CNN reported today on the sentencing of Wesley Snipes.
Actor Wesley Snipes was sentenced to three years in prison and fined up to $5 million Thursday for failing to file federal tax returns.
It was the maximim sentence possible under federal sentencing guidelines.
Prosecutors last week urged U.S. District Judge William Hodges in Ocala, Florida, to sentence Snipes to the maximum penalty to demonstrate to taxpayers that refusal to pay income taxes carries severe penalties.
"The law is very clear: People must pay their taxes," Internal Revenue Service Commissioner Douglas Shulman said. "There is no secret formula that eliminates a person's tax obligations."
Of course, the IRS calls our tax system "voluntary."
Yes indeed. We can volunteer to pay taxes, or we can volunteer to go to prison. Right, Wesley?
2 comments:
"Prosecutors... urged... Judge William Hodges... to sentence Snipes to the maximum penalty to demonstrate to taxpayers..."
I don't believe it's the job of prosecutors or judges to make examples out of famous people. They should get the same treatment as anyone else.
I understand that tax evaders generally do not get the maximum sentence.
Chris,
I understand that tax evaders generally do not get the maximum sentence.
Yes, I believe you're right. With the exception of flagrant violators and those people who think the 16th Amendment wasn't properly ratified, so they advise other people not to pay their taxes. I got the impression that Snipes had fallen in with the latter.
During my brief stint as a Libertarian, I met a guy who was proud of not paying any income tax. He was of the "Invalid 16th Amendment" crowd. He managed it by sponging off his Old Lady, to whom he wasn't married. She paid taxes.
Too bad Wesley Snipes couldn't use this guy's excuse.
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