The Game Show Forum
The Game Show Forum => The Big Board => Topic started by: Jeremy Nelson on October 28, 2008, 11:39:09 AM
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I've always wondered, and I was hoping somebody here would know:
Why is it that contestants have to pay taxes on winnings from a game show?
Aren't we one of the only countries to tax GS winnings?
The fact that the governement taxes stuff like this makes me believe that we've turned into the country we abandoned.
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[quote name=\'rollercoaster87\' post=\'200583\' date=\'Oct 28 2008, 08:39 AM\']Why is it that contestants have to pay taxes on winnings from a game show? [/quote]Because it's earned income. Just like any other income you bring in.
The fact that the government taxes stuff like this makes me believe that we've turned into the country we abandoned.
I don't see how the two are connected really. As long as there's an income tax, there's gonna be taxes on game show winnings.
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[quote name=\'TLEberle\' post=\'200585\' date=\'Oct 28 2008, 11:16 AM\']I don't see how the two are connected really. As long as there's an income tax, there's gonna be taxes on game show winnings.[/quote]
Strictly speaking, that's not true. There are all sort of exceptions about income that isn't taxed, and if the federal government wanted to make game show winnings non-taxable, then they certainly have that power. Game show winnings are not taxed in Canada, for example. It's one of Steve Beverly's soapbox speeches, but I think intuitively, most of us recognize that there's nothing inherently special about game show income that requires it be treated any differently than regular income.
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What I see is that taxing winnings on game shows before you even receive them, then again when 4/15 rolls around, is false advertising.
If Jessica Robinson was taxed $400,000 from her winnings before she even got them, then NBC should not be allowed to call her a $1,000,000 winner because she didn't win $1,000,000!
It's called Million Dollar Mission, not Six Hundred Thousand Dollar Mission.
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[quote name=\'jybt\' post=\'200590\' date=\'Oct 28 2008, 12:42 PM\']
What I see is that taxing winnings on game shows before you even receive them, then again when 4/15 rolls around, is false advertising.[/quote]
By that logic, every employer in America is lying about an employee's salary.
And by the way, the money is only taxed once. By 4/15 you file your returns, and you might even get part of the withheld money back. But you're only paying taxes on the income a single time.
Having said that, I'll grant that I have my own issues with an announced top prize and then a little tiny disclaimer saying all or part of it is an annuity. On the older big-money shows (Chance of a Lifetime or even $100,000 Name That Tune) they made a point about telling us how the money was paid out.
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[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'200595\' date=\'Oct 28 2008, 02:40 PM\']On the older big-money shows (Chance of a Lifetime or even $100,000 Name That Tune) they made a point about telling us how the money was paid out.[/quote]
Wheel of Fortune used to be good about that, too. Guess not so much now. As long as they're clear during the audition process, it shouldn't be too much of an issue.
The prospect of an annuity probably wouldn't deter me, though. I like the idea of having a second job without having a second job.
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here in Italy it's much simpler: the network keeps 20% of the cash prize to pay off taxes then deliver the rest in gold coins, because anti-gambling laws prohibits real cash prizes. Technically the network is "selling" you the gold for free, and it doesn't affect your income. Item prizes are not taxed.
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[quote name=\'CeleTheRef\' post=\'200599\' date=\'Oct 28 2008, 02:56 PM\']
here in Italy it's much simpler: the network keeps 20% of the cash prize to pay off taxes then deliver the rest in gold coins, because anti-gambling laws prohibits real cash prizes. Technically the network is "selling" you the gold for free, and it doesn't affect your income. Item prizes are not taxed.
[/quote]
That is actually a fairly awesome payout structure. I know someone who approves (http://\"http://ancapistan.typepad.com/unfairwitness/images/2007/06/15/ron_paul_best.jpg\").
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[quote name=\'Joe Mello\' post=\'200598\' date=\'Oct 28 2008, 01:49 PM\']
As long as they're clear during the audition process, it shouldn't be too much of an issue.[/quote]
Oh yeah, I don't mean to imply anything truly deceitful is going on. It goes to jypt's larger point, though. Most everybody knows (or assumes) that a player's winnings are taxed, so that's really not as big a deal. As I said before, you know your salary, but you also know you don't actually see that sum show up in your paycheck. But an annuity is something that I would guess the average audience member is not thinking about when they hear "million dollar winner". In that sense, it's at least a little deceitful. Possibly even more so than lottery winnings, where I believe the average person DOES understand the annuity vs cash option.
