And here is where the experts prove the opinion letter released by Palin is complete BS:

Undoubtedly the most amazing (brazen?) aspect of Mr. Olsen's opinion letter [the letter Palin is using as her defense] is that he cites absolutely no law in the four pages to support his conclusions -- no code or regulation sections, cases, or rulings.

WA'al you folks know that the hick tax preparers up in Alaska aren't up to the high standards maintained in "the lower 48." Now that they're under scrutiny, they'll take care and redo the returns. I'm reasonably certain that there was no fraud involved, and that maybe someone with the training of an H&R Block clerk, or the Alaska equivalent, prepared a somewhat complicated return.

I wonder if there is a community standards rule as there is for doctors sued for medical malpractice.

You know the "different strokes for different folks" standard that is now used.

Johnson, no one said anything about fraud; however, she could be determined to be negligent. What's worse is the "expert" who wrote the opinion defending her position could be in more trouble than Palin herself.

I'd like to see what happens if I decide to write an "opinion" letter to the IRS telling them they're all wrong and that my "opinion" letter should settle the matter. Three guesses what would happen to me. LOL

"Three guesses what would happen to me. LOL"

Posted by CalifChris

Handcuffs have better uses.

well is the IRS going to get the palins or does this elistist chick get out of paying her taxes too.

.... maybe someone with the training of an H&R Block clerk, or the Alaska equivalent, prepared a somewhat complicated return.

Johnson- you sound as if you are describing Sarah Palin's qualifications to be Vice President.

I've never seen an opinion letter that cited no statute, no case law, not a single citation in the entire thing. That is really pathetic.

John McCain's lack of judgement in choosing Sarah Palin is being revealed every day. One would think that they would at least have reviewed her income tax returns but apparently not. Elect McCain and I think Palin might be the first of many incompetents he would have in his administration.

Smoke and mirrors.....

Takietz,

So tax evasion is okay? Would you say that if it was Barrack?

Like I said Joe, he, Olsen, may be in more trouble than she is. For what it's worth, I don't think she was negligent, but I can see where the IRS could/may assert negligence. If I were her I would amend and pay quickly.

Leave Sarah alone. She's saving that money so her and Todd can escape when Putin comes riding up over the horizon.

She's an idiot, just like takeitez, you betcha (wink, wink)!!!!

I'm surprised the Palins didn't do the easy thing here and file an amended return before releasing their tax returns. It's pretty clear they made some mistakes, and they're only damaging if not corrected.

Instead, the McCain campaign released this weird letter with their returns that seeks to redefine the law so they didn't do anything wrong. Where have we heard that story before?

One of the reasons McCain is tanking is because of amateur hour stuff like this.

Leave Sarah alone. She's saving that money so her and Todd can escape when Putin comes riding up over the horizon.

That's why Todd spends so much time snowmobile racing. That's how they plan to escape when Putin gets all Red Dawn on their ass.

I did not say tax evasion, I meant nitpicking. If there is any inadvertent errors, they can be corrected.

SMOKE AND MIRRORS.

Red Dawn, alright I'll have to give you a FF for that one Rogers. I love that movie.

Taxman, whether they paid him to say what they wanted or if he really is that stupid, I would argue that he has committed malpractice. I don't know what the rules are in Washington, DC with that kind of garbage but in Illinois people are punished for that.

Thing is, there are so many tax court cases out there that he could have done some basic research and found some support for his position. The fact that he didn't makes it look a lot worse.

Does sarah have anything else she never told McCadaver?

You betcha!

Sarah marches on --- the greater the vitriol the clearer the evidence that liberals have been crushed and desperately angry.

"Sarah marches on --- the greater the vitriol the clearer the evidence that liberals have been crushed and desperately angry."

Has anyone ever seen Baghdad Bob and TAKITEZ together???? I'm thinking they are one and the same.

BTW how far into the debate before McNasty loses it??? I say about 45 minutes.

because of amateur hour stuff like this

Even Rove is shaking his head.

