So the rich don't pay their fair share?

unsung

Say what??!!??


http://thelibertarianrepublic.com/gover ... z2kFmTJuEz

dignin

I weep for him

Godfather.

that's called rape and the government fucks you hard and if you don't allow yourself to be a victim you will be arrested and your life left pennyless, that's just how it's done and nobody has a choice other than to leave the country.


Godfather.

JTH

Godfather. wrote:

that's called rape and the government fucks you hard and if you don't allow yourself to be a victim you will be arrested and your life left pennyless, that's just how it's done and nobody has a choice other than to leave the country.


Godfather.

Kobe should demand a trade to the Cayman Islands.

ajedigecko

Is this why lebron went to florida?

And why dwight went to texas?

Hugh Freaking Dillon

no wonder so many celebrities get nailed for tax evasion. I wouldn't give up $14 million either.

Pingfah

Godfather. wrote:

that's called rape

It's really nothing like rape. Ask Kobe, he knows all about that.

inmytree

Godfather. wrote:

that's called rape and the government fucks you hard and if you don't allow yourself to be a victim you will be arrested and your life left pennyless, that's just how it's done and nobody has a choice other than to leave the country.


Godfather.

oh, the drama...

Jason P

ajedigecko wrote:

Is this why lebron went to florida?

And why dwight went to texas?

Lebron left because ... well, let's face it, he was playing in Cleveland. It was only a matter of time before his knee exploded or a grand piano fell on his head.

Dwight left because Dwight is inmature and has a super ego and couldn't stand playing second fiddle to Black Mamba. I think he left sizable money on the table cause the Lakers could offer a bigger max deal.

I'm not sure how many pro atheltes actually put much thought and consideration into tax structures and codes. They treat money like a common commodity, much like tap water.

even flow - question mark

Kobe Inc. or Kobe Ltd. and he wouldn't be paying a drop of tax. I think that is what most of the tax paying public rip on.

JOEJOEJOE

even flow - question mark wrote:

Kobe Inc. or Kobe Ltd. and he wouldn't be paying a drop of tax. I think that is what most of the tax paying public rip on.

If the NBA allowed players to incorporate, as opposed to being employees of thier teams, Kobe would derive moderately more benefit out of his basketball-related expenses. However, he would still end up paying almost the same amount of tax because he'd have to pay himself a salary at the end of the year in order to avoid "personal service corporation" tax. He would also be on the hook for both the employer's and employee's portion of the payroll taxes related to the salary he'd pay himself out of his corporation.

In regards to playing in Texas or Florida, the players still have to pay tax to the states/cities they play while their team is on the road. The average NBA player must file over 20 state/city tax returns every year!

Godfather.

Pingfah wrote:

Godfather. wrote:

that's called rape

It's really nothing like rape. Ask Kobe, he knows all about that.

dude I don't know if I should laugh or not but that was some funny stuff !!!!


Godfather.

brianlux

I can't tell you how many nights I've lost sleep thinking about how tough multimillionaires have it. My god, it must be tough. I just can't imagine.

hedonist

Caveat: I don't know much about the particulars of how this percentage was calculated or justified...but what if us regular Joes got hit with a 57% rate?

Why would those who legitimately earn a high salary be scoffed at solely because of that?

Anyone watch Kobe et al on a regular basis? If anyone feels athletes, entertainers, musicians and the like are overpaid, maybe we shouldn't contribute to their salary. Don't buy into what they offer...don't buy into their sponsors.

Maybe he's fine with paying it, I don't know. But it strikes me as scary footing to say it's OK - or over-lookable, or even warranted - for some, but not for others.

I guess it's the principle of it, to me.

brianlux

I think we are fortunate in that because we live in a society that allows people to make more money than they could ever possibly need at least we (still, sort of) have the ability to voice our feelings about that and my feeling is that I don't give two shits about someone making multiple millions of dollars getting taxed a large percentage. If the system allows them to be stinking rich they should have to pay into that system a stinking lot of money.

I will add this- in some rare cases I find it beneficial for people to be stinking rich when they do wonderfully sweet scented things with their money. Those are rare exceptions. I hope some of my favorite big named artists still think that way though I wonder about that these days.

