Palin shows her spirit by not paying Taxes!

[Crossroads Inc.]

LINK!!!

Records: Palin cabins not noted in tax assessments

AP – FILE - In this Sept. 3, 2008 file photo, Republican vice presidential candidate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, …
Slideshow:Sarah Palin
By RACHEL D'ORO, Associated Press Writer – 52 mins ago

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Records show that Sarah Palin hasn't paid any property taxes on cabins that have been built on two backcountry plots partially owned by the former Alaska governor.

There are no tax assessments for the two-story, house-sized cabins, a workshop and a sauna spotted Thursday in an aerial survey. Property taxes totaling $156.13 were paid on the land in 2009 — but that bill did not include anything for the structures because the local assessor didn't know about the new construction nearly 100 miles north of Anchorage.
The issue has attracted the attention of local tax officials who conducted the scheduled aerial survey of properties in the area on Thursday. The area is accessible only by floatplane, snowmobile or four-wheeler.
Dave Dunivan, the assessor for the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, said such a survey had not been done there in five years, before construction started on the cabins.

Palin's attorney, Thomas Van Flein, said it is not the responsibility of property owners to report structures that go up on their land.
"It is the borough's job," he said in an e-mail. "The property taxes on this parcel are fully paid and have never been delinquent."
Dunivan, however, said owners are required by state law to report any omissions or errors in their tax assessments. Often, the borough learns of new structures in remote areas when neighbors report them. Dunivan said no one has called the borough on the Palin lots, among many in the region to add structures, the flyover survey found.

"Typically, if there are errors, we hear from owners," he said. "If there are omissions, we don't. Every once in a while we do have someone call us about omissions, but not often."

The properties are located along Safari Lake — an undeveloped area located near Denali State Park — and owned by Palin, her husband Todd and a family friend, Scott Richter. According to borough records, the tax assessments are sent to Richter's post office box in Big Lake.
There is no phone listing in Alaska for Richter and he could not be reached Thursday.
The matter first appeared Wednesday on an Alaska political blog site, Mudflats, which has been critical of Palin, the 2008 Republican vice presidential candidate. Palin resigned as governor last summer and has since written a best-selling memoir. She signed on as a Fox News commentator last month.
"This is another blatant attempt to manufacture a story about the Palins following more defamatory swipes," Palin's spokeswoman Meghan Stapleton said in an e-mail to The Associated Press.

Dunivan said a photo of a large cabin posted on the Mudflats site — and later reported on the Huffington Post Web site — is one of the structures spotted in the flyover.

Van Flein said work is still being done on the cabins, but both are usable. He said construction began on one of the cabins in 2006, but he didn't know when construction started on the second one.

The two parcels of land, separated by one lot, total 25 acres and had a combined value of $30,000 in 2007 through 2009, according to assessment records. Dunivan said the data collected in Thursday's survey will be calculated into 2010 assessment notices being mailed out at the end of the month.
It's too soon to estimate how much the structures will increase the taxes due, Dunivan said.
The cabins are the size of large homes rather than the average backcountry cabin, but square footage estimates were not immediately available.
Local real estate broker, Claus Steigler, said most cabins in the area are closer to the 500-square-foot range. Because they are in a hard to reach area, they generally sell for only $40,000 to $60,000, including the land.

One large log cabin reachable by road is listed at $229,000, but it's still on the market after two years, Steigler said.

I eagerly await Palins supporters trumpeting this latest show of her independence against the horrible Obama government! Maybe they will al stop paying taxes too as a show of support!!!
really... can we throw her in jail yet?

[FSTargetDrone]

Palin's attorney, Thomas Van Flein, said it is not the responsibility of property owners to report structures that go up on their land.

Is the attorney suggesting Palin is/was unaware that the buildings were built on her property??

[Lonestar]

Is the attorney suggesting Palin is/was unaware that the buildings were built on her property??

No, he's saying that it's okay for a taxpayer to deliberately conceal stuff that would make him or her pay more in taxes.

[gizmojumpjet]

She's a tax cheat? In that case, I reckon she'll be named to Barry O's cabinet any day now.

[Patrick Degan]

She's a tax cheat? In that case, I reckon she'll be named to Barry O's cabinet any day now.

