Actor Stephen Baldwin Arrested for Failing to Pay Income Taxes

patch.com ^ | 12-6-12 | William Demarest

[Mozilla]

Actor Stephen Baldwin has been arrested on a charge of Repeated Failure to File Personal Income Tax Returns, a class “E” Felony, according to Rockland County District Attorney Thomas P. Zugibe and New York State Commissioner of Taxation and Finance Thomas H. Mattox.

Baldwin, 46, a resident of Upper Grandview in Rockland County, is accused of failing to file New York State Personal Income Tax Returns for years 2008, 2009 and 2010. In total, Baldwin’s tax liability to the State of New York, including penalties and interests, is more than $350,000.

“At a time when Rockland County and New York State face severe fiscal shortfalls, we cannot afford to allow wealthy residents to break the law by cheating on their taxes," Zugibe said. "The defendant's repetitive failure to file returns and pay taxes over a period of several years contributes to the sweeping cutbacks and closures in local government and in our schools. My Office will continue to investigate and prosecute those who cheat our tax system for their personal gain.”

[Tublecane]

Because you are playing the game whether you want to or not.

[mwilli20]

tax evasion and not filing are different things.

If the result of not filing is paying less taxes that you owe, you are guilty of tax evasion.

[TigersEye]

Is Stephen going Galt?

[jammer]

On his Titter page he says he’s been trying to work things out for some time. Whatever that means.

I assume that he's been arguing with the state over how to allocate his revenue between different states. That's a common problem in this age of voracious tax appetites and people who work/earn money in different states.

California wants taxes on 100% of his revenue, whether earned in New York or California. New York wants taxes on 100% of his revenue, whether earned in New York or California. I don't know that this is the case, but I would place a wager that it is. As I say, it's not uncommon.

An additional factor that I've run into is incompetence (perhaps, but perhaps malevolence targeted at Obama detractors) on the part of states (Michigan) that sent out notices of non-filing back to 2008. Of course, I had copies of the filings with canceled checks, and of course the state imputed income and tax that I should pay.

It's simply politically motivated harassment, IMO.

[bjorn14]

I know a gal who is in her mid-40’s and has never, ever filed a 1040 US tax return. I think she filed one state income tax form to prove state residency for in-state tuition purposes. She hasn’t had a ‘real job’ in over 10 years. She’s had income taxes deducted but never bothered to collect her refund.

Could she go to jail?

[Quick Shot]

My understanding of the law is as follows; irs not NY. You can be jailed for not filing paperwork, or filing false paperwork. You can not be put in jail for not paying your taxes if you file. The key is to file to stay out of jail. Also the penalty is 25% on not file, 10 to 15% for not paying.
I am not a CPA and do not play one on TV.

[wtc911]

The guy hasn’t paid his taxes in years...is that a conservative value?

[Hotlanta Mike]

If possible he should file a discrimination lawsuit against the state for having arrested him (a conservative) while they chose not to arrest Timothy Geithner for failing to pay back taxes while working at the New York Fed.

[Hotlanta Mike]

Buffett, apparently doesn’t want to pay HIS fair share.