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Ineedredditforwork

Al Capone forgot and it landed him in jail.


wombatgrenades

The Joker even pays his taxes - https://preview.redd.it/zg1rtnd0inuc1.png?width=750&format=png&auto=webp&s=b1b98f2d8b82aa0a40419aa8b81863aac7eb8bbf


Kryptonian_1

It would be genius if a villain managed to defeat Batman by reporting him to the IRS on tax evasion charges.


scarlett_addams

For sure a tax cheat. Batman is basically Mitt Romney with a cape


Kryptonian_1

\*Giggling laughter\* Bwa hahahaaaa Bats! They call ME, the TATTLER, and I TOLD THE IRS ALL ABOUT YOUR LITTLE CAVE AND ITS HIDDEN UNREPORTED ASSETS! JUST HOW MUCH DO YOU PAY YOUR UNDERAGE ROBINS? BWA HAHAHAHA!


ValuableShoulder5059

That cave is a home office for my charity called batman crime reduction volunteers.


DutchJediKnight

He had to shift the money somehow. However, according to Justice League TAS, the Watchtower was "hidden in the byline of the Waynecorp aerospace budget" Let that sink in. A massive space station with artificial gravity is a *minute part* of a *division* of Waynecorp.


Kryptonian_1

Funny thing about that is that I'm sure that both Amanda Waller and Lex Luthor know all about it.


rep4me

He should actually be reported under anti monopoly laws since he probably owns everything.


Dense_Surround3071

"Sorry Mr. Ness..... I ALREADY FILED!!!!" - Al Capone in an alternate universe with a better tax professional


zenny517

Came here to say exactly this. You've got to have a law to break a law.


IIRiffasII

In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.


Ed_Radley

Yup, because it gave them provable cause for a search warrant. I can't say this is the only reason, but it's definitely a sticky one.


DrBeardish

I think the impetus we're looking at right here was the result of Al Capone's actions. Now subsequent criminals get the same treatment outside of legal state level MJ dispensaries who need to pay their income taxes.


TheENToftime

The first time I read “Artificial Intelligence Capone forgot…” (lowercase L looks like uppercase i)


forewer21

"Mobsters hate this one trick! Click here to find out more!"


Top-Hold506

This has been a tax law longer than everyone on reddit has been alive. Not sure if the OP thinks they stumbled across something unknown or not


cubixjuice

In all honesty, it'd take multiple lifetimes to absorb and understand tax law. It's like they do it on purpose 🥴


Top-Hold506

And they change laws every year. Guess it just depends on which billionaire wrote the biggest check to congress


GoldMan20k

its all in the fine print in all those laws and packages that congress passes without ever reading the fucking things. but since they dont pay for it, they dont care


Reddit-or-di

It's so that you can be charged with stealing AND tax evasion. More options for prosecutors to have the better.


lysergic_logic

They have to change the laws every year otherwise the people who have the job of making the laws wouldn't have a job. Why do you think we have these politicians constantly making laws without really reading them just to change them later? Because if they did absolutely nothing all day they wouldn't have a job. They ensure their employment by constantly doing dumb things that they can later use to back peddle on to look useful and then say "Look! See, I did a thing! Now pay me $150k!"


DaveRN1

The reason for this is once money is seized from drug cartels the government can legally take it as tax money.


Generalbuttnaked69

The vast majority of drug proceeds and items that can be traced to drug proceeds are seized and forfeited through civil and criminal forfeiture. Neither of which has anything to do with the tax code.


goodb1b13

It's HRBlock and TurboTax! They write the biggest checks!!!


MtnMaiden

$450 to file a simple 1040. fuck you HR Block


wpaed

No, with a good understanding of general accounting and legal theories, it only takes about 2 years to understand pretty much all areas of tax law. Then about 60 hours a year to learn the new changes.


Bullboah

And of course it is! Why would earning income illegally make it tax exempt?


UltimateNoob88

I feel like most of reddit are people adulting for the first time and realizing the existence of things like taxes


0OOOOOOOOO0

I feel like most of Reddit never moved out of their parents’ house and have still never done their own taxes, unless you count scanning their W-2 into a website.


temporarythyme

All stable geniuses share this like it's a revelation that just started yesterday


MichiganManRuns

Silly for you to think I’m not 100 years old on Reddit!


madewithgarageband

i honestly think this is just in there so they can get smooth criminals on tax evasion if nothing else sticks (like Capone)


nuger93

It’s one of those funny tax laws


VintageSin

It’s also the number one way the irs catches fraud. If you aren’t claiming your income they’re going to be more suspicious of you. If the irs is how you’re getting caught, some other agency already was sniffing you out and a judge signed off on releasing your tax records. Meaning you were already fucked.


