Sarah Palin-Tax Dodger?

[zimm]

this would not bode well for a White House Run...

Records: Palin cabins not noted in tax assessments
AP


ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Records show that Sarah Palin hasn't paid any property taxes on cabins that have been built on two backcountry plots partially owned by the former Alaska governor.

There are no tax assessments for the two-story, house-sized cabins, a workshop and a sauna spotted Thursday in an aerial survey. Property taxes totaling $156.13 were paid on the land in 2009 — but that bill did not include anything for the structures because the local assessor didn't know about the new construction nearly 100 miles north of Anchorage.

The issue has attracted the attention of local tax officials who conducted the scheduled aerial survey of properties in the area on Thursday. The area is accessible only by floatplane, snowmobile or four-wheeler.

Dave Dunivan, the assessor for the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, said such a survey had not been done there in five years, before construction started on the cabins.

Palin's attorney, Thomas Van Flein, said it is not the responsibility of property owners to report structures that go up on their land.

"It is the borough's job," he said in an e-mail. "The property taxes on this parcel are fully paid and have never been delinquent."

Dunivan, however, said owners are required by state law to report any omissions or errors in their tax assessments. Often, the borough learns of new structures in remote areas when neighbors report them. Dunivan said no one has called the borough on the Palin lots, among many in the region to add structures, the flyover survey found.

"Typically, if there are errors, we hear from owners," he said. "If there are omissions, we don't. Every once in a while we do have someone call us about omissions, but not often."

The properties are located along Safari Lake — an undeveloped area located near Denali State Park — and owned by Palin, her husband Todd and a family friend, Scott Richter. According to borough records, the tax assessments are sent to Richter's post office box in Big Lake.

There is no phone listing in Alaska for Richter and he could not be reached Thursday.

The matter first appeared Wednesday on an Alaska political blog site, Mudflats, which has been critical of Palin, the 2008 Republican vice presidential candidate. Palin resigned as governor last summer and has since written a best-selling memoir. She signed on as a Fox News commentator last month.

"This is another blatant attempt to manufacture a story about the Palins following more defamatory swipes," Palin's spokeswoman Meghan Stapleton said in an e-mail to The Associated Press.

Dunivan said a photo of a large cabin posted on the Mudflats site — and later reported on the Huffington Post Web site — is one of the structures spotted in the flyover.

Van Flein said work is still being done on the cabins, but both are usable. He said construction began on one of the cabins in 2006, but he didn't know when construction started on the second one.

The two parcels of land, separated by one lot, total 25 acres and had a combined value of $30,000 in 2007 through 2009, according to assessment records. Dunivan said the data collected in Thursday's survey will be calculated into 2010 assessment notices being mailed out at the end of the month.

It's too soon to estimate how much the structures will increase the taxes due, Dunivan said.

The cabins are the size of large homes rather than the average backcountry cabin, but square footage estimates were not immediately available.

Local real estate broker, Claus Steigler, said most cabins in the area are closer to the 500-square-foot range. Because they are in a hard to reach area, they generally sell for only $40,000 to $60,000, including the land.

One large log cabin reachable by road is listed at $229,000, but it's still on the market after two years, Steigler said.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100205/...property_taxes

[RedRamage]

In other news, Obama was reported to have exceeded the speed limit at one point while he was driving...

[TheCouga]

Yup. Tax evasion = speeding.

[Biff Mayhem]

Originally Posted by TheCouga

Yup. Tax evasion = speeding.

I'm no Palin apologist but...........

Is it tax evasion if there were no assessment for the outbuildings?

[Melody]

Originally Posted by Biff Mayhem

I'm no Palin apologist but...........

Is it tax evasion if there were no assessment for the outbuildings?

Partly constructed outbuildings, no less, on property evidently administered by their partner.

[smr-nj]

So she has no culpability?

Ignorance is bliss?

[Auburndale Ray]

It's obvious...
She is the Devil...

[Oblong]

At least now she qualifies for Obama's cabinet.

[Melody]

No more culpability than Obama had in the Rezko deal. I'd say less if it is questionable whether these are taxable, being that they are under construction rather than completed buildings, and that it was being handled by another person. I'm no Alaska tax expert, and I have to say that Huffington Post bloggers, particularly this Mudflats stalker aren't going to be what I'd consider a reliable source on what the reality of this situation is.