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[quote name=\'CeleTheRef\' post=\'200599\' date=\'Oct 28 2008, 02:56 PM\']here in Italy it's much simpler: the network keeps 20% of the cash prize to pay off taxes then deliver the rest in gold coins, because anti-gambling laws prohibits real cash prizes. Technically the network is "selling" you the gold for free, and it doesn't affect your income. Item prizes are not taxed.[/quote]That definitely beats our system, where you get paid in fiat currency that is continually depreciating, and ever more rapidly so as more "money" is invented to bail out more and more politically connected corporations. That annuity you're getting from WOF may not be worth anything by the time you get the last payment of it--think of buying a loaf of bread in Zimbabwe today--but the gold you get from an Italian game show will always be valuable.
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[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'200595\' date=\'Oct 28 2008, 02:40 PM\']
Having said that, I'll grant that I have my own issues with an announced top prize and then a little tiny disclaimer saying all or part of it is an annuity. On the older big-money shows (Chance of a Lifetime or even $100,000 Name That Tune) they made a point about telling us how the money was paid out.
[/quote]
$million Chance wasn't truly forthcoming with that fact, were they? I only knew because of the story in TV Game $how Magazine.
/really curious as to whether the winners' annuities were bought out
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[quote name=\'ChrisLambert!\' post=\'200605\' date=\'Oct 28 2008, 02:23 PM\']$million Chance wasn't truly forthcoming with that fact, were they? I only knew because of the story in TV Game $how Magazine. [/quote]
For some reason, I seem to remember Jim Lange saying it on air. But golly, we're talking about a twenty-year-old memory, I could easily be mistaken.
[quote name=\'ChrisLambert!\' post=\'200605\' date=\'Oct 28 2008, 02:23 PM\']/really curious as to whether the winners' annuities were bought out[/quote]
For the longest time, I actually went a step further and wondered if the production company might have had the annuities in a holding company that they just bankrupted once the show was canceled. However, there have been some modern interviews with winners (here's one now (http://\"http://thegstemple.bravehost.com/interviews/gilmore.htm\")) which, while they don't explicitly say they're still getting their checks, certainly seem to indicate that's the case.
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[quote name=\'jybt\' post=\'200590\' date=\'Oct 28 2008, 10:42 AM\']
What I see is that taxing winnings on game shows before you even receive them, then again when 4/15 rolls around, is false advertising.[/quote]
Still haven't gotten past that whole semantics thing, have you?
[quote name=\'mitchgroff\' post=\'200600\' date=\'Oct 28 2008, 12:07 PM\']
That is actually a fairly awesome payout structure. I know someone who approves (http://\"http://ancapistan.typepad.com/unfairwitness/images/2007/06/15/ron_paul_best.jpg\").[/quote]
Also approves (http://\"http://www.changetowin.org/connect/images/bin-dive.jpg\")
[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'200606\' date=\'Oct 28 2008, 12:37 PM\']
For some reason, I seem to remember Jim Lange saying it on air. But golly, we're talking about a twenty-year-old memory, I could easily be mistaken.[/quote]
I'll back you on that. I remember that too.
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[quote name=\'CeleTheRef\' post=\'200599\' date=\'Oct 28 2008, 06:56 PM\']
here in Italy it's much simpler: the network keeps 20% of the cash prize to pay off taxes then deliver the rest in gold coins, because anti-gambling laws prohibits real cash prizes. Technically the network is "selling" you the gold for free, and it doesn't affect your income. Item prizes are not taxed.
[/quote]
That is quite good. But it's not as good as in the UK where, if, for example, you win a million pounds you actually get to keep a million pounds. In fact there are no taxes on gaming winnings in the UK these days, unless gambling is your main source of income. Probably because it's not generally speaking a guaranteed source of income. Unless you're the book-keeper, obviously.
If you want to tax cash winnings that's your look out, but I find the idea of levying taxes on item prizes absolutely abhorrent. If taking the prize is going to make you substantially financially worse off then what's the point?