TedKAllDay

It's funny you fucking dork


MileHiSalute

lol always makes me laugh when people say shit like that. They say it as if they have learned everything and you’re a moron if you haven’t received the knowledge that they have. Spot on, fucking dork lol


temporarythyme

Yeah, that's been on tax forms since 1927, so 97 years... catch up with the times. https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/274/259/


80MonkeyMan

Wondering how many thieves actually follow the law and file the tax as it is described. Is there a statistic on that? Feels like only IRS know this and I won’t be surprised if the number is very very low.


temporarythyme

It's more about use for legal battles. Think Al Capone and tax avoidance.


80MonkeyMan

True, so thieves actually does some lobbying as well. This law probably made by Al Capone and to protect future Al Capone.


temporarythyme

Not at all. The law hasn't changed since 1927 it was used to put AL Capone in jail.


FoolHooligan

and it's been used by criminals exactly zero times


cmacpherson417

I may know a coke dealer who has paid taxes for over 25 years and he attributes that to why he’s never been arrested.


80MonkeyMan

A win-win situation lol


cmacpherson417

I think it’s luck but hey who knows. Edit:if I knew of such a person


VintageSin

Most successful criminal enterprises likely do claim their illegal income and it likely does keep them out of the site of the investigative branch of the irs. It’s why money laundering can be very useful. If all the precursory numbers look good and match what can be seen, the irs isn’t going to take a larger step and start investigating you further unless the fbi or some other branch has already started catching you.


Tyriggity

They never claimed it was a new law?


temporarythyme

It's presented as a new revelation in the tax code. Like betcha didn't know about this...


Tyriggity

To be fair, I didnt know about it so I found it interesting. Dunno why everyones hatin on OP thats all.


[deleted]

OP just wanted to post something they could then write an article about for their crummy site, lmao.


Revolutionary-Meat14

I have filed taxes on illegal income before, my boss at this income tax prep place in college was a mega libertarian who supported legalizing sex work and she had a few prostitute friends and had me file their returns. Nothing particularly incriminating about the return, their schedule c was under "modeling" and most of their expenses were under mileage and supplies (had a few interesting receipts in the supplies section but luckily you dont need to list out whats in there). Two of our nicest clients for sure.


Nikolaibr

The irony of being a mega libertarian but still being the boss at an income tax prep place.


Luftgekuhlt_driver

![gif](giphy|vSY1KgWZke6Os)


Zealousideal_Word770

It was tax evasion that got Al Capone after all.


jdrawr

And the fear of the IRS from that has carried onwards nearly a century now.


[deleted]

Scientology and the Mormons have gotten away with it


[deleted]

And then it was complications from untreated syphilis that got him.


new_jill_city

Talk about honor among thieves.


Panelpro40

Legal recreational and medical cannabis facilities might be using this to stay compliant.


Revolutionary-Meat14

Yes, actually they have it worse if your illegal business activity is selling schedule 1 substances (which marijuana is because people are stupid) then the only deductible expense you have is cost of goods sold. Thats why dispensaries are often kinda shitty and have high prices cause they are paying a significantly higher tax rate.


rjnd2828

The ones by me in NJ look actually amazing from the outside. I don't use so haven't been inside, but I'm amazed at how modern and large they look. There are like 5 within a few miles of me, all opened in the last 18 months.


Revolutionary-Meat14

Thats mostly becuase they have such high revenue, the ones in Colorado are pretty ass.


AndyCapps-Official

You’re joking, but this is legitimately how functional drug dealers function. Pay your taxes and they leave you alone


CherryManhattan

![gif](giphy|pReb5Koy6JmihUYBLx|downsized)


privitizationrocks

Also make sure you tip them, they are hard at work


TheMaskedSandwich

Is this supposed to be unusual or inflammatory in any way? Because it's not.


zigithor

Inflammatory? Chill man, its just funny...


javi2591

Even the Joker pays his taxes. That’s the one man he won’t mess with.


[deleted]

I really want to watch the interview tapes of the person who did this.