[billms]

If guilty this would help her with the teabaggers and current bag of assorted nuts that form the core of the republican party.

Remember, not paying your taxes is patriotic.

[lionstigersand...]

Originally Posted by Oblong

At least now she qualifies for Obama's cabinet.

God damn it! I wanted that one.

[Melody]

Originally Posted by Oblong

At least now she qualifies for Obama's cabinet.

No kidding. Blame Turbotax, pay back taxes with no penalty, and it's all good.

[smr-nj]

I didn't realize Obama was now part of this question, but whatever. It seems no discussion of one person can be done without an opposite being bring up.

My question/comment was more to the point of this: If you or I didn't report something, could we use the "I didn't know about it" excuse? or "another person was handling it"?

[TheCouga]

Originally Posted by billms

If guilty this would help her with the teabaggers and current bag of assorted nuts that form the core of the republican party.

Remember, not paying your taxes is patriotic.

I was just thinking about that...

It's patriotic to destroy our government, the only obstacle between what we have now and a complete big industry takeover of this country. Becuase, as you know, being ruled by big industry = freedom. It's in the Constitution if you don't believe me.

[Melody]

Originally Posted by smr-nj

I didn't realize Obama was now part of this question, but whatever. It seems no discussion of one person can be done without an opposite being bring up.

My question/comment was more to the point of this: If you or I didn't report something, could we use the "I didn't know about it" excuse? or "another person was handling it"?

If they judge that back taxes are owed, it would probably be considered a mitigating factor in determining any penalty especially if someone else is running things and they are merely investors.

But if this is to be considered a disqualification for POTUS, certainly a similar situation relating to the sitting president is part of the question.

[Oblong]

Originally Posted by smr-nj

I didn't realize Obama was now part of this question, but whatever. It seems no discussion of one person can be done without an opposite being bring up.

My question/comment was more to the point of this: If you or I didn't report something, could we use the "I didn't know about it" excuse? or "another person was handling it"?

Depends if you want to work for Obama. That was my point.

The original thread referred to a potential White House run. I don't see that as an obstacle since it doesn't apparantly matter if you want to work directly for the person in the White House.

[Ingefanclub]

Originally Posted by smr-nj

I didn't realize Obama was now part of this question, but whatever. It seems no discussion of one person can be done without an opposite being bring up.

My question/comment was more to the point of this: If you or I didn't report something, could we use the "I didn't know about it" excuse? or "another person was handling it"?

As a homeowner I learned pretty quick how to escape assessments. I put in a central air conditioner in 2003 and filed for an electrical permit from my township (to get the new wiring installed for the C/A unit).... well my township then raised my house assessment value by $4,000. I took the case to tax court showing a bill that clearly showed my central air unit cost $2,000.
I lost the case because the judge stated I needed more than one estimate.

So now I want to build a deck in my back yard. No way am I telling the township about my deck. They will have to come find it if they want taxes on it.

[MrDeeds]

Originally Posted by TheCouga

I was just thinking about that...

It's patriotic to destroy our government, the only obstacle between what we have now and a complete big industry takeover of this country. Becuase, as you know, being ruled by big industry = freedom. It's in the Constitution if you don't believe me.

We get it. Republicans and evil right wingers want to destroy this country. Do you have to point this out in every thread?

[MrDeeds]

With all the investigative reporters that the AP has up there, this is the best they could come up with? I think it's time to move on....

[billms]

Do you really not see why they would ask for more than one estimate? That would be a pretty sweet loophole for scamming the tax man on the "up and up" - not something crude like just stealing as you plan on doing.

[billms]

Originally Posted by MrDeeds

With all the investigative reporters that the AP has up there, this is the best they could come up with? I think it's time to move on....

[eastside billee]

Well, if this is true, that Sarah Palin is a tax evader it seems logical that Obama should now appoint her to his cabinet in some capacity.

[TheCouga]

Originally Posted by MrDeeds

We get it. Republicans and evil right wingers want to destroy this country. Do you have to point this out in every thread?