You mean after demonstrating her credentials as one of today's ideal Republican leaders by flouting the law? Please...

[Eleas]

Is the attorney suggesting Palin is/was unaware that the buildings were built on her property??

Given her general conduct in the past, it borders on a valid argument. However, given her past behaviour in fiscal matters, one can deduce she's simply engaging in what might be expected: hypocrisy, nepotism, and naked avarice.

[Molyneux]

So of course, as a former member of our government herself and understandably knowledgeable about the necessities of rule of law, she will immediately have them assessed and pay her current and back owed taxes in full, right?
...right?

[Count Chocula]

Whoa, Palin's busted on taxes over unoccupied, incomplete lodgings? And the state of Alaska (on its normal survey schedule, from the article) found them?

Oh. My. Gawd. She's the Antichrist! Burn burn burn you tax-dodging bitch!1!1!1!

Wait, what were the property taxes? $156.13? CALL OUT THE GUARD, THERE'S A FELON ON THE LOOSE! You know, it's funny that the OP article mentions a cabin for sale for $229,000, but doesn't say whether it's owned by Sarah, Todd or Scott. Can you say bias, boys and girls? Sure you can.

Still cheating the taxman is a criminal offense and I suppose criminal charges have been proferred against the Palins...oh wait. No they haven't. I guess unfinished unoccupied cabins aren't taxable until they're, um, signed off by inspectors as complete. Go figure.

Try again, Crossroads. This story and your spin are just fucking pathetic.

[FSTargetDrone]

Wait, what were the property taxes? $156.13?

According to the AP story, the $156.13 was paid.

[Knife]

Whoa, Palin's busted on taxes over unoccupied, incomplete lodgings? And the state of Alaska (on its normal survey schedule, from the article) found them?

Oh. My. Gawd. She's the Antichrist! Burn burn burn you tax-dodging bitch!1!1!1!

Wait, what were the property taxes? $156.13? CALL OUT THE GUARD, THERE'S A FELON ON THE LOOSE! You know, it's funny that the OP article mentions a cabin for sale for $229,000, but doesn't say whether it's owned by Sarah, Todd or Scott. Can you say bias, boys and girls? Sure you can.

Still cheating the taxman is a criminal offense and I suppose criminal charges have been proferred against the Palins...oh wait. No they haven't. I guess unfinished unoccupied cabins aren't taxable until they're, um, signed off by inspectors as complete. Go figure.

Try again, Crossroads. This story and your spin are just fucking pathetic.

Were you not flipping out over Geihtner's tax evasion? Hypocrite much?

Edit: oops, meant to add that as things go I think this is a small thing too.

[Master of Ossus]

Try again, Crossroads. This story and your spin are just fucking pathetic.

Were you not flipping out over Geihtner's tax evasion? Hypocrite much?

Oh, come on, he's right, and you know it. No matter what he said about Geithner (I honestly don't recall and don't care), these celebrity tax stories are so overblown. This is honestly one of the weakest ones I've ever seen, and that's saying something. There's a reason that the IRS (and, I assume, the State of Alaska) allows people to pay back-taxes on good-faith mistakes without penalty.

[Knife]

Try again, Crossroads. This story and your spin are just fucking pathetic.

Were you not flipping out over Geihtner's tax evasion? Hypocrite much?

Oh, come on, he's right, and you know it. No matter what he said about Geithner (I honestly don't recall and don't care), these celebrity tax stories are so overblown. This is honestly one of the weakest ones I've ever seen, and that's saying something. There's a reason that the IRS (and, I assume, the State of Alaska) allows people to pay back-taxes on good-faith mistakes without penalty.

It is possible that you got your post in before my edit, so... refer to my edit. I think in the grand scheme of things, it is dumb and not really an issue, unless they stumble across something else in connection with this charge.

[Master of Ossus]

It is possible that you got your post in before my edit, so... refer to my edit.

Haha. Yes, fair enough.

I think in the grand scheme of things, it is dumb and not really an issue, unless they stumble across something else in connection with this charge.

Seriously, all of the hyperventilating over this stuff is ridiculous. This happens all the time to anyone with enough money or weird enough circumstances to do a non-EZ tax return. It's not a big deal.

