So now we learn that the nice guy (Christian Lopez) who caught Derek Jeter’s 3,000th hit (which happened to be a homerun) and didn’t ask for anything in exchange for the ball, is going to be punished by the IRS. Why, you ask?
Well, now we know who failed his class on “How to think like the IRS” don’t we?
Here’s what happened: When Christian refused to demand payment for the ball, the Yankees rewarded him with luxury box seats for the rest of the season (along with some other things), to thank him for his generous spirit. The value of the gifts comes to around $32,000. Experts estimate the ball Christian caught could have fetched around $250,000 to 300K in an auction. So, really, this was a nice example of a fan showing his appreciation to one of his favorite players and the player (and his team) returning the favor by rewarding him for his good spirit. Happy story. Makes me feel good and all that.
Until this morning when I see again that the IRS is determined not to allow any act of generosity to go unpunished. They have put Christian on notice that he might owe them money since he demonstrated the bad judgment to be unselfish and generous. In fact, Christian might owe them as much at $13,000 in payment.
That’ll certainly teach him not to be so unmaterialistic! How dare he refuse to show so little love for “filthy lucre”? If everybody acted like Christian Lopez, . . . what would become of us?? I mean, where did he learn to act like this? He has to be some kind of right-wing extremist plotting to undermine the government . . . . generosity?? c’mon!
Doesn’t it make you feel safe to know that the IRS is so watchful to catch all the “bad guys” who try to cheat our government?
Yeah. Me too.
If the IRS wants to dun him for the reward, then he should take the $250,000 as a deductible contribution.
He can refuse the “free” tickets! The IRS is not punishing him. This is the law. Just because he didn’t know it (like if he won the lottery and is stunned to discover he has to pay taxes), doesn’t matter. He should have kept the ball and sold it… and paid taxes on that … and bought season box tickets…
Yeah Davd I understand your point, but just because something is the law doesn’t make it right. Don’t you find it a little unsettling that in any situation where Person A is confronted with season tickets for free, he must decline or pay money?