Palin told to pay back taxes
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/02/06/art.getty.palin.jpg caption="Palin received per diem payments even though she was staying in her own home."](CNN) - Alaska officials have told Gov. Sarah Palin she must pay back taxes on the thousands of dollars she received in state per diem funds while living at her home in Wasilla.
The Washington Post first reported last September that Palin had billed the state for nearly $17,000 worth of meals and other living expenses while staying in her own home during the first 19 months of her administration, even though the official governor’s residence is in Juneau.
The news clouded Palin’s self-styled image as a small government reformer, just weeks after she was tapped as John McCain’s running mate. At the time, Palin’s office said the governor was entitled to the payments.
Alaska administration commissioner Annette Kreitzner told the Anchorage Daily News on Tuesday that the governor’s office had asked the office to review the tax treatment of the per diem payments after questions about the funds were raised.
Kreitzner told the paper that following the review, the per diem payments will be treated as income and that a revised W-2 statement will be sent to the governor.
Palin’s office would not say how much she owes in back taxes, or if she would continue to receive the payments.
UPDATE: Palin spokesman Bill McAllister tells CNN that Palin "will abide by all IRS regulations and rulings and will pay what she owes. That number, though, is not a matter of public record."
Post updated 3:02 p.m. EST
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She needs to pal around with a tax attorney.
So much for the holier than thou attitude of the conservative GOPs like Palin. Shame on them.
Private matter? Since when, if you're a public official? And a governor, no less. What a crock! Pay up, gov. Your state could use the money.
She better get 'em paid before she is mistaken for a liberal democrat.
Oh gee, oh golly, oh my! You mean a repug has not paid tax?
THANK GOD SHE WAS NOT ELECTED--SHE IS A CROOK.
Still wish this woman would fade out into obscurity!
No surprise. Always pegged her for a tax cheat.
After all, she's friends with a drug dealer (Bristol Palin's boyfriend's mom) and a nature and animal hater.
Poor Sarah. Now she is the targeted reprisal for making the Democrats look like tax evaders.
Does she have to resign her post now?
what a crook!!1
Per diem is a legitimate expenditure. According to this article it was decided AFTER THE FACT that it would be treated as income. If you've ever had business expenses to report, you would know how per diem works. Get a life people! You've got enough skeletons in your Dems' closets to keep you busy from now to eternity.
With Alaska in financial trouble it doesn't look good that Palin was expecting tax relief for that amount for 19 months. There is a governors residence established for the first family to live in. If they choose not to then it's on their bill not on the tax payers.
I don't understand her at all.
"Why isn't this story posted ALL OVER fox noise.com today??? Any takers on this question???"
Because Fox is not a news channel, it's a Republican PR/entertainment outlet.
don't worry Gov Palin somebody will pay your back taxes just like they paid "Joe the Plumber's" Hey Rush and Sean come on and write
her a check will you!!
The media should stop playing us........
Please put these people and their stories away!
I wonder how Fox News will handle this matter?
This shows very poor judgement on Palin's part.........Just like everyone else, she should pay her taxes.........To suggest it is a private issue is a joke.........Talk about do as I say not as I do..........I think the idea of an audit for all these "public servants" is a great idea....They need to pay their fair share.
Who cares about Sarah Palin...why does the media insist on bringing her back into the spot light all the time. Let her fade into history like John McCain....
It seems rather ironic that we look for someone from the opposite party to screw up so that we can justify the other party for doing the same thing. I don't trust any of them!
Looks like she needs to hire Joe the Accountant.
It is really Annoying .... these big shots owe thousands in taxes...and they get treated with kid gloves ...... my friend owes much less and they (these big shots) are sending the Marines and 101st airbornes after her!
One country, different rules!
February 18th, 2009 11:05 am ET
Why isn't this story posted ALL OVER fox noise.com today??? Any takers on this question??? Everytime a democrat or one of Obama's cabinet picks has even $20.00 in back taxes they BLAST it all over their front page, however they seem to be completely ignoring that the crash helmet governor doesn't know how to pay her taxes either???
FAUX NOISE CHANNEL
Absolutely correct. Just did a search for Sarah Palin stories on foxnews.com ... nothing about her tax problems ... not a peep! What a shocker.
Because Fox is not a news channel, it's a Reputblican PR/Entertainment outlet.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA........HA! Loser