Schmidt obviously isn't ready for prime time.

"BTW how far into the debate before McNasty loses it??? I say about 45 minutes."

Debate's what, Danni, 90 minutes? I think halfway through it around the time one ought to start really paying attention to McCain. I think you're in the neighborhood: maybe at the 55 minute mark, but doubtful he can hold himself together much past that. What'll be interesting to see is which of McCain's numereous buttons Obama decides to fiddle with. Will it be "erratic"? Oh, yes, definitely he'll use the word "erratic." How about "unpresidential"? "Unwise"? "Irresponsible"? "Unhelpful"? And Obama's bound to hammer him on his bogus claim to being a "maverick."

#23 | Posted by takitez at 2008-10-07 09:53 AM |

Too bad Cecil B. DeMille is dead.
He could've used you to write turgid prologues for insipid biblical epics.

Has anyone ever seen Baghdad Bob and TAKITEZ together????

WTF ever happened to Bagdad Bob, really? I figured he was a shoe-in for a commentator's position on Faux News.

I did not say tax evasion, I meant nitpicking. If there is any inadvertent errors, they can be corrected.

SMOKE AND MIRRORS.

#17 | Posted by takitez at 2008-10-07 09:30 AM

Poor Takitsleazy! Where there is smoke there is usually fire.

Trying so hard to "cling" to the myth of Sarah the Great Moose Hunter! You just love those MYTHS huh?

Sure these "errors" can be corrected. But, would they have been had it not been brought to her attention? Probably not.

And these "errors" in her taxes are indicative of the type of errors she would have in her economic proposals too. She can't properly file her own taxes how can she manage to deal with the entire country? I expect my leaders tax returns to be perfect as there is NO excuse for not knowing these things or hiring someone that does.

Finally, if it were you or I the IRS would throw the book it us.

I do believe fraud was involved as it was a fraudulent misrepresentation of her income in order to pay less taxes (further evidenced by her feeble attempts at justifying her actions). I also believe that not enough attention is being paid to her fraudulent travel vouchers anyway.

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has billed taxpayers for 312 nights spent in her own home during her first 19 months in office, charging a "per diem" allowance intended to cover meals and incidental expenses while traveling on state business.

The governor also has charged the state for travel expenses to take her children on official out-of-town missions. And her husband, Todd, has billed the state for expenses and a daily allowance for trips he makes on official business for his wife.

This is called FRAUD if she was not entitled to get this per diem.

Sarah Palin is a Fraud...probably why Sleazy luvs her so.

BTW how far into the debate before McNasty loses it??? I say about 45 minutes.

#25 | Posted by danni

Danni,

He has already lost it.

He is getting more desperate with every single day and every new poll showing him sinking further and further away from his dream.

Look for him to shoot out a couple of television sets on election night. Hopefully Cindy will be nowhere near him that day, I fear we won't be seeing her in public anytime soon after that.

This is called FRAUD if she was not entitled to get this per diem.

Donner,

In order for the IRS to prevail in a fraud claim, they need to prove fraudulent intent which is hard to do.

The IRS could charge tax evasion which is a felony or willful failure to pay tax. However they would have to show that Palin's knew they had to pay tax on the understatements and chose not to.

More likely would be late filing penalty and interest.

Good for her, I applaud anyone that does not pay taxes. Not enough to vote for her but.. I wish I had the guts to not pay taxes. I don't support war, wall street or anything else they use my money for.

"I applaud anyone that does not pay taxes."

Legally, or illegally?

If shes charging the tax payer to stay in her home that is wrong.

But if she is refusing to pay income taxes on the wages she earned than good for her. Nobody should pay income tax.

The legality of it is irregardless.. Laws are not related to morals (at one time it was the law to send Japanese Americans to internment camps, laws are NOT moral) the income tax is theft and I believe theft is immoral. Same as if she is charging people to stay in hr home.. that is also theft.

