# Gee Richard, I guess no one at the IRS saw you win that million dollars on Survivor **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 19, 2005, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gee-richard-i-guess-no-one-at-the-irs-saw-you-win-that-million-dollars-on-survivor/285464 "2005-01-19T00:32:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2005, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gee-richard-i-guess-no-one-at-the-irs-saw-you-win-that-million-dollars-on-survivor/285464/21 "2005-01-19T15:34:25Z")
> [@lno](#): > > So are you sure or not sure? I’m not sure. However, it would make sense if they did. Robin ---
**Author:** ![MsRobyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@MsRobyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsRobyn)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2005, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gee-richard-i-guess-no-one-at-the-irs-saw-you-win-that-million-dollars-on-survivor/285464/22 "2005-01-19T15:45:50Z")
According to the IRS, there is a special form issued, form W-2G, for gambling winnings. This includes lotteries, game show winnings, actual gambling winnings, and that sort of thing. The rep I spoke to said they do watch out to make sure these earnings are reported. The form is issued by the producers of the show, just as an employer would issue a W-2 to you or me. The IRS takes an intense interest in making sure they get what’s theirs. Render unto Caesar and all that. Robin ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2005, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gee-richard-i-guess-no-one-at-the-irs-saw-you-win-that-million-dollars-on-survivor/285464/23 "2005-01-19T15:48:15Z")
Are you **Airman Doors** or **Robyn** because, frankly, I’m not sure either? This will escalate Richard Hatch’s story to Movie of the Week status and my fear is that John Cleese will agree to star. ---
**Author:** ![MsRobyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@MsRobyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsRobyn)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2005, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gee-richard-i-guess-no-one-at-the-irs-saw-you-win-that-million-dollars-on-survivor/285464/24 "2005-01-19T15:56:32Z")
> [@lieu](#): > > Are you **Airman Doors** or **Robyn** because, frankly, I’m not sure either? > > This will escalate Richard Hatch’s story to Movie of the Week status and my fear is that John Cleese will agree to star. ::looks down:: Nope, I’m Robin. Airman was using the computer before me and forgot to sign out. Robin ---
**Author:** ![Encinitas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@Encinitas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Encinitas)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2005, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gee-richard-i-guess-no-one-at-the-irs-saw-you-win-that-million-dollars-on-survivor/285464/25 "2005-01-19T16:26:30Z")
Maybe Hatch thought he had an Immunity Challenge[sup]TM[/sup] and that the IRS couldn’t touch (ewwww) him? ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2005, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gee-richard-i-guess-no-one-at-the-irs-saw-you-win-that-million-dollars-on-survivor/285464/26 "2005-01-19T17:07:33Z")
This would have been swept under the rug but that during his audit Hatch made a tactical error by stripping naked and rubbing up against the IRS agent. I’m told things went downhill from there. ---
**Author:** ![Spiff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiff/32/9852_2.png) [@Spiff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiff)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2005, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gee-richard-i-guess-no-one-at-the-irs-saw-you-win-that-million-dollars-on-survivor/285464/27 "2005-01-19T18:40:33Z")
> [@This Year's Model](#): > > With a decent lawyer, his choice of prison was included in the plea bargain. The Smoking Gun has posted the plea bargain in its Web site, and by my reading of it (IANAL), [his choice of prison was \*\*not \*\* included in the deal](http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/0119052hatch1.html). ---
**Author:** ![The\_Mermaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a183cd/32.png) [@The\_Mermaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Mermaid)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2005, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gee-richard-i-guess-no-one-at-the-irs-saw-you-win-that-million-dollars-on-survivor/285464/28 "2005-01-19T22:14:46Z")
Jeez what a dumbass. It’s not like winning a jackpot at the Moose Lodge where they give your winnings to you in a brown paper bag. I’m sure at least a couple IRS agents actually watched the show. Plus [He even posed with the check](http://images.google.com/images?q=tbn:BY7Wl4ALf9kJ:mas.scripps.com/DRMN/2004/08/22/430967957_d.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2005, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gee-richard-i-guess-no-one-at-the-irs-saw-you-win-that-million-dollars-on-survivor/285464/29 "2005-01-19T22:27:20Z")
So now the sharks will eat the snake that ate the rat. ---
**Author:** ![Laughing\_Lagomorph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/6bbea6/32.png) [@Laughing\_Lagomorph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laughing_Lagomorph)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2005, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gee-richard-i-guess-no-one-at-the-irs-saw-you-win-that-million-dollars-on-survivor/285464/30 "2005-01-19T22:55:25Z")
I caught him a few times on the Boston radio show they are talking about. I can’t believe they paid him that much money for that gig…the guy bought nothing to the table as a radio personality. He was only occasionally witty and really had nothing to talk about except re-hashed _Survivor_ stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2005, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gee-richard-i-guess-no-one-at-the-irs-saw-you-win-that-million-dollars-on-survivor/285464/31 "2005-01-19T23:15:28Z")
