Tuesday, January 4, 2011

How not to avoid paying taxes

It probably seemed like a good idea at the time, but as they say, the best laid plans of mice and would-be tax evaders often go awry.

The Associated Press reported last week that Joseph Darling, 42, of West Gardiner, Maine, was sentenced to 21 days in jail following his Augusta District Court conviction on a tax-evasion charge. He also was ordered to pay $11,388 in Maine income taxes for 2004 through 2007.

At his sentencing hearing, Darling said he didn’t have to pay taxes. Why? Because, he said, he's the governor of the state of Maine. (Which he isn't, and never has been.) Not that it would have made any difference. Turns out even the governor has to pay taxes on his income.

Gotta give the guy credit, though. For creativity. Or nerve. Or something.

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