Donner,

In order for the IRS to prevail in a fraud claim, they need to prove fraudulent intent which is hard to do.

Well, maybe, but, probably not. If she took the money and cashed the check and if she signed travel documents that allowed her to get paid then she has committed fraud in order to receive something she was not entitled to. The intent is implied. There is usually a statement right at the bottom of the form which spells out the penalty for filling FALSE CLAIMS. This was a false claim.

I cannot see how she thinks she was entitled to money for travel per diem when in fact she was staying in her OWN HOUSE. I have filed travel vouchers myself and I know how this works. It would require a whole shitload of other documents and authorizations to receive even partial per diem while living in your own home. This is usually disallowed as it is fraught with problems.

Ignorance is no excuse when filing travel vouchers...you better know what you are doing or you could end up commiting a felony which it looks like she did. Or, is it that she really does not have clue what she is doing? Either way that is pretty fucked up for a potential VP of the US.

But, I understand that when these types of charges are filed they usually go with what is easiest to get a conviction on which would be negligence.

So, at minimum she is negligent. Add that to McBush who has been documented by Congress as "Having Poor Judgment" and what do you have?

A Presidential candidate with Poor Judgment running with a Negligent VP!

Doesn't sound like much of a Change from what we already have to me.

She is fooling fewer and fewer people as the days pass.

Some people are fooled all of the time however.

There is no cure for the remaining people that she is able to fool.

Those people are idiots, and I am ok with that as long as they are.

I cannot see how she thinks she was entitled to money for travel per diem when in fact she was staying in her OWN HOUSE

Because she is just another pig at the public trough albeit with lipstick on.

TaxProf: Palins Underpaid Taxes

LOL!!! nice try.

People, these are "Professors". They are not Practicing CPAs, nor do they work for the IRS.

You get one of these to post, then I'll believe them.

Not these Pretenders, who Pretend to interpret an IRS "regulation"

IT'S ALL OPINION... which must be challenged, untimately in court.

Also, they bring with them the credibility of Professors, which is becoming increasingly less as time goes by.

There is usually a statement right at the bottom of the form which spells out the penalty for filling FALSE CLAIMS. This was a false claim.

Actually, this is your opinion and if are the Judge in the case, then your opinion would prevail. But, since you know little of what you are talking about, then you will probably NEVER be a judge in a small matter like this.

Sara 'The Secessionist' Palin hates America so much that she feels she shouldn't have to pay taxes to a Nation she despises.

I'm not speculating that she hates America, I know she does because she supports a party in Alaska founded by a secessionist and even gave a speech for them this past April.

Sara 'The Secessionist' Palin is traitorous in her own actions and is palling around with terrorists.....herself and her husband.

If Sara 'The Secessionist' Palin despises America, she should take her dog sled and keep heading north. America doesn't need a DOMESTIC TERRORIST who despises this great nation in the WH!

Perhaps Sara 'The Secessionist' Palin should have thought of this before trying to attack a man who met a man who did bad things when the other man was 8 years old. Guilt by association she claims? Well, how about just outright guilt for her own actions?

Sara 'The Secessionist' Palin has traitorous views towards America and now wants to run it? I doubt she would have the Nations best interest at heart.

"But if she is refusing to pay income taxes on the wages she earned than good for her. Nobody should pay income tax. The legality of it is irregardless.. Laws are not related to moral"

OMG....Jaydee is a little kid.

You could take your tax return to a hundred CPA's, and you'll get a hundred answers as to how much you owe in taxes. Didn't the article that was posted on Saturday quote a former IRS commissioner who's contributed to the Obama campaign, who said that she didn't do anything wrong?

Keep swingin'.

But if she is refusing to pay income taxes on the wages she earned than good for her. Nobody should pay income tax.

The legality of it is irregardless.. Laws are not related to morals (at one time it was the law to send Japanese Americans to internment camps, laws are NOT moral) the income tax is theft and I believe theft is immoral. Same as if she is charging people to stay in hr home.. that is also theft.

