If You Win the Big Jackpot Expect the IRS to Coming Knocking
Many people from all over the country enjoy gambling. Whether it’s big time poker, playing the slots or betting on sporting events, there are a lot of people who enjoy games of chance and the idea of winning something for nothing. Of course, most of the time, the house wins and the player walks away empty handed. When a player does win, it’s usually cause for a celebration. However, the big victory can be short-lived when the winner discovers that the taxman wants his piece of the pie as well.
In fact, the IRS is looking to really crack down on gambling earnings. As it stands rights now, when a person plays the slots he or she has to report any earnings of $1,200 or more to the IRS. The machine even stops working as soon as someone wins. It won’t start again until after a casino worker has presented the lucky winner with the necessary tax papers. However, recently the IRS threw out the idea of lowering that threshold down to just $600.
To no one’s surprise, many gamblers hate the idea. Realistically, they have a good point, too, because most people who play the slots never win enough to make up for their losses, so why should they have to pay taxes if they get lucky once or twice? Time will tell if the IRS end up getting the threshold lowered or not, but gamblers and casinos alike oppose the idea. For small time gamblers the idea seems unfair, and casinos say it would only take the fun out of the game for players.
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No one likes a bully. Bullies can wreck havoc on their victims. From swirlies to stealing lunch money, bullies are a big problem. The same can be said for tax bullies, except they want to steal a lot more than your lunch money. There have been several recent reports from different locations around the country…
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Last week we discussed the best and worst states to retire in when it comes to taxes. So what kinds of factors actually play a role in coming up with those numbers? Choosing a place to call home when you retire is important and there are many factors that can play a role in where…
How One of the World’s Wealthiest Individuals Avoided Taxes for Years
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Where Should You Call Home in Retirement?
Are you planning on retiring soon? There are a lot of things to consider and prepare for when you’re ready to call it quits and start enjoying the so-called “golden years,” especially when it comes to your financial future. One of the most important matters to take care of is how your taxes will affect…