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Last updated on May 20th, 2017 at 06:52 am
Al Franken – the leftist comedian and Minnesota Democrat candidate who rails against lying liars who lie – has tax trouble:
First came the revelation of his failure to pay workers’ compensation insurance in New York. Then came the revelation of his failure to file corporate tax returns in California. This week it was revealed that Franken owes $70,000 in back taxes in 17 states.
Finally we’re laughing at Al. Took a while.
Minnesota boy here. Hate Al. Just hate him, with a passion, and hate where he wants to take Minnesota (even though, for Minnesota, it would be a short trip.) Used to enjoy Franken and Davis, but that was before he downloaded Self-righteous 2.0.
But, to be fair (even though I hate being fair, too):
He paid the taxes, but he paid them all in his home state. As a highly-paid performer, he was supposed to pay those taxes in the states in which he earned performance money – the “why don’t we tax all those rich athletes and rockers when they come HERE to play?” tax.
So now he has to pay those states, and then get a refund from (I think) Minnesota. If there was a let’s-cheat-on-taxes moment here – i.e., if the “rich performer tax” rate was higher than the Minn. income tax rate – I’ve not heard of it yet. But, given Minnesota’s outrageous income tax rates, he couldn’t have saved much doing it this way.
In a just world, proving that you’re not venal, just stupid, wouldn’t be considered an achievement, but, sadly, the Wellstone Dems will see this as exoneration.
Perhaps Al told one too many lies in California. For instance:
Professional atheletes are taxed there according to how many games they attend in the state, even if they play for a New York team, and even if they don’t appear in the game.
If Al had been on injured reserve, he could have saved some bucks.
Posted by Harry Bergeron on 2008 05 02 at 02:41 PM • permalink
Al is the MAN, man! And the Man is trying to stick it to the MAN because they’re the Man, man!
Dunno why he couldn’t pay his taxes. All he has to do is sell a few more speedballs to raise the money…
Posted by richard mcenroe on 2008 05 02 at 02:42 PM • permalink
Will Al remain in the race against Norm Coleman, or prove that he is just another Progressive living up to his reputation? If he receives jail time (as well it seems he should) then they should put he and Wesley Snipes in the same cell. Pay Per View or new reality show….Celebrities Behind Bars.
Posted by Deborah Leigh on 2008 05 02 at 03:08 PM • permalink
#2: Know what? I’m really troubled by the proposal that a sophisticated show-business personality who has multiple income streams (books, TV appearances, corporations, personal appearances etc.) relies on a single, humble, simple-minded unsophisticated accountant to do his tax returns, one so freaking stupid he didn’t have any idea he had to file individual state returns on his client’s out of state income. Because show business personalities have that problem ALL THE TIME. It’s an occupational hazard. Also, Franken is now refusing to release the actual returns or,in fact, any further info at all, and the accountant has been told not to talk to reporters. Interestingly, the 25 grand he owes NY (which is where he lives, don’t know how he’s running in Minn., except that he’s doing a Hillary, most likely) was for Workers’ Comp premiums which he didn’t pay; NY dunned him for the amount, he still didn’t pay, they came back repeatedly and he still didn’t pay, they SUED him and he still didn’t pay, they got a JUDGMENT, which he still didn’t pay, and I gather the state had to get a judgment lien on some property he owns. Nice fella. So no, I’m actually not all that inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt. There is something very fishy about this, and if I have to take his word for it that he paid those taxes, sorry: I’m waiting till I see it verified somewhere on some other return before I do any doubt-benefiting for Al.
Hey, Celaeno, I think you’re being unfair.
Everyone knows that taxes are only properly and rightfully demanded from evil corporate minions and their cloned employees. It would defeat the entire purpose of redistributionism if we were to levy them with equal vigor against members of the Truth Community. They shouldn’t have to pay, since they already, by definition, live altruistic lives.
No, Franken should never have had to worry about these taxes. And, Workers Comp coverage? Bah! If they’re careful, they shouldn’t get hurt. Right?
Al Franken took money from the Bronx Boys Club. Now other people’s money.
Posted by stackja1945 on 2008 05 02 at 11:25 PM • permalink
“leftist comedian”
I don’t think this means what you think it means.
Posted by memomachine on 2008 05 02 at 11:46 PM • permalink
#13 kae; Coark it? Choikens? Heyo?
Posted by dean martin on 2008 05 03 at 07:36 AM • permalink
Actually, his “Lying Liars” book is pretty funny. And he’s right about Rush Limbaugh.
Posted by Abu Chowdah on 2008 05 03 at 08:27 PM • permalink
Heartbreak at UWA: The Stem Cells Died
Does UWA stand for Union of Worthless Art or something?