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

[RBMjr]

What can you expect? He hasn't had a real job in more than six years.

[Suzanne]

I believe that the IRS code has become so complex that anyone, and I mean, anyone that they focus on can be considered a tax cheat and they can call you out.

Did you ever hire a cleaning lady for a couple of weeks and just pay her a set sum? Does that mean that you must take her social security number and file those few monies as wages? I'll bet something a bit larger was the downfall of several (usually female) federal appointees.

That said. That is about as considerate as I am willing to be with the dems.

S

[Stephan]

With a 700% tax increase on Cigars, maybe he could smoke a couple of Stimulus Cigars....that could help!

[deroy]

when Arnold is picked it will be time to DEPORT him.

Schwarzenegger is an illegal alien. he is also an unindicted felon. he entered the USA illegally after
deserting his poistion as a soldier in the Austrian Army.

in WWII deserters were shot.

he is a traitor to Austria and an illegal alien ibn the USA.
perhaps as high up as Edward Kennedy got him citizenship.

this man's whole life is a fake.

he claimed he has a degree from the U of Wisconsin-Superior.
i can guarantee that not only has he never been to Superior but that he could not find it on a map.

TWO CHOICES: DEPORT or INDICT!

[Fresh_Water]

The IRS sent me a notice of lien once for a few thousand dollars. It took perseverance but eventually it was discovered that THEY OWED ME more than that. I owed them nothing (more than what I'd paid on time, regularly). The IRS is well known to cast out their threats and it's the "recipient" who then has to prove them wrong. They DO make errors and they DO act politically as per certain key requests from individuals -- which in my case I strongly assumed was the cause of the weird threat that arrived directed toward me, utterly inexplicable.

I don't care for Schwarzenegger's Liberalism but if his spokesperson's being honest (lien is inexplicable to Schwarzenegger), then I'd easily conclude that the Left/Demos are targeting him for further embarrassment. The ACORN thing runs so deep in the DNC, I'm sure Jerry Brown and Holder are scrambling on Obama's behalf to ruin any and everyone they possibly can to try to avoid further scrutiny of ACORN.

By the way, Schwarzenegger asked for ACORN in CA to be investigated. So put the issues together here...

[Dakota Kid]

A mistake of $79,000 for 2 years of taxes (including penalty and interest) for Arnold is about like the average person owing $50 (plus penalty and interest= $79). Imagine how complicated his tax returns are. He probably missed some royalty income or something minor like that. For him to be in this close of agreement with the IRS calculations is nothing short of amazing given the complexity of the tax code.
Nothing to get excited about.
Not even worth reporting in my opinion.

[Vicotr Morales]

Please, I highly doubt he owes taxes, also i find it kind of funny that people are slamming Arnold on him being Gov. Maybe if the Liberal State legislature didn't spend California into the ground the state wouldn't be so hard up on trying to get money.

The fact that Arnold has to fight tooth and nail to prevent the states budget from increasing every year shows me he is doing his job.

Maybe its time for all these union backed state workers to either get layed off or take a paycut.

Hate on Arnold all you want but when you have 1 hand tied behind your back by a state legislature that is inept ( lets not get started with Pelosi and friends like Boxer who pretty much screwed over that California farmer ) . What else can a person do?

[BOB]

Don't any of these elitists ever pay their taxes? No wonder the country is so in debt. They only pay when caught!

[anonymous]

The IRS is a typical government screw-up agency. My wife once overpaid her taxes by 3000 $, and the IRS wanted to charge her more because they thought she had ONLY paid 3000 $ dollars of their taxes. An IRS agent told my to ignore the emails and automated calls she was getting, and told her she would receive the refund for the 3000 $ she overpaid. Instead she received a warrant for her arrest. My wife finally took this to court, and it was resolved but she never did get her 3000 bucks back.

[anonymous]

The IRS is a typical government screw-up agency. My wife once overpaid her taxes by 3000 $, and the IRS wanted to charge her more because they thought she had ONLY paid 3000 $ dollars of their taxes. An IRS agent told my to ignore the emails and automated calls she was getting, and told her she would receive the refund for the 3000 $ she overpaid. Instead she received a warrant for her arrest. My wife finally took this to court, and it was resolved but she never did get her 3000 bucks back.