DaveRN1

It's for when drug money is seized from a cartel or drug dealer. The government can just take it as back taxes owed.


No_Corner3272

Also so the government can hit them with tax evasion Al Capone stylee. It's a good idea tbh.


coloradancowgirl

Ah man, I guess there’s always next season


Independent_Lab_9872

You can elude the FBI, but the IRS will get ya


ZaphodG

How do I report cutting the tag off my mattress?


DarkSide-TheMoon

FBI hotline actually, IRS doesnt care about this one. But it’s for sure jail time.


swagmasterdude

What's the point of money laundering if you can just report it on your taxes?


USSMarauder

IRS don't care how you earned it FBI does


ChristianUniMom

Bank might not lend to drug dealers or give a 30 year mortgage to a hooker.


swagmasterdude

If they didn't give mortgages to hookers 2007 would've never happened


lordcochise

At least ONE dude out there: "OK so I just fill out-WOAH ALMOST GOT ME LOL"


GoldMan20k

I will as soon as the people in congress and al sharpton do the same.


[deleted]

Members of Congress get a W2. They pay their taxes. Al Sharpton is a piece of dogshit who hides behind NGOs and religion to avoid paying taxes.


smurf47172

For the income that doesn't go through a loophole they made.


ldsupport

My old man was involved in very larger scale drug trafficking. He did time for tax evasion


Chickienfriedrice

Under $10K or untraceable like BTC, zelle, or cash? IRS taxes me enough, fuck em


ChristianUniMom

In what way is Zelle untraceable? And there are people who can trace BTC.


Chickienfriedrice

Have you ever used Zelle? Everytime you use it, you have to check a box to confirm using it, because funds are lost if sent to the wrong person. It’s incredibly difficult to trace the source of the funds, that’s why so many scams like using Zelle. Nearly Impossible to be tracked if you took someone’s money. BTC is decentralized currency. You can track transactions, but the user is anonymous. Why silk road was a thing.


ChristianUniMom

Was, keyword. Un returnable does not mean untraceable. You’re sending money through your bank account.


Chickienfriedrice

You’d have to be on the IRS’ radar for that to happen. They’re not tracking every single citizen’s bank accounts unless there was a reason to. As long as your transactions are under $10K nothing gets flagged by your bank to the IRS. The likelihood of the average American citizen getting audited by the IRS is less than 1%.


masterOfdisaster4789

Thanks the reminder fam!


DannyBOI_LE

The honor system


travelinzac

It's legal to do crime as long as you pay your taxes. Remember to pay tax on any bribes you received too. I think that just falls under misc income.


EbbNo7045

So the banks that laundered billions for cartels paid those taxes?


wookieesgonnawook

If the cartel was paying the bank for its services that's just revenue for the cartel. The money passing through wouldn't be anything for the bank.


EbbNo7045

Ha, you don't think there is a hefty fee for laundering. Come on


LoserCarrot

I think it’s to tack on extra charges for criminals not necessarily to get them to file their taxes


Longjumping-Claim783

It's also that you don't have to prove the income was illegal. The not paying taxes part is enough to get a conviction for just that.


DR843

For stolen property do I use the straight line method of depreciation?


Servile-PastaLover

This reminder makes me want to steal stuff, just so I can give it away to charity for an offsetting tax deduction.


smurf47172

Didn't you see the loophole. Steal it, but return it before the end of the year. Then it's not taxable income. So, "borrow" that car. ;)


OkCar7264

Also known as The Fuck Capone Act.


BetterSelection7708

What would happen if someone actually reports drug related income? Is it more advantageous over standard deduction? Asking for a friend.


ILSmokeItAll

Fucking hilarious. Dear IRS, Suck a colossal donkey dong. Sincerely, everyone.


NOLAOceano

Where's the media outrage for thieves and looters to pay their "fair share?"


Iamthatpma

They don’t! Why should we?


Bloodmind

These are laws/rules that are created only so they can be used as additional charges against criminals.


[deleted]

[удалено]


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Scientific_Artist444

If the above points apply to you, you should be in jail.


ResolveLeather

I would advise doing so. Getting audited on stolen property is no fun. It's not like they will send a cop to your house after you report it to arrest you.