> [@MsRobyn](#): > > I don’t know for sure that this is true, but I’m sure the IRS takes special interest in high-profile winners of large prizes like game show and lottery winnings to make sure all taxes are paid. > Robin As to lottery winnings, aren’t taxes taken from the winnings as they are paid out? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Devil\_s\_Grandmother](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/74df32/32.png) [@The\_Devil\_s\_Grandmother](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Devil_s_Grandmother)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2005, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gee-richard-i-guess-no-one-at-the-irs-saw-you-win-that-million-dollars-on-survivor/285464/32 "2005-01-19T23:22:42Z")
> [@spooje](#): > > As to lottery winnings, aren’t taxes taken from the winnings as they are paid out? As most lotteries are run by states, they prbabaly take out state taxes. I don;t know if they take federal. I have a ticket for the CA lotto tonight. I’ll let you know if I win. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![The\_Devil\_s\_Grandmother](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/74df32/32.png) [@The\_Devil\_s\_Grandmother](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Devil_s_Grandmother)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2005, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gee-richard-i-guess-no-one-at-the-irs-saw-you-win-that-million-dollars-on-survivor/285464/33 "2005-01-19T23:24:23Z")
And if I win I will promptly enroll in typing school. :o ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2005, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gee-richard-i-guess-no-one-at-the-irs-saw-you-win-that-million-dollars-on-survivor/285464/34 "2005-01-19T23:27:31Z")
> [@The Devil's Grandmother](#): > > As most lotteries are run by states, they prbabaly take out state taxes. I don;t know if they take federal. I have a ticket for the CA lotto tonight. I’ll let you know if I win. 😃 You’ll have to wait for another draw. I’ve got the winning numbers for tonight. ---
**Author:** ![Gfab912](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a9a28c/32.png) [@Gfab912](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gfab912)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2005, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gee-richard-i-guess-no-one-at-the-irs-saw-you-win-that-million-dollars-on-survivor/285464/35 "2005-01-20T01:30:50Z")
Apparently, this asshole never heard the adage about the two things you can’t avoid in life… DEATH and TAXES! Peace. ---
**Author:** ![MsRobyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@MsRobyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsRobyn)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2005, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gee-richard-i-guess-no-one-at-the-irs-saw-you-win-that-million-dollars-on-survivor/285464/36 "2005-01-20T01:37:22Z")
> [@spooje](#): > > As to lottery winnings, aren’t taxes taken from the winnings as they are paid out? Never having won the lottery, I can’t answer that. The nice IRS lady just told me that the winnings are reported on form W-2G. Robin ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2005, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gee-richard-i-guess-no-one-at-the-irs-saw-you-win-that-million-dollars-on-survivor/285464/37 "2005-01-20T21:35:45Z")
> [@Neurotik](#): > > If I never hear **duffer** talk about his warm cockles again, it’ll be too soon. > > Pervert. You might have to retract that slander. What do you think cockles of the heart are? Why is he a pervert? ---
**Author:** ![Greenback](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/2bfe46/32.png) [@Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greenback)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2005, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gee-richard-i-guess-no-one-at-the-irs-saw-you-win-that-million-dollars-on-survivor/285464/38 "2005-01-20T21:51:47Z")
What island were they on? If there were no extradition treaties, he could have stayed on the island with his money. ---
**Author:** ![Greenback](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/2bfe46/32.png) [@Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greenback)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2005, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gee-richard-i-guess-no-one-at-the-irs-saw-you-win-that-million-dollars-on-survivor/285464/39 "2005-01-20T21:53:29Z")
That was supposed to be “…couldn’t he have stayed on the island with his money?” ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2005, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gee-richard-i-guess-no-one-at-the-irs-saw-you-win-that-million-dollars-on-survivor/285464/40 "2005-01-21T00:49:14Z")
> [@This Year's Model](#): > > How fucking stupid! It doesn’t say much for the IRS either - it took four years to catch him? The IRS is s-l-o-w. I filed electronically in March. Got my tax refund in April. Got a letter in November saying that I ought to have signed some sort of declaration form that they, as well as their prefered e-file company, forgot to mention; no big deal, just sign the form and send it back. (you’d of thought they’d want that before they sent out the refunds, though) That’s eight months to get around to realizing they ought to collect a single piece of paper from me, and probably everyone else who used that site to file. Given this it doesn’t surprise me at all that something as complex as evasion takes so long to deal with. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gee-richard-i-guess-no-one-at-the-irs-saw-you-win-that-million-dollars-on-survivor/285464.md?page=1)