[Count Chocula]

Geithner's "oops" was over $100,000 in recognized taxes, not a few hundred dollars maybe in taxes on cabins that were built between tax assessor visits. Much less incomplete homes/cabins/huntin' lodges/orgy pits/whatever they are. Anyway, it's the tax assessor's responsibility to keep property records current; if it warn't, Palin et al would be up on charges of tax evasion. And they're not, and oh by the way that same aerial survey also turned up OTHER CABINS under construction. So fucking what?

How about we just have another magazine take a picture of Palin in a running outfit and go ZOMG I CAN SEE HER LEGS AND WAIST AND BREASTESES! SHE CAN'T BE REAL! articles for some gripping drama. This whole topic is bullshit.

[eion]

Wait, what were the property taxes? $156.13?

According to the AP story, the $156.13 was paid.

Those were taxes on undeveloped land. The Palins are current on their taxes according to the story, and this new structure (which though unfinished is inhabitable) will be included in 2010 taxes. The land is valued at $30,000 according to the story. The cabins are not of the small 500-sq ft variety usual for the area, but of the larger home variety, and so AP rightly quotes a range of estimated prices. The taxes for the land plus the structure could be quite a bit larger, all depending on how the tax assessor has valued it.

But these kinds of things happen all the time, as others have rightly said. Does that mean you should use the "it’s your job to find my tax liable assets" defense, especially if you have any future political aspirations, probably not. There's a reason organized crime is VERY cautious about paying their taxes.

[Solauren]

Another consideration in this case is government beauracracy.

My parents, for example, are currently building an addition onto their home.

The process for that in Ontario (if I recall and understand it correctly) is ...
a) - you have to get permits out he (censored)
b) - you have to report the addition to the local government (i.e city level/regional level)
c)- at each 'stage' of a project, the property inspector has to examine the building, and declare it safe/unsafe/whatever. He then reports the progress to the Ontario property assessment corporation, and several other branches of the government.
d) - once the update is complete (not habitable, but complete), the inspectors inform the Ontario Property Assessment Corporation, who then updates the needed tax information. This includes back-dating construction times and so forth.
i.e Construction started on Oct 1 2009, Structure/Habitation completed Feb 1 2010, Construction completed March 1 2010.

Taxes would then 'click' in as of March 1, 2010.

On larger, or more difficult projects (i.e a cabin in the back-ass of the woods), this would probably be a longer process. Taxation can not start until there has been a proper inspection and verification.

Case in point, my aunt as a cabin in way out 'in the boondocks'. Getting to it is as challenging as getting to Mrs. Palin's cabin apparently is.

It took 2 years before the local property inspector was able to give the final inspection on the place after completion. At which point, my aunt owed back-taxes on the property. Because the back taxes were slightly more then anticipated, she had to work out a payment plan to make up the rest. (I believe she paid the difference about 2 months later).

In short, it's entirely possible this isn't Mrs. Palin's fault. Quite frankly, none of the likely scenarios (Bueracratic delays, ignorance on the part of the Palin's, or deliberate evasion) would surprise me.

[KrauserKrauser]

But Solauren, it's Palin. PALIN! Jesus Christ, it's Palin and Taxes in the same story! TAXES! Since Obama fucked up constantly with appointing tax dodgers to his cabinet, the Right has to be exposed on any tax dodging going on with them! PALIN! TAXES! DODGING!

If you say it enough people will actually think there is substance to the ranting!

PALIN! TAXES! CROSSROADS IS A TOOL! DODGING! STUPIDITY!

In other news, Palin is building cabins on her property and may have to pay more in taxes in 2010 if they are finished then. How that = "can we throw her in jail yet?" I still can't figure out yet.

Palin eats fancy mustard, pass it on!

[eion]

If you say it enough people will actually think there is substance to the ranting!

As you said, it’s not as if it is unheard of for a politician to be, how should one say, forgetful in regards to their taxes.

[KrauserKrauser]

I definitely agree but in this case the circumstances are entirely different.

Turbotax Timmy pulled an Alfred E. Newman in congressional hearings and his $100,000+ tax dodging ways were ignored through the power of Obama.

Palin owns some land where houses are being built but are currently unfinished. Currently, she owes $0 dollars in taxes on these buildings because they are not finished.

Geithner $100,000+ in unpaid taxes. Daschle $200,000+ in unpaid taxes. Palin $0.

