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paying taxes

Q&A: A greedy friend eyes a suitcase of (suspected) drug money

July 1, 2024 By Liz Weston

Dear Liz: A person I know who is in his 80s and very wealthy recently described having a suitcase of old cash. The bills date from the time before the electronic strip was introduced. He said, “I don’t know what to do with this.” Long ago he sold marijuana. I immediately thought that this should pass into the hands of those who are struggling (which includes me). How could this be done legally?

Answer: Your acquaintance should talk to his tax pro. Money is supposed to be declared to the IRS as it’s earned, and that includes proceeds from illegal activities.

There are statutory limits to how long a person can be prosecuted for dealing drugs. There’s no statute of limitations, however, if a taxpayer files a fraudulent return or fails to file a return at all. That’s how the feds ultimately got gangster Al Capone: He was convicted of tax evasion for failing to file tax returns declaring his illegal income.

What your acquaintance should not be doing is talking to anyone else about this cash — particularly someone whose immediate thought is how to get their hands on it. He should consider getting evaluated for cognitive decline, and putting measures in place to protect himself from fraud and elder abuse.

Filed Under: Q&A, Taxes Tagged With: aging, cognitive decline, IRS, paying taxes, Taxes

Friday’s need-to-know money news

March 23, 2018 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: The single parent’s guide to life insurance. Also in the news: How to pay your taxes with a credit card if you must, life insurance and suicide, and how to prepare your kids for “adulting.”

The Single Parent’s Guide to Life Insurance
Protecting your children’s future.

If You Insist on Paying Taxes With a Credit Card, Here’s How
Don’t pay more than you already have to.

Does Life Insurance Cover Suicide?
Practical issues to address.

Here’s how to prepare your kids for ‘adulting’
Having the “money talk.”

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: adulting, credit card, kids and money, life insurance, paying taxes, single parents, suicide, Taxes

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