Yes, I do.

[DrWho17]

Originally Posted by smr-nj

So she has no culpability?

Ignorance is bliss?

If it's good enough for the chairman of ways and means and the treasury secretary, it should be fine for the private citizen who might owe a few 100 more dollars if the tax assessor does their job correctly next time. Or did I miss the part where you were calling for them to take culpability for the blatent tax dodging.

[smr-nj]

Originally Posted by DrWho17

If it's good enough for the chairman of ways and means and the treasury secretary, it should be fine for the private citizen who might owe a few 100 more dollars if the tax assessor does their job correctly next time. Or did I miss the part where you were calling for them to take culpability for the blatent tax dodging.

See??
This is what is making me crazy!
I am NOT looking at one side versus the other.

I am asking if something were supposed to be reported, and it wasn't because she wasn't aware of it, or because she thought a partner was taking care of it - in either case, does that mean she has no responsibility?

Why does my post need to be retorted with "well, the other side did it".

Who the **** cares????

[smr-nj]

TRuthfully, I think lately most threads in this political forum have ceased having any value as venues for discussions of topics.

They've all melted into partisan sniping.

What's the point.

[TheCouga]

Originally Posted by DrWho17

If it's good enough for the chairman of ways and means and the treasury secretary, it should be fine for the private citizen who might owe a few 100 more dollars if the tax assessor does their job correctly next time. Or did I miss the part where you were calling for them to take culpability for the blatent tax dodging.

If you're looking for liberals who defended the Geithner appointment to prove some sort of hypocrisy, you won't find many. I don't know a single one who liked Geithner or defended his failure to pay taxes, and I know a lot of liberals.

[Mark The Shark]

Originally Posted by MrDeeds

We get it. Republicans and evil right wingers want to destroy this country. Do you have to point this out in every thread?

I think he's got a macro for it.

[TheCouga]

Originally Posted by smr-nj

TRuthfully, I think lately most threads in this political forum have ceased having any value as venues for discussions of topics.

They've all melted into partisan sniping.

What's the point.

I thought the How To Get Our Democracy Back one was a good one, and it has potential.

[TheCouga]

Originally Posted by Mark The Shark

I think he's got a macro for it.

I'll make a deal with you. As soon as right-leaning members of this board cease with the "big government takeover socialist" nonsense, then I'll stop.

As for now, I will continue pointing out that the federal government in this country has very, very little power compared to big industry, and that you guys are fighting windmills if you think it's government that is the problem. We aren't governed by government, we're governed by by entrenched private interests that own our government. The Fed is a private enterprise, not a part of our government.

[Melody]

I'm no Palin fan. I'm frankly sick of hearing about her. I don't suppose I could say that I would never vote for her because I've said that of McCain and ... well ...

But this is a little "d" deal, potentially absolutely nothing, and it's being blown all out of proportion by the same bunch whom we have to thank for the "Trig is Sarah's grandchild" foolishness citing a stalker blogger who is downright pathological relative to Palin. It was clearly posted to invite exactly the tone that the thread has taken.

And for the record, I defended Obama on threads relative to his mortgage.

[smr-nj]

Where is it being blown out of proportion?
It's a yahoo news story.

[Auburndale Ray]

Be careful...
The IRS is buying SHOTGUNS...

IRS Buying Shotguns

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) intends to purchase sixty Remington Model 870 Police RAMAC #24587 12 gauge pump-action shotguns for the Criminal Investigation Division. The Remington parkerized shotguns, with fourteen inch barrel, modified choke, Wilson Combat Ghost Ring rear sight and XS4 Contour Bead front sight, Knoxx Reduced Recoil Adjustable Stock, and Speedfeed ribbed black forend, are designated as the only shotguns authorized for IRS duty based on compatibility with IRS existing shotgun inventory, certified armorer and combat training and protocol, maintenance, and parts.

[DrWho17]

Originally Posted by smr-nj

See??
This is what is making me crazy!
I am NOT looking at one side versus the other.

I am asking if something were supposed to be reported, and it wasn't because she wasn't aware of it, or because she thought a partner was taking care of it - in either case, does that mean she has no responsibility?

Why does my post need to be retorted with "well, the other side did it".

