid.

[Blue Flame]

within family is a little different - but there are still rules. I think the $11K still applies in terms of cash, but objects are a bit different to my knowledge.

[residentEvil]

Originally Posted by TETENAL

That's silly. What if you make a gift within a family? Let's say you give a car to your daughter or a diamond ring to your wife. She would have to pay taxes on that?
So then your daughter woud have to sell the car you gave to her to pay for the taxes (if she had no other income). That would be stupid.

You already paid the tax when you bought the car or ring originally. In the case of the car, what happens usually is that when you go to register it, you put down either a)$1 and pay the tax on that or b) blue book value and pay the tax on that. In the case of the car, even if it is a gift to a family member, to the State it must be a valid 'sale' to the other person; it has to be registered to the new person. Hence the $1 a lot of people use.

[KeyLimePi]

Hatch is ego personified. If you've ever seen him interviewed, you know he thinks he's truely some sort of celebrity when, in fact, he's just a novelty.

This guy's only claim to fame is that he outsmarted 12 other people on reality show. That's kind of like being named best looking waitress at Denny's. What's worse is that apparently was a guest of the 'celebrity' episode of 'The Weakest Link' and won $10k for charity...which he also misused. Pathetic.

FYI - New season of Survivor starts in just a couple of weeks. I know because I do a Survivor podcast. I'm not particulary proud of it, but I think it counts toward my community service.

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by TETENAL

Weil ich keine Ahnung von US-Steuerrecht habe vielleicht? Meines Wissens sind Spielgewinne steuerfrei und so ist es nach deutschem Steuerrecht. Ich finde es daher nicht so absurd, dass der Mensch annahm, dass sein Spielgewinn steuerfrei ist, denn so ist es nun mal auch (in Deutschland z. B.)

Du glaubst im Ernst dass sich die Steuerrechte so stark gleichen ?
Deutsches Steuerrecht ist chaotisch, ueberkompliziert, komplex und unlogisch. Das ist nicht ueberall so...

-t

[TETENAL]

Originally Posted by residentEvil

You already paid the tax when you bought the car or ring originally.

Operah also paid sales tax on the cars she gifted to her audience. Couldn't she have used the 1$ trick as well to avoid taxes? Maybe she should have scratched the cars with her keys so they weren't "new" any more.

I don't think it's right to consider something won in games or a gift as taxable income.

[macroy]

Originally Posted by turtle777

Duh, you just give them x + a gift amount y that covers the taxes (incl. the taxes for that y gift amount). In the end, they end up with x.

-t

but then that gift used to pay the tax is also part of the gift now right? So then what? you just keep uping the gift percentages until its almost nil in relation to the tax?

Sounds like a rip for the gift giver. I guess I mis-spoke when I said "How'd she get away..." My point was that she should've not done that. She gave them a gift, if they can't afford the tax implications - don't accept it.

[Leia's Left Bun]

Another celebrity related thread by Cody...

[Rolling Bones]

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

I cannot imagine what that guy was thinking? He wins $1 MILLION dollars and makes a few hundred thousand more separately and decides not to pay taxes on ANY of it?



He's in the public eye, for Pete's sake! What was he thinking?

Yeah really. I would have gone and lived on the Caymen Islands. They have really cool banks.

[Rolling Bones]

Originally Posted by TETENAL

You don't have to pay taxes on money you win.

Almost half in the USA.

[Cody Dawg]

Speaking of Oprah, today I'm watching Oprah on her show at 4:00 PM.

Apparently today she's going to admit that she shouldn't have endorsed that Literary Liar known as James Frey author of A Million Little Lies - er - Pieces.

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

Apparently today she's going to admit that she shouldn't have endorsed that Literary Liar known as James Frey author of A Million Little Lies - er - Pieces.

Awesome

Please start a thread.

-t

[Rolling Bones]

Originally Posted by turtle777

Awesome

Please start a thread.

-t

Seconded.

[nredman]

Originally Posted by turtle777

Awesome

Please start a thread.

-t

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by nredman

Well, she did. I blame it on YOU

-t

[wdlove]

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

Speaking of Oprah, today I'm watching Oprah on her show at 4:00 PM.

Apparently today she's going to admit that she shouldn't have endorsed that Literary Liar known as James Frey author of A Million Little Lies - er - Pieces.

Good call Cody.

[Person Man]

Originally Posted by turtle777

Deutsches Steuerrecht ist chaotisch, ueberkompliziert, komplex und unlogisch. Das ist nicht ueberall so...

-t

I'd post this in German, but I don't have much time, so...

I beg to differ. The U.S. income tax system is just as "chaotic, over-complicated, complex, and illogical" as the German system.

Oh, and when did "posten" become the word for "to post?" Must have happened long after I took German in high school.

[Person Man]

Originally Posted by TETENAL

Operah also paid sales tax on the cars she gifted to her audience. Couldn't she have used the 1$ trick as well to avoid taxes? Maybe she should have scratched the cars with her keys so they weren't "new" any more.

I don't think it's right to consider something won in games or a gift as taxable income.

