Under what law are americans obligate to pay any taxes to the IRS.
Show me THE LAW.

Carlos A Leon Sr, bRONX, NY,

snipes should be punished and the famous should be treated the same as everyone else but 3 years is ridiculous paying it back should be sufficient.

logan Leach, calgary, canada

the sentencing of snipes was more than harsh, community work or probation and paying back all the tax money and interest would have been approriate, u know judges surprises people sometimes, what about rapists,child molesters ect who are not even sentenced to a a year in jail, money matters more

joe, joburg, south africa

To Chuck in Spingfield


Why be so stuck up about someone you don't know.
Be real 3 years is to much time for not paying taxes

Tracy Guy, Champaign, US

I am a very big fan of Mr. Snipes. I felt that the decision for jail time was a bit much . I thought he should have paid a fine of back taxes and be done with it. Why send a celebrity like Mr. Snipe to jail over tax dollars.

Tracy Guy, Champaign, US

Let's not act like the same people who were responsible for convicting him, haven't found ways to short pay the government of it's taxes. The money we do pay is being sent overseas. It definitely isn't being used for the good of the US Citizens. I don't think they should sentence him, HIRE HIM!

Shelia Edwards, Austin,

Mr. Snipes, like so many before, brazenly evaded his taxes. The IRS & the good ol' Feds, seek those who have the most to gain/most to hide..Mr. Snipes has offered to try to pay back what he owes+++ and he has not hurt anyone in the process. Give him that opportunity for payback no matter how much.

Ben, Essex, USA

I'm a great fan of Mr. Snipes' work. However, while some judges are manipulated into allowing far more serious criminals to walk away from appropriate sentencing, it doesn't negate the fact that Mr. Snipes is in violation of U.S. laws regarding payment of taxes. I look forward to his release.

Esther L. Childs, Georgetown, USA

when is he to be resealed coz i herd rumers of a blade 4 and seeing as hes in prison i dout it true well atleast not for a wiyal

Thomas, Feltham, England

Celebrities should be treated like anyone else. He DESERVES his sentence.

K. Clough, Beaverton, Oregon

I am outraged by the jail time given. They let child molesters go free or a small slap on the wrist. The message that sends is " molest our children but don' t you dare steal our money!" Probation and community service would have been a more fitting punishment

Cheryl, South Yarmouth, USA

The difference between tax avoidance and tax evasion is usually a good tax adviser, clearly Snipes made some poor choices.

Stuart G, St. Helier, Jersey

Watch the documentary 'America: Freedom To Fascism' on Google Video, and be given evidence that there is NO law requiring US citizens to pay income tax, and the story of the fraudulent creation of the Federal Reserve banking system in 1913.

Snipes has been jailed illegally.

JM, Brighton, UK

There are only two certainties in life that you cannot avoid: death and taxes.

Rob, Swansea, UK

Listen, if you break the law no matter who you are; you have to suffer the consequences like everyone else; I don't like paying taxes and following some rules either; but it it what it is; he is fortunate to have made lots of money; What's his problem ?
Shame on him. !

Teri B, Boston, USA

"For nearly a decade Snipes has engaged in a campaign of criminal tax conduct combining brazen defiance with insidious concealment"
for the last 10 decades the IRS has engaged in a campaign of criminal tax conduct combining brazen defiance (of constitutional law) with insidious concealment...

Mark, Milford NH, USSA (United Socialist States of America)

Who is going to pay for Snipes to sit in jail for 3 years,his water,heating,food? Before someone says that it can't be done,I know,but it would be a good idea to work out how much his time in jail would cost the tax payer,then get Snipes to contribute that amount to charity&community servce order!

Damian, Manchester,

Wayne in HK - Martha Stewart and Conrad Black were both given custodial sentences. It's not always a race issue.

spike., london, england.

Why is it always about race? Once people look beyond race, and see that wrong is wrong no matter what race you are, then the world would be a much better place to live in. Anyone lose a job lately? Have healthcare? Lost their home?
That's something to talk about!

Jas , Bainbridge,

More importantly, what about Blade? You can't imprison Blade!! Still, if anyone tries any funny stuff in jail I hope they release the CCTV footage, he's a black belt in Karate:)

Ted, London, UK

Snipes kick starting the revolution!!