Who the **** cares????

Exactly, that's why I pointed out the hypocrisy in your statement. It's not right if either side does it, whether it is your guy or not, I'm mocking your point about how we should be expected to hold Palin accountable, while in another thread arguing that Geitner/Rangel should get a pass.

[RedRamage]

Originally Posted by smr-nj

I didn't realize Obama was now part of this question, but whatever. It seems no discussion of one person can be done without an opposite being bring up.

My question/comment was more to the point of this: If you or I didn't report something, could we use the "I didn't know about it" excuse? or "another person was handling it"?

Yes and No.

I'm sure legally she's still responsible and should/will pay any taxes owed along with any penalties is there are any, so from a strictly legal sense, then the answer is Yes.

Now, on the other hand, is it right to call her a tax dodger is this is property that is handled by someone else? I can't call her on the carpet morally for a mistake that someone else made. Let's say that I tell me wife that I'm going to be in charge of handling our taxes and for five years I simply don't pay 'em. She asks me every year: "Did you do the taxes and pay our bill?" "Yes, honey! All taken care of!"

Now, is she legally responsible for those taxes? You betcha! But can you honestly call her a tax dodger? You might call her a little stupid for trusting me, especially if I have a shady past with handling other responsibilities. But she certainly never sought to evade paying taxes.

[RedRamage]

Originally Posted by smr-nj

TRuthfully, I think lately most threads in this political forum have ceased having any value as venues for discussions of topics.

They've all melted into partisan sniping.

What's the point.

I'm with you there!

[billms]

Originally Posted by DrWho17

Exactly, that's why I pointed out the hypocrisy in your statement. It's not right if either side does it, whether it is your guy or not, I'm mocking your point about how we should be expected to hold Palin accountable, while in another thread arguing that Geitner/Rangel should get a pass.

She asked a question - she wasn't making a statement and thus there is no hypocrisy.

You are mocking something she did not say. She even said that clearly and you still appeared to miss the point.

So do you know if the "I didn't know" excuse in such a case would work with the IRS?

[smr-nj]

Originally Posted by DrWho17

Exactly, that's why I pointed out the hypocrisy in your statement. It's not right if either side does it, whether it is your guy or not,

I'm mocking your point about how we should be expected to hold Palin accountable, while in another thread arguing that Geitner/Rangel should get a pass.

I did that?

[smr-nj]

Originally Posted by RedRamage

Yes and No.

I'm sure legally she's still responsible and should/will pay any taxes owed along with any penalties is there are any, so from a strictly legal sense, then the answer is Yes.

Now, on the other hand, is it right to call her a tax dodger is this is property that is handled by someone else? I can't call her on the carpet morally for a mistake that someone else made. Let's say that I tell me wife that I'm going to be in charge of handling our taxes and for five years I simply don't pay 'em. She asks me every year: "Did you do the taxes and pay our bill?" "Yes, honey! All taken care of!"

Now, is she legally responsible for those taxes? You betcha! But can you honestly call her a tax dodger? You might call her a little stupid for trusting me, especially if I have a shady past with handling other responsibilities. But she certainly never sought to evade paying taxes.

I didn't call her a tax dodger. The thread maker did.
I asked about her culpability, regardless of whether it was purposely or not.

Wow.
I think people need to look at the posts that are being made, and praise or damn the opinion based on what they wrote, not on what other people have written.

[RedRamage]

Originally Posted by smr-nj

I didn't call her a tax dodger. The thread maker did.
I asked about her culpability, regardless of whether it was purposely or not.

Wow.
I think people need to look at the posts that are being made, and praise or damn the opinion based on what they wrote, not on what other people have written.

I certainly wasn't trying to put words in your mouth Sue. I was responding to this question of yours:

My question/comment was more to the point of this: If you or I didn't report something, could we use the "I didn't know about it" excuse? or "another person was handling it"?

You didn't really specify to whom we were using the excuse, so I responding in a couple of ways. The excuse of "I didn't know about it" would certainly not fly with the Alaska Tax Revenue service. But I a court of public opinion, I think it could fly.

Now, additionally, I want props for arguing the case without bringing up the democrats who didn't pay their taxes!