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Wesley Snipes Gets Three Years in Prison for Not Filing Tax Returns

080425wesleysnipes.jpg
Wesley Snipes by Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage.com
Every year we wonder, "Why do we even have to pay taxes?" Um, to stay out of jail. Actor Wesley Snipes received the maximum sentence of three years in prison for not filing three years of tax returns.

The IRS says Snipes skipped out on paying nearly $3 million in taxes on $14 million of income over a three-year period.

Snipes engaged in battle with the IRS for several years, arguing the government had no legal right to collect taxes.

The judge didn't buy it.

Snipes' legal team presented numerous letters from friends and family members asking for leniency since the actor had no prior criminal record.

Was the judge's sentence fair, or do you think he was making an example of Snipes? — J.R. Whalen

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Posted by TV Guide Staff
Apr 25, 2008 11:11 AM
Snipes engaged in battle with the IRS for several years, arguing the government had no legal right to collect taxes.

At the risk of sounding Izzieish, seriously? SERIOUSLY? He spent who knows how much in legal/accounting fees over those "several years" using this legal urban legend instead of just forking over his taxes? When I'd heard he was in trouble, I'd assumed he was arguing about whether he actually had so much income, or whether he qualified for certain deductions...but this? Wesley. Seriously now.
Posted by Dianora
Apr 25, 2008 11:20 AM
I like Wesley as an actor. But he's just ridiculous. When I read about all the legal wranglings his defense team(s) perpetrated to justify his not paying taxes, I have to admit that three years sounds reasonable.

Really now...

He thinks doesn't have to pay taxes for five years.

He's claims he's not a citizen of the U.S.

He decides to send in phony bills of exchange.

He avoids the conspiracy charges that his co-defendents are found guilt of and he claims he's being scapegoated?

How can I look at all of this and think that three years is too much?
Posted by achyfakey
Apr 25, 2008 11:28 AM
To quote a friend of mine: "Now Willy Mays Hayes is playing in the California Penal League." :-D
Posted by lemonpink418
Apr 25, 2008 11:42 AM
Example? What does that even mean? Dude didn't pay taxes, he goes to jail. Simple as that!

You may feel that the government doesn't have a right to make you pay taxes, but how would you feel when you lost your job and couldn't collect unemployment or sign up for welfare. Give it a rest!

Everyone knows that you have to do 2 things in this life, pay taxes and die. The legal system always gives just as harsh sentences to tax evaders as they do to murderers. Buck up and pay your taxes.
Posted by buffybot
Apr 25, 2008 11:52 AM
This just irritates me to no end. What a prima donna. I hope he serves every day of those three years.

In the meantime, does he still have to pay $3 million or is he off the hook for that and gets to keep all his toys?
Posted by DCJim
Apr 25, 2008 12:02 PM
Nice to know the justice system gets it right every once in awhile.
Posted by SharonTateFan4ever
Apr 25, 2008 12:07 PM
It may be deemed right for Wesley Snipes but completely wrong, unjust and unfair for the police officers in the Sean Bell case to get off scott free in Queens, NY.

Racism is alive and well!!
Posted by Alde32
Apr 25, 2008 12:17 PM
Wesley Snipes is an idiot. He deserves to go to prison. What I don't get is he got a freaking tax break cause he is rich.
Posted by lizzybelle
Apr 25, 2008 12:18 PM
I WISH I didn't have to pay taxes!!!! I wouldn't have had to file an extension, only to owe them even more!!!
Posted by iamjillian
Apr 25, 2008 12:31 PM
It may be deemed right for Wesley Snipes but completely wrong, unjust and unfair for the police officers in the Sean Bell case to get off scott free in Queens, NY.

Racism is alive and well!!

you have to be kidding me.
Posted by Doozer127
Apr 25, 2008 1:15 PM
Thoreau got a room in the Crossbar Motel, too, for using the same line of reasoning.
Posted by toyladyzep39
Apr 25, 2008 1:25 PM
It may be deemed right for Wesley Snipes but completely wrong, unjust and unfair for the police officers in the Sean Bell case to get off scott free in Queens, NY.

Racism is alive and well!!

I don't think anyone has ever suggested that racism is dead, especially in the criminal justice system (and I'm ignoring Holocaust-denier types with this statement).

However, it would help if you would point to actual incidents of racism to prove your point, rather than (unintelligibly, even) bringing it up simply because a person of color is involved. Here, you're comparing a conviction in a case where the facts are indisputable and to an acquital in a case where the facts are anything but.
Posted by Dianora
Apr 25, 2008 1:54 PM
It may be deemed right for Wesley Snipes but completely wrong, unjust and unfair for the police officers in the Sean Bell case to get off scott free in Queens, NY.

Racism is alive and well!!

What on earth are you talking about?? Racism has nothing to do w/the Bell case--2 of the officers were Black!! What are you talking about???
Posted by Leeni710
Apr 25, 2008 2:18 PM
I love how people spend all this time trying to figure out how to not pay their taxes. They used to have these "workshops" where they would teach people how to get around paying their taxes. I think most of those people are in jail now too.

If I have to pay taxes - the rich people need to also. I probably miss the money more than they do.
Posted by ems823
Apr 25, 2008 2:35 PM
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