Timmahh, Oxford, England

If only the FAIR TAX was enacted. Then Mr. Snipes would have paid his fair share of taxes like everyone else and be making movies instead of sitting in a jail cell. We all may not agree with the tax system but it is the law and makes our society work. Break the law and end up in jail

Dave, Atlanta, GA

Well, I guess Wesley Snipes thinks that tax is theft.... and when you look at government spending, who can blame him ?

trismegistos, Paris, France

A lot of these comments show how subservient and submissive people have become to the almighty government. I rejoice when someone manages to keep what they earned. Wes, I admire you for the courage to disobey the fascists in Washington, you did nothing wrong. The government can go to hell.

Andy, NYC, USA

The people who collect tax are amongst the worst criminals we have ever seen in recorded history. The fact that we are still made to pay tax proves that society is still in its very early stage of evolution. Show me a bill of what I am costing society and I will gladly pay it.

Ayn Rand, NYC,

This should be good for Mr Snipes career, his acting will hopefully develop a new authenticity and get him out of the "straight-to-video" market. Perhaps he could even challenge Robert De Niro's Method acting crown. Can't wait for the prison flicks when he gets out...

Dave Ziet, Brixton, UK

The fact is there's no written law saying that the government can tax your income. Property yes, but not income. Think about why the Boston Tea Party happened to begin with. Were they wrong for not wanting to pay the tea and other taxes?

Ato Clark, Boston, MA, USA

I love the way in which Hollywood "stars" are able to choose their imprisonment dates.

Paris Hilton and lots more really must appreciate that.

RB, Lauzun, France

About time celebrities realised they cannot get away with breaking the law just because they are well known. Put more of them behind bars for thier crimes, instead of pandering to thier over inflated ego's.

Ron, Milton Keynes, Bucks

Well EJ, if it's on the internet, it must be true.

John, Tampa, USA

A travesty of justice. It costs tax payers approximately $150,000 for his prison term. How does this help the American people? The US must rethink its criminal justice system. The American taxpayer would be better served by imposing a large fine and requiring Wesley to perform community service.

Melissa, Maryland, USA

There is no law stating you have to pay Income Tax. First, what is income tax? Do yourself a favor and watch Aaron Russo's documentery on You Tube about the IRS. Gasoline taxes pay for your highways and local taxes pay for your schools. Do you know where your income tax goes??? You'll be suprised.

EJ, Rocksvillage,

I am finally glad that they are giving these celebrities the full sentences. I am sick of hearing about celebrities only spending 86 minutues in jail or 48 hours. I applaud the US Justice Department for finally doing their JOBS!!!

Alison, St. Louis,

The idea that he is being jailed for his skin colour is laughable.

It seems to be American culture to shout out when a black person is found guilty.

He is being jailed because he conned the tax system and that is against the law. It doesn't matter if the state uses the funds for schools or war

Lucy, Fakesville,

For awhile, it appears Mr. Snipes was "laughing all the way to the bank." It similarly appears, post-conviction, he'll be crying all the way to the prison mess hall.

Edward B Woody Ryder IV, Greenlawn, NY/USA

Wayne, Hong Kong. So all of those white men sent to prison from various major companies for fraud and coruption don't count then? You can hardly use two, unrelated instances to prove a point. Jones was a drug cheat. Snipes a tax avoider. Al Capone got done for tax evasion!

David Leslie, Perth, Scotland

As a black man let me say that these people who are speaking about a war of the government against blacks are completely clueless, the first and formost threat to blacks in the USA are other black people who commit murder and assault against their own without thinking twice about.

RRT, Philly, USA

Another friend of Obama, but if you criticize his illegal behavior you are a racist.

Bob Hall, New York, United States

DavidL from Ervine, you are quite funny. All those black men in jail are innocent, right ?? The vile po-lees just picked them off the streets, judge threw them behind bars for no fault of theirs. Methinks you've seen "Hurricane" too many times.

