The American Spectator : The Spectacle Blog : They're Calling It "Shared Sacrifice," Son

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The Spectacle Blog

They're Calling It "Shared Sacrifice," Son

By Shawn Macomber on 7.13.11 @ 8:59AM

Boss Tax gets a cut of whatever happens in the neighborhood, and he's not going to be swayed by logic or sentimentality or the fact that he's probably demanding a tribute greater than what his prey can reasonably afford. Even good luck comes with a penalty these days in the IRS' book.

Via NBC:

The tax man may be on the hunt for the super fan who caught Derek Jeter's 3,000th hit.

Christian Lopez, 23, recovered the prized ball his father fumbled after The Captain hammered it into their section of the stands in the third inning of the Yankees' win over Tampa Bay on Saturday.

The Verizon salesman from Highland Mills, N.Y., gave the ball back to Jeter, whom he called an "icon," and the Yankees lavished a slew of prizes, including luxury box seats for every remaining home game this season and post-season and some signed memorabilia, upon him.

Now the IRS wants a piece. The prizes Lopez received are estimated to be worth more than $32,000 -- and, like game show contestants, Lopez may have to pay taxes on the gifts and prizes because the IRS considers them income.

View all comments (10) | Leave a comment

LarryK| 7.13.11 @ 9:28AM

He should have kept the ball in a safe deposit box and let the IRS tax him on the perceived value of $500,000, and then sell the ball for $1.00 and claim a $499,999 loss!

Shawn Macomber| 7.13.11 @ 10:04AM

Yes!

buckeyeman| 7.13.11 @ 11:38AM

WTF??????

If the ball is "worth" $500,000 then sell it, pay the 40% taxes and have a good time on the $300,000 you have left. What the hell good would a $499,000 loss be to a Verizon salesmant?

Too Many Tims| 7.13.11 @ 9:38AM

Obviously there was an IRS agent at the park that day who is pissed he didn't catch that ball himself.

Conservative Bob| 7.13.11 @ 10:42AM

Fair tax anyone.... my favorite part of the Fair Tax Plan is the illimination of the IRS and repeal of the 16th ammendment.

Want to restore America repeal the 16th ammendment.

It would change the game.

buckeyeman| 7.13.11 @ 11:39AM

Now you're talkin'!

Lullabys, Legends and Lies| 7.13.11 @ 12:00PM

The Government, and the IRS in particular are a bunch of Vampires. How long before they start taxing us on receiving Christmas, or Birthday gifts? It's a gift Uncle Sam, leave the guy alone!!

PCC| 7.13.11 @ 12:02PM

If this is true, then the law is an ass, and those who enforce it are as*holes.

Yet another example (if any more are needed) of the U.S. completely losing the plot.

Patting down old ladies and children, anyone?

Teflon93| 7.13.11 @ 2:37PM

When will bureaucrats and union hacks be sacrificing?

yisong| 10.29.11 @ 2:43AM

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