“I’m spending a year dead for tax reasons.” – Douglas Adams.
Maybe Derek Jeter should take that advice as the State of New York claims that the New York Yankees shortstop owes them millions in back taxes from 2001, 2002 and 2003. New York State claims the captains primary residence at that time is an apartment he owns in New York City’s Trump World Tower, that was purchased in October 2001.
Casey Close, who is Jeter’s agent, says the all-star shortstop has made his home in Tampa, FL since the 1994. Florida residents do not pay a state income tax.
According to the Associated Press, in part of the states assertion of residency, The New York State Division of Taxation and Finance noted that Jeter has personal items in the apartment that are “near and dear”. New York State has a reputation of being aggressive in these issues.
They base their claim on Jeter spending at least 183 days of the year in the State of New York. Jeter could be responsible for paying taxes on all of his income, including endorsements and appearances that easily double his baseball salary.
Judge Timothy J. Alston, has asked the department for more specifics with respect to its claim that Jeter has “immersed himself in the New York community”. Alston told the department it must provide Jeter with a more detailed document specifying his “community involvement in jurisdictions other than Florida” and “public statements regarding his desire to be in New York,” according to the AP.
According to Jeter’s contract with the Yankees he was paid $38 million over the time period in question with a $16 million signing bonus due before June 2008.