As for supporting those artists, entertainers, athletes and the like, people like me should give that a second thought. In fact, I have been contemplating that though quite a bit lately with regard to some of the big name entertainers I've supported, especially when there are great smaller name individuals and groups who equally or better deserve my dollars. The Greenback Illness creeps in very easily sometimes. The ice is getting thin here- I'd better move on.

hedonist

brianlux wrote:

I think we are fortunate in that because we live in a society that allows people to make more money than they could ever possibly need at least we (still, sort of) have the ability to voice our feelings about that and my feeling is that I don't give two shits about someone making multiple millions of dollars getting taxed a large percentage. If the system allows them to be stinking rich they should have to pay into that system a stinking lot of money.

I will add this- in some rare cases I find it beneficial for people to be stinking rich when they do wonderfully sweet scented things with their money. Those are rare exceptions. I hope some of my favorite big named artists still think that way though I wonder about that these days.

As for supporting those artists, entertainers, athletes and the like, people like me should give that a second thought. In fact, I have been contemplating that though quite a bit lately with regard to some of the big name entertainers I've supported, especially when there are great smaller name individuals and groups who equally or better deserve my dollars. The Greenback Illness creeps in very easily sometimes. The ice is getting thin here- I'd better move on.

I hear you, somewhat, though aren't WE are the system?

I think many of those who are stinking rich do much that's worthwhile and charitable - of their own accord. It's really not a rarity, either. I don't know, maybe it's perception?

But yes, we all are fortunate to be able to speak our minds, freely. And to give (or not) a shit or two

Cosmo

Let's temper the hysteria with some additional facts:
http://www.celebritynetworth.com/riches ... net-worth/

Kobe has earned more than $200 Million in his salary as a Laker. This does not include any endorsement dollars made.
His annual salary is about $25 Million per year. This year, his salary is in the form of a lump sum payment. Imagine what your tax liability would be if your employer paid your annual salary in one check. It'd be a lot, right? Just like that check you get at the end of the year that included your annual bonus as well as the week off for Christmas. You take a big hit when you look at the gross payment... minus the deductions and see the net value of the check. Robbery, right?
...
But, don't you reconcile the difference when you file your taxes at the end of the year? It works for me. That giant sum they withheld from my bonus/vacation check inflated my tax withholdings and I get a return, rather than having to pay a balance owed the government.
...
I'm not saying it's right or wrong... i'm saying it's fair. Sure, Kobe is paying a hell of a lot more in taxes than me... but, I haven't earned $200 million over the past 16 years. I don't know how you all feel... but, $200 million is a lot of fucking money. I hope Kobe has been saving most of that because it's always a good thing to have a savings account. I think Kobe will do just fine.
I'm pretty sure Kobe doesn't have to worry about having to eat the same food as his cat when he reaches age 85. The for the rest of us... depending on how much we save... or don't save... Friskies Giblit Feast might be on the future menu.

bootlegger10

I don't think many people are against paying taxes. There is so much government waste and corruption though. That generates most of the anger comes from with taxpayers. 57%? That is borderline theft though.

Cosmo

bootlegger10 wrote:

I don't think many people are against paying taxes. There is so much government waste and corruption though. That generates most of the anger comes from with taxpayers. 57%? That is borderline theft though.

...
Government waste... it all depends on how 'Waste' is defined.
Example, if the Department Of Defense procures 100 fighter jets... although it does not need any more jets of that type in its inventory... is that waste?
It depends. The jobs generated in the private sector by the prime contractor... who hires everything from engineers to mechanics to the host of support personel... number in the thousands. Add the sub-contractors that build avionic systems, ejection seats, landing gear, engines, hydraulic and electrical systems components that span several states and hundreds of congressional districts.
All of there jobs are focused on building... then maintaining 100 jets that the military does not need.. at $130 million a copy.
...
Is that waste?
...
It all depend on the congressional district you live in and if your community benefits from the jobs.

bootlegger10

The government collects enough tax revenue no matter what agenda is supported, except for extreme socialism.

Cliffy6745

A. I'd love to see where this 57% number is coming from. The article didn't seem to cite dick

B. Kobe is a fucking moron for negotiating to get it in a lump sum. Narcissism at its finest, would be awesome of it bit him in the ass