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[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'200587\' date=\'Oct 28 2008, 09:28 AM\']Strictly speaking, that's not true. There are all sort of exceptions about income that isn't taxed, and if the federal government wanted to make game show winnings non-taxable, then they certainly have that power. [/quote]For sure, but I contend that most people knew what I meant.
As opposed to...say...this guy:
[quote name=\'jybt\' post=\'200590\' date=\'Oct 28 2008, 10:42 AM\']What I see is that taxing winnings on game shows before you even receive them, then again when 4/15 rolls around, is false advertising[/quote]Sorry, you fail. The advertised prize is in fact $1 million, and that is the prize awarded. It is only after taxes are assessed that the prize amount dwindles. Now, if we were to go to a consumption instead of income tax, this wouldn't be an issue, but you missed the boat, again.
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[quote name=\'Mike Tennant\' post=\'200603\' date=\'Oct 28 2008, 09:12 PM\']
[quote name=\'CeleTheRef\' post=\'200599\' date=\'Oct 28 2008, 02:56 PM\']here in Italy it's much simpler: the network keeps 20% of the cash prize to pay off taxes then deliver the rest in gold coins, because anti-gambling laws prohibits real cash prizes. Technically the network is "selling" you the gold for free, and it doesn't affect your income. Item prizes are not taxed.[/quote]That definitely beats our system, where you get paid in fiat currency that is continually depreciating, and ever more rapidly so as more "money" is invented to bail out more and more politically connected corporations. That annuity you're getting from WOF may not be worth anything by the time you get the last payment of it--think of buying a loaf of bread in Zimbabwe today--but the gold you get from an Italian game show will always be valuable.
[/quote]
and the coin is cool by itself because it has the network logo on it. Here is one http://www.davidemaggio.it/images/gettonedoro.jpg (http://\"http://www.davidemaggio.it/images/gettonedoro.jpg\")
A few gameshows even tried to give prizes directly in gold coins but phrases like "here is your 100 gold question" interested only pirates and D&D players
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[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'200587\' date=\'Oct 28 2008, 12:28 PM\']
Game show winnings are not taxed in Canada, for example.
[/quote]
Our beloved host of Masters of the Obvious is correct - we don't get taxed on winnings up here, which is great. However, I'd like to point out two things:
1. Our shows are more, I think, for the thrill then the cash - I was quite happy to win $600 on Brain Battle for example. (That being said, we've done versions of BAM, Deal and 5th Grader up here, however they were in short hops - only a dozen eps between the three got made).
2. Can anyone name any national English language game shows that are in production right now up here? So most of the population doesn't have to worry :) There's a reason I keep trying to get on the French shows!
Ryan :)
/for those of you keeping score, Canucks do get taxed on American shows - 30% Federal and 7% State on my appearances way way back.
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[quote name=\'Mike Tennant\' post=\'200603\' date=\'Oct 28 2008, 03:12 PM\']That definitely beats our system, where you get paid in fiat currency that is continually depreciating, and ever more rapidly so as more "money" is invented to bail out more and more politically connected corporations. That annuity you're getting from WOF may not be worth anything by the time you get the last payment of it--think of buying a loaf of bread in Zimbabwe today--but the gold you get from an Italian game show will always be valuable.
[/quote]
Yes, but, you are always free to take your 65% share of the winnings and invest in some dubloons as soon as you win it.
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[quote name=\'TLEberle\' post=\'200620\' date=\'Oct 28 2008, 09:53 PM\']
[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'200587\' date=\'Oct 28 2008, 09:28 AM\']Strictly speaking, that's not true. There are all sort of exceptions about income that isn't taxed, and if the federal government wanted to make game show winnings non-taxable, then they certainly have that power. [/quote]For sure, but I contend that most people knew what I meant.
As opposed to...say...this guy:
[quote name=\'jybt\' post=\'200590\' date=\'Oct 28 2008, 10:42 AM\']What I see is that taxing winnings on game shows before you even receive them, then again when 4/15 rolls around, is false advertising[/quote]Sorry, you fail. The advertised prize is in fact $1 million, and that is the prize awarded. It is only after taxes are assessed that the prize amount dwindles. Now, if we were to go to a consumption instead of income tax, this wouldn't be an issue, but you missed the boat, again.
[/quote]
I think we should just not tax game show winnings. Works for Canada and the UK, why wouldn't it work in the US?