#34 | Posted by JayDee at 2008-10-07 01:28 PM | Reply | Flag:

Irregardless??

Do you like driving on paved roads?

Do you like having a Military watching out for this nation?

Do you like having your trash picked up?

Do you like having house fires extinguished?

Do you like the fact that when you call 911 for Fire, Ambulance or Police, that someone actually picks up the phone and that someone responds?

If so, shut the fuck up and learn how the real world works, "irregardless" of how you wish it did.

@#43 | Posted by COMMONSENSE

Ironically your name is Commonsense.. heh..ok.. Perhaps you should go read Common Sense.

Do you like driving on paved roads?
Do you know that I lived in a community when I was a kid that had private roads? You owned the road out to the middle of the street, yes paved. About twice a year people would go around and collect money for repairs. North Oaks, Minnesota STILL has private roads.. oohh how does life go on there without giving road taxes to bureaucrats to do what people would do anyhow with it.

Do you like having a Military watching out for this nation?
Our military is to be used for defense only. In fact the founders were sacred to death of a military. No I think I could do without these paid killers. Give people back the ability to defend themselves and they will not need a military. (2nd Amendment)

Do you like having your trash picked up?
Haha.. how would trash ever be picked up if it were not for GOVERNMENT! lol lol. Many many places in America have private trash collection.

Do you like having house fires extinguished?
I would pay a monthly contract for fire service. I see no reason this can not be done, Ambulance service is private today. Most Fire Departments in the US are Volunteer.

Do you like the fact that when you call 911 for Fire, Ambulance or Police, that someone actually picks up the phone and that someone responds?
No.. I never EVER call the police for any reason, they only make the situation worse.

AND with the exception of the military.. (and what about the state run national guard?) all of these things you mentioned are STATE SERVICES, we are talking about the Federal Income Tax.. Hell no I wont pay that, it's fraud I would never pay it if they wouldn't try to throw me in a cage or shoot me if I didn't.

I pay it out of fear now, thats the only reason. The federal government provides nothing I want, at all. I see no use for them and regard them as little diffrent than the mafia.

Actually, this is your opinion and if are the Judge in the case, then your opinion would prevail. But, since you know little of what you are talking about, then you will probably NEVER be a judge in a small matter like this.

#39 | Posted by Eddie at 2008-10-07 04:39 PM

It is not a small matter, it is a Felony.

And I get to be HER judge on Nov 4th, 2008.

We ALL do.

Our military is to be used for defense only. In fact the founders were sacred to death of a military. No I think I could do without these paid killers. Give people back the ability to defend themselves and they will not need a military. (2nd Amendment)

Not according to the Bush Doctrine (you know, the Bush Doctrine, the one that Sarah The Moose Hunter Palin, had never heard of?).

And how exactly would the People defend themselves against Nuclear and Biological weapons with the 2nd Amendment?

Want an example of Government trash service?

Kalispell Montana Public Works department at one point had 72 employees out actually dumping trash, and 73 bureaucrats back at the office pushing paper and collecting fat paychecks.

Do you think a private business could run itself that way?

Nuclear and Biological? What would be the goal of incinerating the United States if we minded our own business? What would an attacker gain? These weapons are used politically to achieve a political outcome. There is no sense for their use against farmers. I don't believe there are any hostile powers out there waiting to attack the United States.. more likely they just want *us* to leave *them* alone. I agree, we should leave them along. Besides many other nations don't have them either. Does Zimbabwe need nuclear weapons? No.. then neither does Montana.

"I would pay a monthy contract for fire service...."

If you missed paying your bills, could we let you house burn down?

More to the point, if your house with the recently lapsed contract burned should we continue not to intervene even if it threatened other houses near by?

Ayn Rand was an idiot. Thought you should know.

If you missed paying your bills, and your family was trapped in your burning house, is the fault they're dead yours because you're a deadbeat? Or your fault only because you were laid off?

