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Category: Prince Fielder

Posted by Robert Snell (The Detroit News) on Tue, Jun 17, 2008 at 5:26 PM

IRS slugs Prince Fielder with lien

IRS says Prince Fielder owes $409,149 in federal income taxes: The Milwaukee Brewers first baseman is a former favorite son of Detroit, who grew up roaming a Detroit Tigers clubhouse inhabited by his father, slugger Cecil Fielder, who currently manages the independent league Atlantic City Surf baseball team.

Father and son share good genes, home-run power and, according to public records, financial issues. Four years ago, The Detroit News reported about how Cecil lost $47 million in career earnings through gambling and bad business decisions.

The two reportedly have been estranged since Prince accused his father of keeping $200,000 of the son's $2.4 million signing bonus without permission.

Prince, 24, is making $670,000 this year but the famous vegetarian is primed for a fat contract after the season.

What's owed:

The IRS filed a $409,149 lien against Prince on Oct. 6, 2005, for unpaid income taxes. According to the lien, which you can see here, Prince owes the money from 2003, the year after he signed his first contract and received the $2.4 million signing bonus.

His side: Prince could not be reached for comment. A Brewers spokesman forwarded an inquiry to the office of Prince's agent, Scott Boras, who did not return multiple phone calls seeking comment.

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About this Weblog

Who owes taxes in Metro Detroit

Robert Snell is a Detroit News business reporter. He focuses on state and federal tax liens and, based on public records, interviews and Detroit News archives, identifies those who don't pay income, business and property taxes. He can be reached at rsnell@detnews.com or (313) 222-2028.

Why we focus on unpaid taxes

Every year, about $345 billion in federal taxes are either late or unpaid, according to the IRS, ripping open holes in budgets and shortchanging schools and public safety. That forces taxpayers to cough up more than their fair share, tax experts say. About $2.5 billion went uncollected in Michigan between 2000 and 2006.

Liens are filed when taxpayers ignore government pleas for payment. Tax liens are like tar. They stick to everything - homes, cars and income. According to the IRS, liens give the government a legal claim to a person's or company's property. Liens serve as security or payment for the tax debt and a red flag to creditors.

There are a variety of reasons people don't pay. Some can't afford to and some refuse while others miscalculate or receive bad advice. Unpaid taxes can lead to prison - just ask actor Wesley Snipes.

This blog will focus on state and federal liens and identify those who don't pay income, business and property taxes. We will gather our information from public records, interviews and Detroit News archives.