Taxes

MATT DAMON AND BEN AFFLECK: VIVA LAS VEGAS!

Matt Damon is packing up the wife and kids and moving to Las Vegas and he wants his best buddy Ben Affleck to join him. An insider says that Matt is making the move for various tax reasons -including no state income tax and the the city recently passed a huge movie production tax incentive in hopes of becoming the next Hollywood. Here’s where it gets interesting: Ben’s better half is open to the idea because she’s been offered a residency at one of the casinos. Ben and Jen are discreetly looking at houses in the same posh area where Matt bought a home.

Photo Credit: BACKGRID-USA

GENE SIMMONS LEARNED THE HARD WAY THAT SOMETIMES LESS IS MORE

Last year (long before the pandemic) we told you that disgruntled Trump supporter Gene Simmons put his Beverly Hills mansion on the market for 22 million dollars because he’s moving to Washington to escape California taxes. It seems nobody wanted to buy it until the Altman Bros from Million Dollar Listing got their hands on the listing. They observed that the 16,000 sq ft house was packed to the rafters with KISS paraphernalia and souvenirs – gold and platinum records covered the walls up and down the stairs. The house also had WAY too much ostentatious furniture in every room. The Altmans decluttered the whole place – removed every trace of KISS, and replaced Gene’s decor with sleek minimalist furniture. After the “renovation” they upped the price and put the house on the market for 25 million!

Photo: US magazine

GENE SIMMONS IS TAKING THE FAMILY JEWELS OUT OF STATE

Gene Simmons has put his Beverly Hills mansion on the market for 22 million dollars, and says he’s planning to move to Washington state “because California taxes are too high.” The former Celebrity Apprentice contestant is obviously a closeted fan of President Trump, but realizes it’s not a popular sentiment in the music world. The KISS musician has visited the White House and admits that Trump “says stupid things sometimes, but so do you and I.” He and his wife are moving into a 24 acre estate in Washington.

Above, Gene was promoting his KISS cereal in January

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50 CENT AND DONALD TRUMP HAVE SOMETHING IN COMMON

We’ve never heard of Haute Magazine, but this week they collaborated with Watches of Switzerland at their Soho store to honor (of all people)
“rapper and entrepreneur” 50 Cent. The small exclusive group of guests perused the collection of expensive watches and enjoyed a very fancy dinner. 50 Cent is on the cover of the magazine’s recent issue, and fortunately he was NOT wearing this beige suit (Health measures were observed however.) Right before the event, 50 Cent was on the cover of the NY Post endorsing Donald Trump and declaring “I don’t want to be 20 cent” thanks to Biden’s tax plans. He also hinted that he might have to leave America (like Trump hints) if Biden wins. We’re betting there was some snappy conversation at THAT dinner…

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MOHAMED HADID MAKES IT EASY TO HATE RICH PEOPLE

He seems like a nice enough guy in person, but Bella and Gigi Hadid’s father Mohamed Hadid’s behavior gives wealthy people a BAD name. Real estate developer Hadid built a massive 60,000 sq ft mega-mansion in Bel Air and ignored Los Angeles construction laws to stop building because the precariously balanced house threatened neighbors below. He planned to sell the place for a hundred million dollars, but has been ordered to demolish it. Not only has the supposed multimillionaire tried to declare bankruptcy and failed, but he owes over a million in back taxes and the house is still there – in worse condition than ever. He claims he doesn’t have the 5 million needed to tear it down! The judge declared his conduct as “despicable” and hinted that the endangered neighbors suing him will win their cases (if they’re not crushed in a landslide.)

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KANYE WEST DELIVERS HIS RAP IN GOSPEL FORM

His energy level is over the moon lately as Kanye West continues to crank out operas and conduct massive church services in cities across the country. His bragging about being “the greatest artist that God ever created” does make one wonder about his mental health. Kanye continues to earn shocking amounts of money from his footwear and apparel (more than from his music) – he calls himself a billionaire. He also owns lots of property, so we can’t help wondering if his new friendship with prosperous televangelist Joel Osteen has SOMETHING to do with the fact that churches don’t pay taxes…(and they SHOULD!)

Above, Kanye in silver makeup and clothing at a church related event in Miami

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LEAH REMINI : COULD BECOME A TAXPAYER’S HERO!

We love Leah Remini for creating her anti-Scientology series to expose the so-called “church” for what it really is. She is ending the series with coverage of the Danny Masterson rape accusations and how the church threatened the accusers. We were especially happy when Leah stated that her goal is to have the IRS reconsider the church of Scientology’s exemption from paying taxes – including property taxes – (they own half of Hollywood and much more.) Also whatever church members claim they spend on “training” is apparently not taxable! Leah Remini has an admirable and long overdue goal!

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ATTENTION TOM CRUISE: SCIENTOLOGY IS IN BIG TROUBLE

CruiseMedal

It looks like progress is finally being made toward Scientology losing its tax-exempt status – it’s being TALKED ABOUT! Alex Gibney, the documentary filmmaker responsible for HBO’s “Going Clear,” wrote an excellent editorial in the LA Times today titled “Scientology Should Not Be Tax-Exempt.” And boy, do we agree! He reasons that Scientology should not have their tax status revoked because it is not a “real religion.” It has a strange belief system – but so do other religions (virgin birth?) Gibney points out that to maintain the right to be tax exempt, religions must fulfill certain requirements for charitable organizations. They may not serve the private interests of any individual and activities must not be illegal or violate fundamental public policy. On these points alone, he says, Americans should not subsidize Scientology through tax exemption. Clearly, he has made a logical argument and we predict the downfall of Scientology is imminent. Click HERE to read the entire article.

Footnote: Since DONATIONS to Scientology are tax exempt, we predict all kind of problems for celebrity members if tax status changes.

CROCODILE DUNDEE PAUL HOGAN FINALLY PAID HIS TAXES

Not many people are accused of owing 150 million in taxes so we were somewhat impressed to learn that Crocodile Dundee’s Paul Hogan was a wanted man in Australia. His first Crocodile movie pulled in around 328 million (although who really knows because the figures might have been jiggled a bit.) His two following Croc movies didn’t do as well but they made a nice profit. For the past seven years Paul has been pursued by the Australian income tax people. (He compared them to the Taliban.) He was accused of concealing money in offshore accounts. The issue was recently settled with no details forthcoming. Paul and his wife Linda have been living in Malibu and making even more money by buying and selling properties in the US. According to Richard Mineards at The Montecito Journal, the Hogans just sold a Santa Barbara beachfront property for 12.9 million, so who needs crocodiles…(Above with their son Chance, Linda Kozlowski and Paul Hogan)

PAUL HOGAN SAYS HIS ACCOUNTANT STOLE $35 MILLION DOLLARS THAT HE HAD HIDDEN

We were amused to see that Crocodile Dundee star Paul Hogan got caught hiding 34 million dollars in a Swiss bank account to avoid paying taxes when his financial advisor stole it all! According to The Huffington Post, the Australian actor’s sneaky tax evasion backfired when his co-conspirator accountant absconded with the funds. The accountant’s tax firm is linked to the biggest tax evasion scheme in Australia, and Hogan has been dragged into it. Paul probably isn’t sweating it – last time the tax collector nabbed him (3 years ago) he owed a staggering $150 million in taxes and penalties!