Obviously Palin is the one we should be having shit fits about and demanding her imprisonment.

BECAUSE SHE IS PALIN AND SHE MUST BE FED TO SHROOM'S WANTON BREASTBLEEDING DESIRES!

Bad things about Palin! Bad things about Palin! Invented story at 11!

[General Zod]

I definitely agree but in this case the circumstances are entirely different.

Turbotax Timmy pulled an Alfred E. Newman in congressional hearings and his $100,000+ tax dodging ways were ignored through the power of Obama.

Palin owns some land where houses are being built but are currently unfinished. Currently, she owes $0 dollars in taxes on these buildings because they are not finished.

Geithner $100,000+ in unpaid taxes. Daschle $200,000+ in unpaid taxes. Palin $0.

Obviously Palin is the one we should be having shit fits about and demanding her imprisonment.

BECAUSE SHE IS PALIN AND SHE MUST BE FED TO SHROOM'S WANTON BREASTBLEEDING DESIRES!

Bad things about Palin! Bad things about Palin! Invented story at 11!

As usual you're exaggerating and full of shit. You can't legitimately claim that it was ignored when he paid them in full plus interest as soon as he was called on it. But hey, who needs facts when it's more fun to keep harping on tired old soundbites? DRILL THAT SOUNDBITE INTO THE GROUND! DRILL BABY DRILL!

[Solauren]

*Snip *

Not being an American, I'm not interested in political mudslinging and rumour mongering when it comes to politics. I'm interesting more in results.

That could be the problem I guess.

[Master of Ossus]

As usual you're exaggerating and full of shit. You can't legitimately claim that it was ignored when he paid them in full plus interest as soon as he was called on it. But hey, who needs facts when it's more fun to keep harping on tired old soundbites? DRILL THAT SOUNDBITE INTO THE GROUND! DRILL BABY DRILL!

KrauserKrauser was obviously talking about political consequences for Geithner. And, actually, he has a point: there isn't much of an equivalency between owing $100k in back taxes and not having reported incomplete buildings on undeveloped land.

[eion]

As usual you're exaggerating and full of shit. You can't legitimately claim that it was ignored when he paid them in full plus interest as soon as he was called on it. But hey, who needs facts when it's more fun to keep harping on tired old soundbites? DRILL THAT SOUNDBITE INTO THE GROUND! DRILL BABY DRILL!

KrauserKrauser was obviously talking about political consequences for Geithner. And, actually, he has a point: there isn't much of an equivalency between owing $100k in back taxes and not having reported incomplete buildings on undeveloped land.

We don't know how the Palin story will develop. Early reporting should be about providing the facts as you have them with minimal speculation until more facts emerge. AP is quite good at this. I watch MSNBC from about 6 - 10 every night, and I've seen very little if any coverage on this story beyond quoting the AP, and most haven’t done that (the palm-writing is irresistible). If it becomes a bigger story, I'm sure they'll cover it, but I haven't seen much outside some blogs.

Like this one http://www.huffingtonpost.com/akmuckrak ... 48137.html

Which claims the cabins have been there for years, and links to tax records listing no structures claimed there.

When she was running for Gov., she also refused to support a candidate who owed back property taxes:

In 2004, it came to light that Republican Rep. Vic Kohring owed the borough $2,277 in unpaid property taxes on property he owns off Knik-Goose Bay Road, according to borough records. "That bothered former Wasilla Mayor Sarah Palin enough that she declined a campaign request to do a pro-Kohring TV commercial. As a former mayor, Palin said, it made her uncomfortable to back someone with unpaid taxes when the city relies on property taxes." [Anchorage Daily News (Alaska), 10/28/04]

It also quotes her O'Reilly interview:

Recently, Sarah Palin gave an interview to Bill O'Reilly and said her favorite vacation spot was "The middle of nowhere at our cabin in Petersville," Alaska.

IF the Cabin has indeed been habitable (this is different from complete) for the past 3 years without any taxes being paid on it, and the Palins use excuses or delays in paying any back taxes, then there is a distinct smell of hypocrisy about; A perfume Ms. Palin is getting far too fond of.

This could be a bigger story, it could be nothing. Journalism is about discovering and reporting the facts. So long as they do that, they can report as early as they like.

