Yet another example of just how sick America is. Bet 99.99% of SS had no idea this has been happening for years. Note that this is a proposed law change, it hasn't passed yet, and indeed why should it? After all, "You didn't earn that medal, somebody else made that happen! So pay up!" As Doug Casey said to Lauren Lyster, "The US government regards its citizens as milk cows, and if necessary, beef cows." http://p.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/aug/1/rubio-bill-eliminates-federal-tax-olympic-medals/ Rubio bill eliminates federal tax on Olympic medals By Stephen Dinan - The Washington Times, Wednesday, August 1, 2012 Sen. Marco Rubio introduced a bill Wednesday to eliminate the federal government's tax on Olympic medals, saying the levy amounted to yet another way the government tries to punish those who succeed. Athletes who win a gold medal also earn a $25,000 honorarium and with it an $8,986 tax bill to the IRS, according to Americans for Tax Reform, which crunched the numbers. That covers both the honorarium and the tax on the value of the gold in the medal itself. The silver medal tax comes to $5,385, and the bronze medal tax is $3,502 including $2 for the value of the bronze medal itself, and the $10,000 honorarium. That could leave amateur athletes in many cases still teenagers facing stiff tax bills when they return to the U.S. Mr. Rubio said that shouldn't happen. "Our tax code is a complicated and burdensome mess that too often punishes success, and the tax imposed on Olympic medal winners is a classic example of this madness," the Florida Republican said. His bill would exempt the honorarium and the value of the Olympic medal itself from any federal taxes. Congress is currently fighting over how to adjust the broader tax code and whether to let the Bush-era tax cuts expire. But Mr. Rubio said the Olympic winners shouldn't have to wait until lawmakers finish that job. "We can all agree that these Olympians who dedicate their lives to athletic excellence should not be punished when they achieve it," he said. As of Wednesday evening, the U.S. had collected 12 gold medals, eight silvers and nine bronzes though a number of those were in team competitions. So the men's relay team that won gold in the 4x200 meter freestyle event would together owe nearly $63,000 to Uncle Sam for the four swimmers in the final and the three who took part in preliminary heats. All told, U.S. athletes have 64 medals 27 golds, 18 silvers and 19 bronzes which comes to a tax bill of nearly $350,000. Swimmer Ryan Lochte, the most-decorated American athlete so far, faces a tax bill of $23,357 for his two golds and a silver. ATR, the group that crunched the numbers, said it's unlikely any of America's competition will face the same taxes because the U.S. "is virtually the only developed nation that taxes 'worldwide' income earned overseas by its taxpayers."
What twisted journalism - the tax is on the $25,000 windfall the athlete is awarded for winning a medal.
if the athletes are publicly funded then they should pay up, it's the same as artists, musicians, sculptors, climate scientists and career university students, once you earn you should pay.
I agree. Tax the prize money, but not as much, since it is not really considered winning a lotto as the athletes participate and compete for a 'living'. However, since the difference between winning and losing is make or break, perhaps have low tax on the prize money, something like 5-10% tax. Win, you get prize money and should be taxed a bit. Lose, you go home empty handed. Balance and Logic.
As one of those University students I couldn't agree more. Why is it that society (as a rule) seems to think rewarding those who who chase pig leather around, or flap their arms in the water is perfectly acceptable practice yet those who want to further their minds have to pay for it? - Apologies for the long sentence. I'm studying Engineering not English lit
think about all the aussie athletes who has a day job and train from their own money in their spare time...and won gold medal...
What a load of crap I was a professional athlete as a junior , you get no help financially until you reach the top . Box Hill athletics club funded all my travel & that's it ,I was lucky I was with them . Not many people had that luxury . Most people's parents funded they're kids .You get some help with the AIS ,but not much . You only make money after you've won gold . The gov has to fund the athletes somewhere . But professional athletes like the USA basketballer's ,they pay tax . The real issue is professional athletes competing where the amateurs are competing . Professional athletes shouldn't be allowed in the olympics