Roy, Bangalore,

farewell mr blade...

diva, tokyo,

Wayne,
Marion jones cheated and cost all of her teammates their self respect and medals. Snipes just did the same thing. Don't turn this racial. Race has nothing to do with this. The man didn't pay his taxes for years and in addition tried to buck the system when called on it.

Gary, Fargo, United States

For Wayne, Hong Kong, China - it's because white people pay their taxes. Why should Wesley Snipes get away with it when it's the law? just because of who he is? he's not superman.
Im a big fan of Wesley Snipes dont get me wrong, he has alot of money why not pay them in the first place?

James, London, England

In response to James Tampa Florida
People go to jail because they commit crimes we all agree with that
But the questions are
what percentage of black men accused of a crime go to jail
compared to white men
and of those found guilty and sent to jail,are black men receiving higher jail terms

Kirwin Daniel, Prague, Czech Republic

Paying taxes is something we all must do......It is necessary for our country to thrive. If you don't like it go live somewhere else, the rest of us won't mind!

kate, ocala,

Help continue to fund our illegal war, pay your taxes please.....

Mark, HH, uk

First Marion Jones, then Wesley Snipes - it really does seem that the US justice system comes down like a ton of bricks on successful black people - much more so than successful white people.

Wayne, Hong Kong, China

In response to DavidL, Irvine,Ca, USA. 1 in 20 black men are in jail because those 1 in 20 black men are criminals who defy the legal system by using history as a blanket. my neighborhood has 1 in 20 black men standing on the corner pushing crack. Help wanted signs behind posted behind them.

James, Tampa, Fl, USA

These Americans are trying to do whatever they can to destroy black people. It is virtual a living genoicide what they are trying to do. Over 1 million black men are in jail. 1 in 20 black men are in jail in America. There is a coming war.

DavidL, Irvine,CA, USa

Good news for vampires everywhere.

J, London,

“For nearly a decade, Snipes has engaged in a campaign of criminal tax conduct combining brazen defiance with insidious concealment,”

Sounds much more like the venal government than Mr Snipes...

"All authority and tax collecting is against Gods law"

Hugh E Torrance, London, England

US actions in Iraq are the actions of a terrorist organisation. Depleted uranium U238, napalm, cluster bombs, white phosphorus. Murder and mayhem; brutalizing a civilian population. Therefore, by paying your taxes you are subscribing to a terrorist organisation. Illegal under US and UK law.

Andrew Milner, Karuizawa, Japan

I can't believe people are saying its because he's black! How pathetic. You are the people that are guilty of ensuring racism is alive in this world today

Tania, Stoke-on-Trent, England

Irrespective of whether you think you should have to pay tax & regardless of race, the fact is, Snipes makes enough money to evade paying $15M. To me, his not paying is just selfish. I doubt he'll do the full 3yr. Community service in an area which people struggle to pay for anything would be better

Urs, AK, NZ

This guy hired a tax lawyer with criminal charges already against him, knowlingly applied for refunds he wasn't entitled to and threatened staff. Of COURSE the reason he his being jailed is because he's black! Perhaps he should have paid his taxes like everyone else has to. just a suggestion

Tracey, Nottingham, United Kingdom

I don't know what Snipes really had in mind by confronting the IRS. To me there is more to this than just personal gain. It looks more to me like using his Big Star position to expose the illegal requirement for citiszens to pay taxes on personal revenues.
Unfortuantely and expectedly he lost.

Michel Bisson, Berlin, Germany

There is NO INCOME TAX LAW in America!! The IRS Tax Is Illegal, there is no law to support it!

The income tax is not "proportional", as it's in proportion to nothing, making it illegal. Check it out for yourself.

They are making an example of him and illegally jailing him.

US Justice :(

Andrew T, England,

To Cay Ebanks:

You're quite right. Tyson was jailed for being black and rich. Nothing to do with being a rapist. We should let those guys off, huh?

Michael, Reading, England

it has everything to do with Mr Snipes being black,just to be made an example of.How many celebrities are out there doing the same thing! If you can't answer it means chances are everyone is doing it.Its all about who u know in life favor for a favor.the other side could be Mr Snipes had poor......