[General Zod]

As usual you're exaggerating and full of shit. You can't legitimately claim that it was ignored when he paid them in full plus interest as soon as he was called on it. But hey, who needs facts when it's more fun to keep harping on tired old soundbites? DRILL THAT SOUNDBITE INTO THE GROUND! DRILL BABY DRILL!

KrauserKrauser was obviously talking about political consequences for Geithner. And, actually, he has a point: there isn't much of an equivalency between owing $100k in back taxes and not having reported incomplete buildings on undeveloped land.

So what? I don't give a shit if they're equivalent. I was addressing the disingenuous assertion that it was swept under the rug and somehow conveniently ignored. Even though the Republicans won't let it ever be ignored, because they have to keep beating every horse they can into a bloody pulpy grave. Because it's easier than finding legitimate attacks *I'm a smarmy asshole*?

[Master of Ossus]

So what? I don't give a shit if they're equivalent. I was addressing the disingenuous assertion that it was swept under the rug and somehow conveniently ignored.

Well, it was. Saying that he eventually paid his back taxes doesn't mean that it wasn't ignored--he suffered no political repercussions for it at all.

Even though the Republicans won't let it ever be ignored, because they have to keep beating every horse they can into a bloody pulpy grave. Because it's easier than finding legitimate attacks *I'm a smarmy asshole*?

Oh, please, this is not the Republicans' fault. Palin was found associated with something that appears to be absolutely trivial--a total non-story. People then used that non-issue to attack her, politically, in an extraordinary example of overreaction. Observe:

I eagerly await Palins supporters trumpeting this latest show of her independence against the horrible Obama government! Maybe they will al stop paying taxes too as a show of support!!!
really... can we throw her in jail yet?

No, he's saying that it's okay for a taxpayer to deliberately conceal stuff that would make him or her pay more in taxes.

She's a tax cheat? In that case, I reckon she'll be named to Barry O's cabinet any day now.

gizmojumpjet wrote:
She's a tax cheat? In that case, I reckon she'll be named to Barry O's cabinet any day now.


You mean after demonstrating her credentials as one of today's ideal Republican leaders by flouting the law? Please...

She's a tax cheat? In that case, I reckon she'll be named to Barry O's cabinet any day now.

You mean after demonstrating her credentials as one of today's ideal Republican leaders by flouting the law? Please...

Given her general conduct in the past, it borders on a valid argument. However, given her past behaviour in fiscal matters, one can deduce she's simply engaging in what might be expected: hypocrisy, nepotism, and naked avarice.

So of course, as a former member of our government herself and understandably knowledgeable about the necessities of rule of law, she will immediately have them assessed and pay her current and back owed taxes in full, right?
...right?

Given this, it's perfectly reasonable to point out that another high-profile political figure did something that is dramatically worse suffered no ill political effects as a result of this, and it's a totally bullshit response to that to say, "Well, yeah, but... he ended up paying that, eventually." How are the Republicans being "smarmy assholes" for saying, "Look, if nothing happened politically to Geithner, then it's obviously unfair to blow up an infinitesimally smaller infraction of the tax code (if in fact it's even an infraction) to attack Palin."

It's further bullshit to say that Republicans are beating a dead horse on this issue. KrauserKrauser wasn't even going after Geithner--he was pointing out the absurdity of the overreactions to this story in the thread by analogizing to a dramatically worse offense for which nothing happened.

But the biggest lie of all, here, is your claim that "Republicans won't let [Geithner's tax problems] ever be ignored." Geithner's tax issues are a legitimate analogy when another politician is criticized for a tax issue that by all accounts is far less serious. A Republican didn't start this thread to complain about Geithner, and what he did a very short time ago is fair game if people are seriously trying to use this tax charge to attack Palin's character (or whatever you want to call it). It would be far more accurate to claim "Republicans won't let Geithner's tax issues be ignored so long as their political adversaries attack Republicans for offenses that are dramatically less serious, and so long as these same political adversaries express no concern whatsoever with Geithner's actions." See the difference? Indeed, in your particular case, you've gone so far as to show moral outrage that a Republican could dare to criticize Geithner because he paid off the $100k in past-due taxes well after they were originally due (leaving out the fact that Krauser was merely reacting to the level of bullshit hypocrisy that previously characterized this thread).