Another Obama Appointee Owes Back Taxes

Giethner, Daschle, Killefer, Solis...and now Kirk.

The Associated Press reports that "Ron Kirk, nominated as U.S. Trade Representative in the Obama administration, owes an estimated $10,000 in back taxes from earlier in the decade" and has only now "agreed to make his payments."

The AP reports that the Senate Finance Committee said Monday that the taxes arise from Kirk's handling of speaking fees that he donated to his alma mater, and for his deduction of the full cost of season tickets to the Dallas Mavericks professional basketball team. The AP goes on to say that "Kirk routinely gave any speaking fees he earned to Austin College, the committee said, and did not list them on his tax returns. Instead, the committee said he should have listed the fees as income, then claimed them as charitable donations. The estimated effect was to reduce Kirk's tax bill by an estimated $5,800, according to the report. Kirk also deducted more than $17,000 as entertainment expenses for the cost of Mavericks' tickets. The committee said he substantiated about $9,900 of that amount, and will owe about $2,600 in taxes on the balance."
Tweet