The problem is that when you buy a car yourself you pay for it in after-tax money. (i.e. you already paid your income taxes on the money you used to buy the car).

When you get a $15,000 car as a gift, that was $15,000 you didn't have before, and therefore, gets taxed.

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by Person Man

I beg to differ. The U.S. income tax system is just as "chaotic, over-complicated, complex, and illogical" as the German system.

You, my friend, have NO!!!!111oneone idea !
The German tax law is beyond anything else.

Did you know that 75% of the world's tax literature is regarding the German tax law ?!?!

Again, you won't believe it until you have experienced it.

-t

[Person Man]

Originally Posted by turtle777

You, my friend, have NO!!!!111oneone idea !
The German tax law is beyond anything else.

Did you know that 75% of the world's tax literature is regarding the German tax law ?!?!

Again, you won't believe it until you have experienced it.

-t

I stand corrected, then.

[Cody Dawg]

It's just like German language then...

Words are LONNNNNNGGGGGGGG and sentences are cOmpLIcaTeD.

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

It's just like German language then...

Words are LONNNNNNGGGGGGGG and sentences are cOmpLIcaTeD.

Donaudampfschifffahrtsgesellschaftskapitän
Förderungshöchstdauerüberschreitungsantragsform ularerläuterungsschreiben
Rindfleischetikettierungsüberwachungsaufgabenübe rtragungsgesetz
Kriegsdienstverweigerungsneuregelungsgesetz
Luftmassenmesserkulanzantragsformular



-t

[Person Man]

Originally Posted by turtle777

Donaudampfschifffahrtsgesellschaftskapitän
Förderungshöchstdauerüberschreitungsantragsform ularerläuterungsschreiben
Rindfleischetikettierungsüberwachungsaufgabenübe rtragungsgesetz
Kriegsdienstverweigerungsneuregelungsgesetz
Luftmassenmesserkulanzantragsformular



-t

Und jetzt schreiben Sie einen Satz mit allen diesen Woertern.

[Person Man]

Damn hamster

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by Person Man

Und jetzt schreiben Sie einen Satz mit allen diesen Woertern.

Der Donaudampfschifffahrtsgesellschaftskapitän war gerade dabei das Luftmassenmesserkulanzantragsformular des Kriegsdienstverweigerungsneuregelungsgesetzes auf Rechtschreibfehler zu pruefen, als ihm einfiel, dass die selben Fehler auch schon im Rindfleischetikettierungsüberwachungsaufgabenübe rtragungsgesetz und im Förderungshöchstdauerüberschreitungsantragsform ularerläuterungsschreiben enthalten waren.

No prob.



-t

[Person Man]

Originally Posted by turtle777

Der Donaudampfschifffahrtsgesellschaftskapitän war gerade dabei das Luftmassenmesserkulanzantragsformular des Kriegsdienstverweigerungsneuregelungsgesetzes auf Rechtschreibfehler zu pruefen, als ihm einfiel, dass die selben Fehler auch schon im Rindfleischetikettierungsüberwachungsaufgabenübe rtragungsgesetz und im Förderungshöchstdauerüberschreitungsantragsform ularerläuterungsschreiben enthalten waren.

No prob.



-t

You forgot the German word for chipmunk.

Nordamerikanischesgestreifteseichhoernchen. (and no, das Chipmunk isn't really German)

Surely you can fit that into your sentence above...

[anthonyvthc]

Two things which I believe are not quite right here:
1. If a family member gives you a vehicle, you do not have to pay taxes on it (at least in Vermont and Nevada). I have bought cars off of family members which we just claimed were gifts and I did not have to pay taxes on them. There is a particular form which must be completed for this to occur.
2. Prizes of less than $1,200 do not need to be claimed (at least not here in Vegas). I work in a bar with video poker machines. Any prize administered over $1200 must be accompanied by a tax claim form. This is why many casinos offer slots with $1,199 top prizes.
If anyone disagrees with any of this, please let me know.

[Person Man]

Originally Posted by anthonyvthc

Two things which I believe are not quite right here:
1. If a family member gives you a vehicle, you do not have to pay taxes on it (at least in Vermont and Nevada). I have bought cars off of family members which we just claimed were gifts and I did not have to pay taxes on them. There is a particular form which must be completed for this to occur.
2. Prizes of less than $1,200 do not need to be claimed (at least not here in Vegas). I work in a bar with video poker machines. Any prize administered over $1200 must be accompanied by a tax claim form. This is why many casinos offer slots with $1,199 top prizes.
If anyone disagrees with any of this, please let me know.

None of that is in dispute.

Richard Hatch won $1 million. That is taxed by the government as income.

Oprah's audience members were given approx $12,000 - $15,000 cars. Oprah is not family. The cars were subject to tax.

[Person Man]

I give up. FTFF!

[porieux]

...

[anthonyvthc]

Originally Posted by Person Man

None of that is in dispute.

Richard Hatch won $1 million. That is taxed by the government as income.

Oprah's audience members were given approx $12,000 - $15,000 cars. Oprah is not family. The cars were subject to tax.

I was actually referring to some of the other comments made in the thread, but thank you.