[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
Now she qualifies to be in Obama's cabinet.
What you mean that there is a Rethugican the did not pay their taxes, especially when that all have to talk about. Now, Miss Crazy Lady have not paid her taxes in a state that she is the executive of. Instead of seeing Russia from her house maybe she should be looking for the IRS. Now, we should keep looking into the politican taxes because none of the politican walk on water and they all for short.
The more this bimbo talks the wider the closet opens and the skeletons of her suspect past keep falling out in front of CNN. She needs to go away as her day on center stage has long gone. Go hunting wolves or moos or bears you foolish idiot
you betcha, there too, also. . .
uggggggggggg!
so what? who cares?
How do people claim she is a brilliant politician when she continued to take the per diem as late as Decemeber 2008? You make $150,000 a year, claim you are a reformer who wants to get rid of government waste, yet you take chump change for living in your own house for over 300 days in the first 18 months of your tenure?
Does she get any money for all the defenese of Rush/Glenn/Shaun?
I wish someone would pay me to eat meals in my own home. I bet the Alaskan people are proud of that.
This woman is full of crap!
Let's hear the outrage from the conservatives when it is one of their own failing to pay taxes. Let's hear some criticism concerning the fact that she let taxpayers pay her mortgage and food expenses. Seems like a major ethics breach to me.
Another bad media gotcha, wink-wink, problem?
So... Republican can owed back taxes....
Well, this joke (Palin) keep getting funnier every day. This pathetic fraud is intent on stretching her 15 minutes of fame as long as possible. She needs to go away. The whole family is becoming a joke. I’ll bet the RNC is cursing that old fool McCain for unearthing this vermin.
Yes she should and so should all the other senators past and present. I think they should audit every single one of them just as they would the "common" people. Lead by example for once.
Oops. Another tax gotcha stings yet another political hopeful. Does this mean that she can never run for president? It should, because if those running the government cannot figure out the tax code, how can the rest of us be expected to comprehend it.
Gee, maybe it's time to stop the mudslinging comments about the proposed Democratic cabinet members' tax problems? Now that the conservative darling has some of her own tax & integrity issues?!!
Hmmmm.......
Sarah Palin for commerce secretary!!!
Good! I hope they also get her to pay for hauling her brood around on trips involving government business, like in New York City! Sarah Palin KNOWS how to beat the system!
Sarah... just keep on sending Alaskans their oil revenue checks and you will still be the most popular president in the country! Money talks, right??? Then hit the Federal Government up for infrastructure money! Alaska gets more than any other state in the country!
It is not about Palin and Mccain, it is about the President and American people. Plus our country...
Please the media should stop this kinda reporting. kinda tired!
Okay Republicans, time to speak out loudly, as you never fail to do when it is a Democratic official with a personal tax issue. Let's hear your criticisms of the Governor.
Palin is nothing more then a criminal. Abuse of power, tax evasion and palin around with druggies. I guess some people set their standards for 'role model' a bit lower then the rest of us.
Oh, now it's a private matter, but if it were a Democrat it would be public. I can only imagine how Fox News is going to spin this.
You know with all the negative articles on Palin I noticed CNN conviently left off Palin's Alternative Energy plan to have Alaska 50% Alternative Energy by 2025 double Obama's plan for the Nation. Any reason why CNN neglected this?
This just reiterates that Sarah Palin thinks her family, her views, her politics, and her life are above reproach, and that the REST OF US who don't love her are part of some (ask Ashley Judd) extremeist fringe group. Sarah KNEW it must be wrong to bill the state for meals while you are sitting at home.....keeping an eye on Russia out the window.
Sarah Palin, this is not a private matter if you are in and want to run for public office. Do yourself a favor if you want any future public positions. How did McCann not see all this before tapping her to be his running mate?
Great, now go away and never come back!
Why do some politicians think they are above the law? How many other politicians have not paid their taxes?
Now it's Mooseburger Palin's turn to not pay taxes! Who does she think she is. Maybe she thinks she is the queen? And how do the IRS and the state taxing authorities miss these things. They have never missed my taxes.I always make sure the tax forms are in promptly!!
There needs to be some sort of penalty for those who "FORGET" or "DON'T KNOW" and either under pay or don't pay at all. All these politicians have access to the help they need,
There is no excuse for ANY politician to not take care of their duty to pay their taxes. Every body else does their taxes or has it done and without excuses. Palin should be ashamed for this, but no doubt isn't! The voters will have their say...