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[quote name=\'Scrabbleship\' post=\'200625\' date=\'Oct 28 2008, 09:52 PM\']
I think we should just not tax game show winnings. Works for Canada and the UK, why wouldn't it work in the US?
[/quote]
Because of laws in place, perhaps?
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[quote name=\'Scrabbleship\' post=\'200625\' date=\'Oct 28 2008, 07:52 PM\']
I think we should just not tax game show winnings. Works for Canada and the UK, why wouldn't it work in the US?[/quote]
Tell me you are not drawing a parallel between the economies and systems of government of those three countries.
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[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'200629\' date=\'Oct 28 2008, 08:42 PM\']
[quote name=\'Scrabbleship\' post=\'200625\' date=\'Oct 28 2008, 07:52 PM\']
I think we should just not tax game show winnings. Works for Canada and the UK, why wouldn't it work in the US?[/quote]
Tell me you are not drawing a parallel between the economies and systems of government of those three countries.
[/quote]
What's the difference? There are game shows in all three countries, aren't there?
/If my tongue was any firmer in my cheek, I'd rip right through it.
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[quote name=\'Scrabbleship\' post=\'200625\' date=\'Oct 28 2008, 07:52 PM\'] I think we should just not tax game show winnings. Works for Canada and the UK, why wouldn't it work in the US?
[/quote]
Because taxing game show winnings is part of Obama's master plan for "spreading the wealth."
Is it a better plan than McCain's continuation of the Bush strategy to "squander the wealth?"
VOTE!!!
Randy
tvrandywest.com
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[quote name=\'tvrandywest\' post=\'200637\' date=\'Oct 29 2008, 03:10 AM\']
[quote name=\'Scrabbleship\' post=\'200625\' date=\'Oct 28 2008, 07:52 PM\'] I think we should just not tax game show winnings. Works for Canada and the UK, why wouldn't it work in the US?
[/quote]
Because taxing game show winnings is part of Obama's master plan for "spreading the wealth."
VOTE!!!
Randy
tvrandywest.com
[/quote]
You got that right, Randy.
Seriously, not taxing game show winnings would further complicate our already complex tax code as it is when it was first instituted in 1913. Where would you write off your earned income from if you can't get it from game shows? Maybe small busness charges? Personal investments? Seems to me taxing game show winnings is a necessary part of our lives whether we like it or not & we should accept it as such for now.
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Here is the national debt:
http://www.brillig.com/debt_clock/ (http://\"http://www.brillig.com/debt_clock/\")
The tax on a Broyhill dining room set or a secretary from the Jasper Cabinet Company won't make much of a dent.
Nowadays I just send my money to:
U.S. Treasury
Baghdad, Iraq
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[quote name=\'Craig Karlberg\' post=\'200640\' date=\'Oct 29 2008, 12:54 AM\']
[quote name=\'tvrandywest\' post=\'200637\' date=\'Oct 29 2008, 03:10 AM\']
[quote name=\'Scrabbleship\' post=\'200625\' date=\'Oct 28 2008, 07:52 PM\'] I think we should just not tax game show winnings. Works for Canada and the UK, why wouldn't it work in the US?
[/quote]
Because taxing game show winnings is part of Obama's master plan for "spreading the wealth."
VOTE!!!
Randy
tvrandywest.com
[/quote]
You got that right, Randy.
[/quote]
Why did this not surprise me?
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[quote name=\'Kevin Prather\' post=\'200649\' date=\'Oct 29 2008, 11:05 AM\']
[quote name=\'Craig Karlberg\' post=\'200640\' date=\'Oct 29 2008, 12:54 AM\']
[quote name=\'tvrandywest\' post=\'200637\' date=\'Oct 29 2008, 03:10 AM\']
[quote name=\'Scrabbleship\' post=\'200625\' date=\'Oct 28 2008, 07:52 PM\'] I think we should just not tax game show winnings. Works for Canada and the UK, why wouldn't it work in the US?
[/quote]
Because taxing game show winnings is part of Obama's master plan for "spreading the wealth."
VOTE!!!
Randy
tvrandywest.com
[/quote]
You got that right, Randy.
[/quote]
Why did this not surprise me?
[/quote]
...What's wrong with it?