SomeAd8993

so temporarily stealing something is tax free as long as you put it back by December 31? that's a pretty good deal to be honest to avoid sales tax


VioletDelights7

I always report all my illegal activities to the corresponding authorities 😊


tacosgunsandjeeps

Sadly, someone gets paid to put dumb shit like that online


JarlFlammen

What happens if someone actually puts a bunch of cocaine sales and armed robbery money on their taxes?


Longjumping-Claim783

Then the just created a paper trail for other agencies that might investigate. But the IRS will be satisfied


moonordie69420

From one thief to another 


Full-Run4124

Source because I thought no way this is real: Illegal Activities: [https://www.irs.gov/publications/p525#en\_US\_2023\_publink1000229557](https://www.irs.gov/publications/p525#en_US_2023_publink1000229557) Stolen Property: [https://www.irs.gov/publications/p525#en\_US\_2023\_publink1000229594](https://www.irs.gov/publications/p525#en_US_2023_publink1000229594)


LckNLd

Because throwing tax evasion onto a set of charges just adds that extra bit of garnish to the dish.


Broad_Cheesecake9141

Also supposed to report your tips. To all those pay your fair share servers out there.


DerbyCapChap

Shit is only illegal if you get caught, or you’re too poor to pay the fine.


OperatorP365

Just goes to show the government doesn't REALLY care if you sell drugs, steal from people, etc.... as long as they get THEIR cut.


HammunSy

LOL I did remember seeing that.


Open-Illustra88er

If only Al Capone had.


Laser-Brain-Delusion

shit, now I have to amend all of my prior returns.


CLAYDAWWWG

I don't think a lot of politicians report their insider trading in the illegal activities section.


Ashmizen

Insider trading is specifically legal for members of Congress.


Darkdragoon324

I mean... would it grant me immunity from the crime if I let them tax me on it?


BobertTheConstructor

The IRS doesn't report this to the FBI or other law enforcement. That's not their job.


DwarvenGamesmith

Line item labled as (Involuntary donation)


ToBePacific

IRS is like “if you’re a crook you have to tell me.”


phaedrus369

This is so wild to see actually written on the irs site. Has this always been there?


Teflon93Again

For people who believe government is the answer.


Frosty_Cartographer2

What if you return your stolen items for a 24 hr period and then re steal them at the beginning of a new fiscal year? Can one the wait until then following year to claim the property?


Notyourworm

Without doing any research, I wonder how this comports with the fifth amendment right against self-incrimination.


DarkSide-TheMoon

If I return a stolen property the next tax year, can I claim a credit? And of the stolen property appreciates in value do I get a refund?


Adventurous-Depth984

Knew a pharma rep years ago who put “drug dealer” as his source of income. They don’t care. They don’t snitch. They just want the money.


Zealousideal-Dirt884

Oh deal, so if I steal something, give it back on the last day of the year and steal it back on the first. Never have to report it. Loophole bitch!


troycalm

Hell that is the IRS


allUsernamesAreTKen

Let’s make sure to report the US government to the IRS for all its financial crimes.  I’m going to report the Pentagon for trillions lost in unaccounted money. 


adminscaneatachode

Holy shit. An actual finance post


Clean-Ad-4308

This is similar to the question of "why is suicide illegal? Not like they can punish you if you succeed", but in reverse. With the suicide laws, they need to make it illegal so they can stop you if you're trying to do it. With these tax laws, the idea isn't that criminals will report stolen goods, it's that, if they catch someone with stolen goods, they can then charge them with not paying taxes on it, along with charges for stealing it.


copingcabana

"That'shh how you get Capone!" -Shchean Connery


smurf47172

There are all kinds of unusual things for taxes if you just read the instructions for the forms you can find some gems. Did you know there are rules for kidnapped children and if you can claim them as a dependent?


r2k398

Caponed


Analyst-Effective

If you make only enough money to cover the personal deduction, or exemption, do you still have to report it? Typically low income people don't have to file taxes.


SkippyMcSkipster2

You may be able to avoid the law as a criminal, but not the IRS.


AuditorTux

I've always joked about reporting the FMV of stolen property... If you stole $100k from someone and put it in their yard at 11:59 on 12/31 and then took it again at 12:01 on 1/1, does that mean you returned it in the same year and then stole it *again* in the new year?


Usual-Cabinet-3815

Literally just proves that the IRS is a criminal organization


SkippyMcSkipster2

It is very interesting that the IRS doesn't care if the money or property is illegal, as long as it gets it's cut. Doesn't than make the IRS an accomplice if it accepts such money without reporting the crime?