Yeah and what happens when You fail to pay Your monthly Fire Department Insurance Policy and there is a fire n Your house and Your kids and Wife/Husband are trapped upstairs. Should we just let them burn to death cause You missed Your FDIP. Oh we can't help Your family escape being burnt. It says here You failed to pay Your monthly fee. Sorry You wil have to find Yourself another Wife and have kids with Her.

Larry

Well since I ave yet to be Marriedin all My 36 Yars on being upon this earth. I would cheish a Woman would could put up with and Marry Me.

Larry

Yeah and what happens when You fail to pay Your monthly Fire Department Insurance Policy and there is a fire n Your house and Your kids and Wife/Husband are trapped upstairs. Should we just let them burn to death cause You missed Your FDIP. Oh we can't help Your family escape being burnt. It says here You failed to pay Your monthly fee. Sorry You wil have to find Yourself another Wife and have kids with Her.

Larry

#50 | Posted by LarryMohr

Larry! Hello? You awake?

We are talking about Federal Income taxes.

This is what I can't stand about the American electorate! IGNORANCE!!!!

Fire Depts, in most states are paid by local taxes.

Actually, this is your opinion and if are the Judge in the case, then your opinion would prevail. But, since you know little of what you are talking about, then you will probably NEVER be a judge in a small matter like this.

#39 | Posted by Eddie at 2008-10-07 04:39 PM

It is not a small matter, it is a Felony.

And I get to be HER judge on Nov 4th, 2008.

We ALL do.

#45 | Posted by donnerboy

Actually? It's not a felony; it's not even a crime.

The crime is when you don't report income, she reported it.

However, her CPA interpreted the "regulation" to mean that she did not need to pay taxes on it.

So far, no one at the IRS has questioned it. It's all computerized and the computer would have caught it. The IRS software will flag an item on a return and a real person will analyze it. If there is a suspension that the regulation is not being followed, then an audit is triggered.

She hasn't had an audit, has she?

So, in conclusion, the computer software written by the IRS, who are tax regulation experts, did not catch it. And, this would have been a flag after the first scan of the return!!!

During the audit, the meaning of the regulation is argued. If the IRS agent insists that taxes are owed on it, then the tax payer can appeal and bring it to court. Or, just pay the penalty for being late and the interest.

So, you see the crime? I don't. This is The System that you Libs love so much.

The IRS didn't catch it, but, some moronic Professors did? LOL!!!!! They are so wrong and you believed them. Does that make you more idiotic?

"So far, no one at the IRS has questioned it. It's all computerized and the computer would have caught it. " "This would have been a flag after the first scan of the return!"

Nonsense. The IRS computer doesn't work that way, that's not how the scanning works, and the IRS hasn't looked at it yet. Do you actually know how the process works, or are you just pulling shit out of your ass?

"They are so wrong and you believed them."

No, the professors are right. The "opinion letter" was worthless. The dupe is YOU.

So, in conclusion, the computer software written by the IRS, who are tax regulation experts, did not catch it.

translation

SHE ALMOST GOT AWAY WITH IT! Gosh darn it! (wink!)

I see people trying to say that Fire Depts and other such local services are paid by local taxes only.

That's a crock of shit! Look online and find out what percentage of your states budget comes from Federal monies collected and then disbursed to states. Then look and see how much cash comes from the state and Fed Gov into the town/city coffers.

Summation: Your locally collected property taxes ain't cutting it!

Perhaps it's more 'patriotic' when you pay penalties and interest as well as your taxes.

OCU

Friends don't let friends vote Republican

What a crock of typical dr left hypocrisy. Charlie Rangel, chairman of the powerful tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee, cheats on his taxes for years barely gets a mention here.

Here are some of my favorite lines that Charlie used about his $75,000 undeclared income...

"He said he didn't understand the law..... (Didn't understand it? He wrote it!)"

"Every time I thought I was getting through, they started talking Spanish."

".. Making mistakes doesn't mean you should have to give up your career."