IRS files $79,000 tax lien against Schwarzenegger [Updated]

The Internal Revenue Service has filed a federal tax lien against Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger for nearly $80,000, public records show.

The lien was filed May 11 at the Los Angeles County recorder's office for $79,064, according to a record in an electronic database that includes lien filings. The record does not indicate what property the lien was placed on, but it lists the debtor as Arnold Schwarzenegger with the governor's home address in Brentwood.

[Updated at 11:42 a.m.: A federal tax lien would be attached to all of the governor’s properties, according to the IRS.]

The lien was reported this morning by TMZ.com, which posted a copy of a lien document that says it is from the county recorder's office. That document shows that Schwarzenegger owes $39,047.20 from 2004 and $40,016.80 from 2005. The document also lists a section of the IRS code that suggests the debt may be penalties for a failure to report certain business transactions.

Schwarzenegger's spokesman, Aaron McLear, said in a statement that the "governor has paid his taxes in full and on time."

"No one, including the IRS, has notified the governor of any issues whatsoever with his taxes," McLear said. "We are contacting the IRS to determine if the document in question, which appears to be a penalty for missing info and not for unpaid taxes, is legitimate and if there is any discrepancy to resolve."

-- Michael Rothfeld in Sacramento

Comments

[zippy]

Must be for all those red zones catching up to you GOV .LOL

[asdf]

AWWWWW-NOLD!

[joe]

The richer they are the more crooked they are

[Leona Helmsley]

Only "little people" pay taxes.

[Peter]

How does TMZ get the scoop on this story over the LA Times? Either the LAT staff are too young and inexperienced or the paper is far too understaffed. Sad!

[Andrew Bulles]

Another example of why we need to end the federal income tax... Where in the U.S. Constitution does the federal government have a right to process a "tax lien" on a state citizen outside of federal jurisdiction. The IRS can because it does because "we the People" are too apathetic to resist this tyranny! Time to Stop these unlawful intrusions in the lives of FREE PEOPLE!

If Arnold has the balls, he should fight this action! If he wins, he could set a precedent and help all in fellow citizen return the government to the people!

[Joe Jericho]

The IRS is horrible.

A lot of politicians apparently don't pay their taxes.

The guy in the middle, all of us reading the paper, are stuck in the middle and must float the bill for all of it. Pathetic.

[nhlfoda]

If Arnold had been working for Obama, this wouldn't be an issue.

Why isn't the IRS going after scum like Charlie Rangel, Tim Geithner, and the rest of the tax cheats working within the Obama administration? Why isn't the media hounding these people and exposing them for the scum the truly are?

I guess this is just a sign of the times when people like Rangel are in Congress living off the backs of the taxpayers, rather than prison where he belongs.

Maybe it's time we all stopped paying taxes.... after they throw us all in jail.

[Anthony]

No wonder they were parking in red zones . wag the dog.

[raaa]

If TMZ got it wrong, can you please sue those bloodsuckers, Arnold?

Make my day!

[syscom3]

I wouldn't doubt that this is an illegal attempt by the IRS to intimidate politicians the democrats dont like.

The Gov has a top notch accounting firm looking over his finances to keep things like this from occurring, and for the IRS to suddenly declare "problems" stretches credulity.

If the IRS cant provide information by EOB on Monday, severe legal action should be filed against the IRS agents who initiated this.

[Joyce Becker]

Seems that the more money people have the more reasons the find excuses not to pay their taxes. Wonder if Arnold will have to pay a big fine.

[Doug in Toronto]

Ah, California: the Deadbeat State. Nice to see that Ahhhhhnold is leading by example.

[L LeGrande]

The taxpayer ID regarding this lien is not a social security number. It is an ID which applies to corporations, partnerships, s-corporations, and other such business entities.

[tc]

Well, "High Five" Arnold Schwarzenegger. About time you behave like "the rest of us" with businesses that we can no longer pay taxes on, much less ourselves.

[Mschliebs]

Is Aaron McLear on Arnold's payroll, or mine?

[Richard Ivey]

You will get the straight information on Schwarzenegger's tax delinquency no sooner than he owns up to his abuse of steroids while pumping iron.

[pablo]

Now they need to focus on that crook Charlie Rangel.

[Logic46]

The guy is worth 9 figures. It ain't even chump change nor an issue of any interest (no pun intended)

[Sheree Itza]

It is amazing to me how such a wealthy, arrogant, and sometimes bragadocious Governor of the "Land of make believe" could be so unsure of whether or not he owes taxes or penalties; Get real!The average person knows better. It is quite dissolusioning to see a continuous repeat of theivery and dishonesty among the powerful and wealthy perhaps this is a tried and true method of keeping ones wealth.

[Phil E. Drifter]

Sounds shady.IRS-Shady, I mean. Why would the governator not pay his taxes? Perhaps Those Who Cannot Be Named who own both big ticket parties (to project the illusion of democracy) are setting him up for a fall.

[George Thornton]

I would zing the governor for a good laugh... but, the truth is the tax code is so complex if you have ANY amount of assets you can never be sure if you taxes were filed correctly, etc. etc. etc. This only proves it.

Sometimes being poor has it advantages. (couldn't resist) ;)

[Jane Public]

he can pay that easily, the Governor will be fine....

[Laura]

I don't care WHO you are - taxes come due. I love that at least the IRS doesn't treat him any differently because he's an actor - OR the governor of Caleefornya. If this IS a mistake, hopefully this particular case can shed some light on the problems plaguing the IRS system. A normal citizen would be freaked out of their mind to get a 4 years' old bill of $80k come due around the holidays - we don't all have millions to just throw some cash at the IRS and be done with it. Must be nice. I hope he doesn't just get someone to sweep this under the rug though if it IS true. We have to pay - he has to pay - it's what's right.

[Travis]

Seems all politicians are taxcheats, or do we just hear about politicians, or, have so many laws been passed, that we are all criminals now.