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[quote name=\'PYLdude\' post=\'200626\' date=\'Oct 28 2008, 11:24 PM\']
[quote name=\'Scrabbleship\' post=\'200625\' date=\'Oct 28 2008, 09:52 PM\']
I think we should just not tax game show winnings. Works for Canada and the UK, why wouldn't it work in the US?
[/quote]
Because of laws in place, perhaps?
[/quote]
Nah, they don't want to add paper-created eggcrate "0"s to the National Debt.
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Because taxing game show winnings is part of Obama's master plan for "spreading the wealth."
VOTE!!!
You got that right, Randy.
Why did this not surprise me?
...What's wrong with it?
It appears you may have tried to extrapolate my political beliefs from the original post. Don't jump to any conclusions. I was going for the joke only, and trying to keep our beloved forum devoid of political commentary. E-mail me if you want to discuss politics; I'm quite passionate on the subject.
Randy
tvrandywest.com
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[quote name=\'tvrandywest\' post=\'200655\' date=\'Oct 29 2008, 12:21 PM\']It appears you may have tried to extrapolate my political beliefs from the original post. Don't jump to any conclusions. I was going for the joke only, and trying to keep our beloved forum devoid of political commentary. E-mail me if you want to discuss politics; I'm quite passionate on the subject.[/quote]
And certainly we can all agree that VOTE!!! remains an important and non-partisan message for everybody.
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And certainly we can all agree that VOTE!!! remains an important and non-partisan message for everybody.
And pray that you have access to the polls, that your vote is counted, and that the election in your state isn't RIGGED. And that your chad isn't hanging.
Me, I'm voting for Ralph Nader. He IS on the ballot, you know.
/Nothing wrong with a well-hung Chad (with a capital "C") but that's another story.
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A couple thoughts:
I wonder why Millionaire's "Tax-Free" Week didn't catch on. H&R Block sponsored it, and you'd think they'd like a mention in the first sweeps period.
I always liked that on Let's Make a Deal, they kicked in for the tax and license on the cars.
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[quote name=\'chris319\' post=\'200662\' date=\'Oct 29 2008, 03:21 PM\']/Nothing wrong with a well-hung Chad (with a capital "C") but that's another story. [/quote]*looks around, snickers, leaves*
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You all already know where my vote's going. :)
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[quote name=\'chris319\' post=\'200662\' date=\'Oct 29 2008, 12:21 PM\']
/Nothing wrong with a well-hung Chad (with a capital "C") but that's another story.[/quote]
At one time, approved (http://\"http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/images/Hilary%20Swank-52478.jpg\")
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[quote name=\'chad1m\' post=\'200668\' date=\'Oct 29 2008, 02:44 PM\']
[quote name=\'chris319\' post=\'200662\' date=\'Oct 29 2008, 03:21 PM\']/Nothing wrong with a well-hung Chad (with a capital "C") but that's another story. [/quote]*looks around, snickers, leaves*
[/quote]
Is there something you'd like to tell show the class?
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[quote name=\'chris319\' post=\'200662\' date=\'Oct 29 2008, 03:21 PM\']
And certainly we can all agree that VOTE!!! remains an important and non-partisan message for everybody.
And pray that you have access to the polls, that your vote is counted, and that the election in your state isn't RIGGED. And that your chad isn't hanging.
Me, I'm voting for Ralph Nader. He IS on the ballot, you know.
/Nothing wrong with a well-hung Chad (with a capital "C") but that's another story.
[/quote]
Well, there is the option of voting for the candidates running under the Boston Tea Party (I just liked the name).
However, I already voted early and Colorado is a major swing state this time around, so I voted for Mr. Yes several times and Mr. No a few times as well!!! ;)
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[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'200629\' date=\'Oct 28 2008, 11:42 PM\']
[quote name=\'Scrabbleship\' post=\'200625\' date=\'Oct 28 2008, 07:52 PM\']
I think we should just not tax game show winnings. Works for Canada and the UK, why wouldn't it work in the US?[/quote]
Tell me you are not drawing a parallel between the economies and systems of government of those three countries.
[/quote]
The Westmister Parlimentary system of government flat out owns the US model. That and if they can go tax-free, so can we. What is keeping us from it when they've done it for years already.
/Canada is more than America, it's America Plus!
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Someone kill me and make the pain stop. Please.
