[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
What ever happened to "First Dude" , Todd? is he even working?
Not a private matter. She is working for the state of Alaska and has to pay taxes and should disclose her taxes.
She mooched off the state of Alaska for trips and meals for herself and her kids in the name of "government business" just as she mooched off the Republican party for clothes and travel for the kids as she pimped them out and paraded them about in the name of the "good family values" of the Republican party. No surprise this, that she owes back taxes and I am quite sure she will turn the payment of said taxes into a protracted public spectacle, what with being the attention whore that she is.
She mooched off the state of Alaska for trips and meals for herself and her kids in the name of "government business" just as she mooched off the Republican party for clothes and travel for the kids as she pimped them out and paraded them about in the name of the "good family values" of the Republican party. No surprise this, that she owes back taxes and I am quite sure she will turn the payment of said taxes into a protracted public spectacle, what with being the attention junkie that she is.
So Palin bites the dust. You are no better than any other. Ha Ha
"Palin billed the state for 312 nights spent in her Wasilla home during her first 19 months in office, according to the Washington Post. She received $60 a day tax free, money intended to cover meals and incidentals, while traveling on state business, her travel forms show."
This should be taxable, but it also should be criminal.
And the dumb Republicans are still in love with this buffoon.
It just gets funnier and funnier!
All of this Pot/Kettle type of hyprocracy...get over it!
Stick a fork in her, she's done.
Funny, how this makes the ticker....liberals still afraid of Palin...
Yet, little if any, mention of the unscrupulous dealings of Obama prior to the election; Ayers, ACORN, Rezko, Raines, Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, Rev Wright...his citizenship....all swept neatly under the carpet...
All while trying to bolster the importance of the postion of Community Organizer....
Well, libs, you'll see what you're going to get...
She must be vying for a position in the Obama administration.
A republican with a tax issue? Impeach her! (just kidding)
The United States of America doesn't ask much of her citizens: She asks that you obey her laws and pay taxes. Jury duty would be nice. Even military service is not required. Why is that so freakin' hard for a politician to accomplish? When she ripped into Joe Biden for saying paying taxes is "patriotic," did she even stop to think she was ripping off the country she professes to love? I just don't get it. Really.
NO, Palin's unpaid taxes are not "Private matter"! She is elected oficial, and her taxes are public matter. Who is next, republicans?
I love it. All this woman's troubles are coming home to roost. It couldn't happen to a more vindictive, ignorant woman. Please, GOP who reamed Daschle and Giethener, chime in now!
Looks like people in glass houses CAN throw stones
Way to go Sarah, now just GO AWAY
Well, well, well....I don't see Palin's lips moving now. That's what I say about trying to tend to other folk business and your own household needs cleaning.
PAY UP SARAH!!!
“The amount of taxes owed is a private matter,” Palin spokeswoman Sharon Leighow told the paper.
Really!
Oh my. Not Sarah, the perfect.
"The amount of back taxes owed is a private matter" unless you are a regular citizen of the USA and Palin is the VP.
Hmm. Rather interesting. So it's not just notable Democrats who did not pay their taxes. A couple of weeks ago, there was so much ado and selfrighteousness in reference to certain of Obama's cabinet picks. The truth – it always manages to sneak out.
That is a good start. Now will they go after her to pay taxes on the wardrobe the RNC provided her?
It would be private if you weren't hired by the taxpayers....which makes it public record.
Why is she still important?
She is the Leona Helmsley of Alaska "We don't pay taxes. Only the little people pay taxes ..."