AFSCME 3357-HOF'S BLOG

Steve Martin's Tax Advice to Tim Geitner

Today's headline: Obama's Treasury Nominee Apologizes for Tax Mistakes. Gee, I wonder where Tim Geitner could have come up with this strategy. Perhaps he watched Saturday Night Live in January 21, 1978, and received these excellent tips on tax savings from Steve Martin.

YOU can be a MILLIONAIRE and never pay taxes! You can be a millionaire.. and never pay taxes!
You say.. "Steve.. how can I be a millionaire.. and never pay taxes?"
First.. get a million dollars.
Now.. you say, "Steve.. what do I say to the tax man when he comes to my door and says, 'You.. have never paid taxes'?"
Two simple words. Two simple words in the English language: "I forgot!" How many times do we let ourselves get into terrible situations because we don't say "I forgot"? Let's say you're on trial for armed robbery. You say to the judge, "I forgot armed robbery was illegal." Let's suppose he says back to you, "You have committed a foul crime. you have stolen hundreds and thousands of dollars from people at random, and you say, 'I forgot'?"

Two simple words: Excuuuuuse me!!"

Source: Snl transcripts