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[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'200672\' date=\'Oct 29 2008, 04:04 PM\'][quote name=\'chris319\' post=\'200662\' date=\'Oct 29 2008, 12:21 PM\']/Nothing wrong with a well-hung Chad (with a capital "C") but that's another story.[/quote]At one time, approved (http://\"http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/images/Hilary%20Swank-52478.jpg\")[/quote]
Approves currently. (http://\"http://images.chron.com/blogs/sportsupdate/archives/gallery061029-1.jpg\")
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[quote name=\'GameShowFan\' post=\'200694\' date=\'Oct 29 2008, 06:59 PM\']Is there something you'd like to
tell show the class? [/quote]Not with a predominately male user base. ;)
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[quote name=\'tvrandywest\' post=\'200655\' date=\'Oct 29 2008, 09:07 AM\']
Because taxing game show winnings is part of Obama's master plan for "spreading the wealth."
VOTE!!!
---
You got that right, Randy.
---
Why did this not surprise me?
---
...What's wrong with it?
It appears you may have tried to extrapolate my political beliefs from the original post. Don't jump to any conclusions. I was going for the joke only...
[/quote]
Thank you, Randy, for proving that my sarcasm detector was not on the fritz.
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[quote name=\'Scrabbleship\' post=\'200703\' date=\'Oct 29 2008, 07:12 PM\']
The Westmister Parlimentary system of government flat out owns the US model. That and if they can go tax-free, so can we. What is keeping us from it when they've done it for years already.
[/quote]
A little thing called the Sixteenth Amendment. (http://\"http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/eb/16th_Amendment_Pg1of1_AC.jpg\")
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No more calls, please, I think we have a winner.
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[quote name=\'Joe Mello\' post=\'200937\' date=\'Nov 3 2008, 01:59 PM\']
No more calls, please, I think we have a winner.[/quote]
I don't know about that. The 16th Amendment doesn't require an income tax, it merely allows for one. Quoting it doesn't really answer the original question in any meaningful way whatsoever.
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[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'200939\' date=\'Nov 3 2008, 02:11 PM\']
[quote name=\'Joe Mello\' post=\'200937\' date=\'Nov 3 2008, 01:59 PM\']
No more calls, please, I think we have a winner.[/quote]
I don't know about that. The 16th Amendment doesn't require an income tax, it merely allows for one. Quoting it doesn't really answer the original question in any meaningful way whatsoever.
[/quote]
How doesn't it?
Game show winnings are earned income.
The 16th Amendment clearly implies some requirement, although not in so many words, and the phrase "from whatever source derived" clearly has to include game show winnings, no?
This question's been answered at least twice, if not three times, since it was posed and some people refuse to accept the answer.
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[quote name=\'PYLdude\' post=\'200940\' date=\'Nov 3 2008, 03:22 PM\']
How doesn't it?
[/quote]
Because, like Matt said, it merely allows for one - "government has the power" is how it's written. It doesn't mandate all income is to be taxed.
-Jason
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[quote name=\'JasonA1\' post=\'200942\' date=\'Nov 3 2008, 02:30 PM\']
[quote name=\'PYLdude\' post=\'200940\' date=\'Nov 3 2008, 03:22 PM\']
How doesn't it?
[/quote]
Because, like Matt said, it merely allows for one - "government has the power" is how it's written. It doesn't mandate all income is to be taxed.
-Jason
[/quote]
But the implication, as I stated in the post before this, is fairly clear that the government's power is not limited to just HAVING it.
You're reading way too much into the literal sense.
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*cough*
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[quote name=\'PYLdude\' post=\'200945\' date=\'Nov 3 2008, 02:37 PM\']But the implication, as I stated in the post before this, is fairly clear that the government's power is not limited to just HAVING it.
You're reading way too much into the literal sense.[/quote]
Wow, you really want to go down this road? Fine.
There are any number of exceptions on taxable income, and pretty much have been from the beginning. Filing taxes would be a whole lot easier if there wasn't. Right now, game show winnings do not happen to be one of those exceptions. If Congress wanted it to be, they could pass a law saying so, and it would not violate the terms of the 16th Amendment.
This is so fundamentally basic a concept that it might turn up on Foxworthy's show. Congress has the power. They choose how to exercise that power. In many ways, that's a lot of what tomorrow is all about.
Civics lesson is over.