Doh! Picture this: You're a celeb (or your Paris Hilton) and you attend an award show or some-type event. Natch, the parting gifts are sweeeeet. And you ain't had to pay for shit since you've been a mainstay on the pages of US magazine and, let's be honest, you've gotten quite used to the celebrity swag. Well, don't get used to the star treatment -- cause the IRS has been plotting against you:
Guests who took home gift-packed bags from Sunday's 78th Annual Academy Awards ceremony may have to pay $30,000 in taxes on their new acquisitions. The bags, which included a $7,000 Victoria's Secret underwear set and a coupon for Lasik surgery, are worth approximately $100,000 each. And unfortunately for the celebrities present, the Unites States Inland Revenue Service has declared that the bags given to Oscar attendees count as taxable income. IRS commissioner Mark Everson quips, "We want to make sure the stars 'walk the line' when it comes to these goody bags."[imdb]
Now, I've never been a fan of celebrity swag -- it makes no sense for people who can actually pay for these high-end products to get them for nothing. Yes, I understand the concept of a walking billboard, but come on. These gift baskets have reached absurdity...upwards of $100,000 each. But... and I can't believe I'm saying this... they shouldn't be taxable. These baskets are gifts. Not prizes, gifts. And you shouldn't have to pay tax on a gift. So, frankly, the IRS is being just as greedy as the stars who line up post-show to grab their designer goodie bags. But, seriousness aside... the following Onion spoof is pretty friggin' funny ;) --Joan
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I must admit that when I first read this, I felt a flicker of joy at the fact that the celebs have to dish out 10 grand in taxes. They can afford that shit and they can certainly afford the shit in the swag bags without them getting it for free. As far as principle, I guess the swag bags are gifts so one shouldn't have to pay taxes on gifts, but I really can't feel bad for them, especially when I ain't the one getting the Gucci bags and Versace gowns for free. Dang, I can't even afford a Coach bag that's a fraction of the price of the crap in those gift bags.
"the ability to fly"... that's great!
johnny
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