Dru, london , england

Straight to video? I fear you may have been hibernating during the release of the blade movies. I think they grossed somewhere in the region of $350 million. Thats some expensive videos! :o)

Eddiekid, Ludlow, UK

advisers. If he was so guilty how could the mastermind only get 3 years.My point is when your famous u become a product to the world so anything your staff does you are responsible.U might not be aware of certain descions that people for u.face it half of these celebs dont even choose their own food

Dru, london , england

Aloha,
His two advisors got 10 years and 4.5 yrs.He wrote letters to the IRS stating that he did not have to pay taxes due to this philosophy.Then he tried to say that he was duped! With his kind of money, it would have been so much easier to hire a top rate account to find legal loop holes.

Donald Thomas, Pahoa,HI, USA

Jesus, I've heard of tax evaders, but this guy is a tax stalker! A first for me.

eugene, heidelberg, germany

His films were not to my taste - he should get off for the tax offence and 20 years for insulting our intelligence with his silly films.

Frederick, London, UK

What Law did he break. Show me the specific Law in black and white that requires US citizens to file an Income tax return.
A Law that was ratified by all States, thus making it a Legal Federal Law.

Micheal, ChCh,

Leona Hemsley received prison time also. Regardless of color, why do some blacks always make it a racial thing. What Snipes did was illegal and wrong. I don't recall whites saying Leona shouldn't go to jail. When a black like Tyson, Vick, Snipes etc do something wrong, make them pay!

Brenda, Houston,

Why pay tax if its going to fund things you don't believe in? Wars ? The sentence was harsh but i admire Mr Snipes for standing up for whatever he believes in

Ndito, London, UK

Seemingly The Rule of Law in America would have everyone equal before the law save for celebrity, where you shall set a proper example or be made an example of. It appears there exists an interesting doctrine of disproportionality too.

A .V. Cubey, Manchester, England

He was convicted of three mis-demeanors only by a jury. His tax advisor's gave conflicting advise, therefore this sentence is too harsh for mis-demeanors.
Justice was not done and injustice was done to this man.

Faqi, London, UK

Vampires got him in the end then...

Bill Bird, Wallasey, UK

A misdemeanour maybe, but - taking into account the thousands of big-business and arms-dealing fat cats who get off scot-free - it sure sounds like this IS because Snipes is black. Rather than letting Wesley get off too, I'd vote for redistribution of wealth by draconian taxation of ALL the rich !

John Jay, Walton on Thames, UK

I am sure the US Government would have spent that $15 million wisely. For instance, it would have paid for the occupation of Iraq for another 42 minutes.

(Based on this year's budget appropriation of $188 billion).

Frank Upton, Solihull,

If anyone can come up with a better way to finance health care, public services etc. be my guest.

I pay my appx. 36% income tax gladly and use my vote every 4 years.

Erik, Norway,

The 'straight to video' market is in for a lean three years.

Time to resurrect Chuck Norris..

Mike, Brighton, England

"Why do tax forms say they are "voluntary" if they are not?"

Because it IS voluntary to send in the actual forms, but it is NOT voluntary to pay taxes. The taxes are mandatory, the return of the forms are not.

And the amendment WAS properly ratified. Look it up.

Tom, Bismarck, North Dakota

If he had robbed a bank of $12 million, what would the sentence have been?

My guess would be a lot longer than 3yrs, and what he did is no different.

Charles, London, UK

Why do tax forms say they are "voluntary" if they are not? Ever notice how there are articles like this every year around April 15? Helps scare people into paying taxes. Numbers are rising every year of folks who don't file... stop paying your taxes til they run out of $ to fund their stupid war!

Pat, Paris, France

it has nothing to do with being black! and everything to do with breaking the law these people are public figures everyone watches them and i think because they are rich and in the spotlight they should be more careful on how they spend their time and use their power to better this land not cheat it

Pennelope, SALT LAKE CITY, usa

Further to what John said the US Supreme Court has ruled that the 16th amendment gave no new right of taxation. Prior to that the Supreme Court held that income tax on personal labour was unconstitutional. There is simply NO legal requirement under US law to pay income tax on personal labour.

Alan Robert, Melbourne, Australia

In response to Darron Potter, Wesley does have an excuse... there is simply no law that requires him to pay income tax. Why should he pay then?