[Pixel Patriot]

he now has standing for nbc eligibility lawsuit...
the list grows by the minute

[BHO]

Mmmmmm mmmmm mmmmmm
running CA like his personal life

[David Smith]

So he really is a democrat after all. He now has the prerequesite to fit right into the Obama administration.

[David Smith]

So he really is a democrat after all. He now has the prerequesite to fit right into the Obama administration.

[azee]

If all these celebs would pay their taxes, Cali would balance their budget. It's time to get more harsh with these evaders.

[Cat in NJ]

I wonder if Arnold will be getting the Charlie Rangel deal as well.

[IRS Mistake]

People please this is not worth the time of day. This is an error of the IRS it happens every day. It's happened to me I had to go in and get it fixed.Pain in the rear but it's up to you to fix thier mistakes. So you want government control e.g. health care, education, banking etc... Get ready this is going to happen to you too... Good luck!

[Lou]

THE SHAME HERE IS IN THE END ARNOLD WILL OWE NOTHING!
THIS IS GOV'T GOING CRAZY! YOU ARE CHARGED B-4 YOU CAN ANSWER THE CLAIM. ARNOLD HAS ACCT'S AND LAWYERS ANS I'LL BET WITH HIM HE PAYS HIS DEPTS TO THE PENNY. HIS NAME AIN'T LIPPMAN OR MADOFF!!!!

[imnotin]

Our families tax issues started in 1992, although the Irs did not notify until years later, making interest and penalties.. Since then it has been a battle, that is still going on until today.

I understand what it means to live in fear of my own government.

I bet everyone out there knows someone or has a family member or friend that had or has tax issues.. its not becuase we are all dem or repub or lib or criminals..

It is becuase our government Is corrupt plain and simple.. Stand up today or you may be next..

[Beartrace]

I knew he was more of a Democrat than a Republican.

[Geo]

Americans Love to pay taxes and Americans want to pay more are some off the sound bytes I just love to hear. More taxes, More Fees and More Penalties IS the AMERICAN WAY. Arold is a POS, but WE are next. Everything we have will be taken by the FED and the GOV. Bailouts weren't enough. More More More. Theres a better way. Its called FREEDOM. Wake up America.

[Terry Hamilton]

Has anyone ever noticed how politicians love to raise taxes. Even with this current health-care debate going on the politicians are focused to raise taxes on the "rich" to pay. Would you, as a sensible person be willing to raise your own taxes to the 70%, 80% or even 90% level most of these politicians are looking to do. And yet that is exactly what these politicians are proposing. If you have looked recently I highly doubt you will find a single congress-person or Senator currently holding office that isn't worth several millions of dollars. They are and should be included in the very same class of "rich" people they keep talking about to tax for health-care.

Maybe now we know why they are so willing to tax the rich is because none of them pay taxes. They are exempt from the laws they pass on the rest of us. A fairly successful person creates a business and makes some real money and the government comes and takes it away while our Congressmen and Senators live in luxury at our expense, tax-free.

Is something wrong with this picture? Do I smell a skunk? These politicians are more than willing to tax a milti-millionaire 90% of their income because although most of our politicians are multi-millionaires themselves they will never pay those taxes.

[Dex]

"Sounds like he was just vetted for a Obama cabinet position."
Posted by: Roger

Republicans are such unimaginative automatons. It's really quite hilarious how many of you posted the "Arnold/Obama cabinet position" line on this blog as though it was an original thought.

[Taxpaying Citizen]

So let me get this straight, the hypocrite governor, who has the unmitigated gall to lecture us on how raising taxes, is the only cure for his and the legistlature's spending addiction, doesn't pay his own taxes? It is time we bring back tarring and feathering. All these worthless elected officials need to be punished, not sent packing with a golden parachute (ie huge pension, gold-plated health care, etc), but with hot tar poured over their heads while citizens throw feathers at them, and then leave them to clean up the mess for a change.

[Peanut1000]

Geithner was behind on his taxes and when he had to pay up, he only had to pay for the previous 3 years as 3 years is the statue of limitations. So why is the IRS going beyond the statue of limitations to put a lien on Arnie's assets? Or does the statue of limitations only apply for those that are in congress, the senate, and are members of Barrack Hussein Obama's personal team?