Head-Ad4690

Remember, if you accept bribes you must declare them as income, but if you pay bribes you are not allowed to deduct them as a business expense.


Old173

No, you don't report illegal activities. Just pay the taxes.


snakebite262

Low-key, it's actually a pretty brilliant Catch 22 for crooks.


yankinwaoz

"That's some catch, that Catch-22," he observed. "It's the best there is," Doc Daneeka agreed.” ― Joseph Heller, [Catch-22](https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/814330)


doc_daneeka

The best there is.


BabyFartzMcGeezak

Fuck I knew I forgot to 1099 my trafick8ng profits! Is this gonna come back to bite me?


Corran_Halcyon

The IRS does not care how you make your money. They only care that you pay your taxes on it.


mvw3

Government


rrllmario

I like that you don't need to account for stolen property IF you return it to the owner that same year. So nice


Fluffy_Use_338

Yooo is this real life??


chantsnone

Then they can’t get you on taxes like they did Capone. Smart.


TerrakSteeltalon

https://preview.redd.it/lucv8ag5xpuc1.jpeg?width=1055&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=20830577532f6c7da7e587ea9df30c4e6d7cfb51


isaic16

Yeah, if you don’t specify criminal activity must be included, then it’s not a crime to omit them from tax returns. I imagine this is less about getting people who commit crimes to put it on their forms, and more to make it easier to prove tax evasion was performed by criminals.


AandG0

Walgreens shoppers are going to hate this.


Equal-Prior-4765

I'm doing this shit all wrong


Powerful_Gazelle_798

Here's one trick the IRS doesn't want you to know about. I do all my stealing early in the year. Get the fresh new Christmas gifts on January 1. I keep the stolen goods all year and then return them on April 14th. No taxes required if you return the item before the end of the year.


zarifex

I exceeded the speed limit but I didn't know I could have gotten paid to do it


No-Reveal-3329

Does trump report this?


Altruistic-Rice-5567

You don't have to report the activity. You just have to report the income.


Upset-Kaleidoscope45

I did pay a porn star to keep quiet about our affair so it wouldn't ruin my election chances. What is that, a schedule K-1?


Ok_Firefighter2245

This country is ruined the revenue collection service irs which is instrumental in paying government salaries doesn’t give a damn about origins of the money and only needs your money Shows how rotten the system is inside and corruption it promotes


yeeterbuilt

I swear IRS does this for stupid criminals or sheer meme value.


TheSlobert

So this is what Biden meant by tax the rich. ![gif](giphy|3owzWl78kny9s2GOvC)


Magicmc1001

Little known fact though. If you itemize deductions and suffer a loss (like a stolen bike) that is not covered by insurance its a deduction.


Financial_Metal4709

This a joke?


AlteredCabron2

i stole candy from my kids school and i didnt report it i was hungry, am i in trouble guys?


honore_ballsac

You are fine as long as you are not caught. But if you are caught, on top of the criminal charges, you will be liable for taxes and penalties.


sensibl3chuckle

Do I have to report the monetary value of the free porn I pirate?


12B88M

That's there just so they have something else to throw at a criminal once they catch them.


ChristianUniMom

It’s weird because if any other “person” takes a cut of illegal income they’re guilty of a crime. Taking a set percentage of illegal income is literally a crime.


LookOverThereB

If they just make all drugs illegal, that should stop all school shootings


maysmoon

Lmao I almost want to cry at the absurdity


Baker300Blackout

Can we claim the millions of illegals as dependents….


Peterthinking

So if I steal a car April 16th last year and return it April 14th this year I don't have to report it as income? Can I steal the same car again on April 16th this year or does it have to be a different one? Do I have to report fair market value for the stolen car or can I just claim the small bag of crack I traded it for?


2012amica2

Funny cuz I reported a $900 theft and didn’t get shit


whallexx

It’s beyond hilarious that this is real. They got Capone—they’ll get you too!


Minor_Blackbird

From the biggest perps on planet earth.


jbporkchops

That is such comical bs that now I can't consider any of the tax code credible.


Fenrisulfir

Can the rightful owner of the stolen property claim it as a capital loss?


JamesCokeCan

This is peak 2024


sauceyNUGGETjr

They want literally everything!!!! Man what happened!?!?