Alan Robert, Melbourne, Australia

You have dug your own grave Mr Snipes, you should of appointed someone with some credibility to look after your tax, not a bunch of crooks. Goes to show that Hollywood actors are not above the law, and I think thats a good thing

Joe, Birmingham, England

To B J Deller :

And the fact Al Capone was Al Capone had nothing to do with his lengthy condemnation. 3 years seems both harsh and normal finally. Harsh because a repaiement and a big fine could have been enough, normal because you should'nt get as much prison as, say, a rapist.

Thomas, Lille, France

He needs to pay his taxes, plus interest. Instead of going to jail, he could fund something worthy, like accommodation for the homeless.

margie, victoria, australia

Don't forget this:it was a jury of his PEERS that found him guilty. The judge gave the maximum sentence allowed by law. I googled the judge. It seems race isn't a factor, but arrogance and ignorance is. I'm black and NOT rich, but I pay, therefore I've NEVER gone to jail. Wesley has NO excuse.

Darron Potter, Greenville, SC, USA

Alhough I will be considered a silly conspiracy theorist, the leveling of income tax in the US is unconstitutional. The 16th ammendment, which authorised the federal income tax collection was never ratified properly by the states and so that ammendment is not valid. Why would the IRS admit that?

John Morgan, Old Stratford, United Kingdom

It's crazy. Genuine menaces to society like drug dealers, rapists and violent criminals often get less jail time. Some even walk. Tyson, Vick and now Snipes are all being punished for being rich black celebs who stepped out of line.

Cay Ebanks, London , UK

sorry spike , too bad you dont look like paris hilton maybe you would have gotten,maybe 10 minutes..lol,,sorry dude

mark, new york, usa

Yeah, today corporations still picking up no bid defense contracts to build more stuff to blow more people up were noted as owing billions of dollars in taxes.PGE in Oregon(power co. with ties to Enron)pays ,are you ready for this? $10.00 a year in taxes.He should be punished?3 years?Blogga please.

jens Jensen, portland, united States

The crime does not fit the punishment. You get less time for drugs or robbery. Just like Michael Vick the government is trying to take down top black men.

Mike, Miami,

What he did was wrong, and he should certainly pay. But three years in jail! That doesn't do anyone any good. As one commentor stated, do community service, free engagements to get money for worthy causes. But not jail time. It serves no purpose other than taxing the public (no pun intended.

pepper coltrane williams, san diego, United States

Taxman strikes again. The FED that collects income tax and sets the interest rates is based in the City of London, its big bankers not the government. But since the USA isn't a country but a corporation Wesley Snipes will sit in jail 3 years ( even when he paid them the money).

Robert, Jersey City,

He should have got 20 years

Chuck, Springfield, USA

So crime does pay. Only 3 years for $12 million? Al Capone was sentenced to 12 years (from memory).

B J Deller, Marbella, Spain

I do beleive he should be held accountable, But, let's first weigh all the good and righteous things he has done for humanity as a whole, and you will find the scale teeters more to the good he has done. He admitted his mistakes and paid 5 million to the IRS; three years is not justified in my eyes

Maureen Cooper, Maricopa,

I do agree that Wesley Snipes was sentenced because he was Wesley Snipes. Willie Nelson did the very same thing and while they did take a lot of his houses etc... he didnt go to jail so why should Wesley Snipes be any different?

Don, Knoxville , USA

Of course he should be punished, but three years is a bit much, jail time isn't going to be very useful for society. Instead they should sentence him to 500 hours of community service in inner urban areas, in would teach him far more than jail.

Ana , Schenectady, USA

He got what he deserved. These celebs that think they're above the law makes me sick. He comes up some phony excuse that he got bad advice He should have been found guilty of the felony charges against him.

Bob, Milpitas,Ca, USA

sad day for wesley, seems like an alternative punishment could have been given...payment with penalties would seem appropriate

Don, Commerce Township, usa

No one likes paying taxes. For some, it is devestating because they actually don't have the money to pay. Most pay their debt on a payment plan a bit at a time. I have always admired Mr. Snipes as an actor, but he should be ashamed of himself for his behaviour. I believe he should be punished.

Susan, Goshen,