Lindsey Vonn's Huge Tax Bill Is a Cautionary Tale for All Athletes
Lindsey Vonn is a worldwide celebrity thanks to her performance at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, where she won her first and to date only gold medal. But she finds herself in a big mess as tax day approaches.
According to a report from the Detroit News, Vonn owes the IRS more than $1.7 million in back taxes from the year 2010.
Here is Vonn's statement on the issue, which she wrote in an email to the newspaper:
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
"It is no secret that my last year off the mountain has been filled with many personal challenges. This matter was only recently brought to my attention and I took immediate and deliberate steps to remedy the situation. I have made arrangements to pay in full the balance due.
"
We all know about her divorce, but that is not the issue. These athletes have so many people around them giving them advice on investments and things like that to keep their income flowing. It would not be a shock if they had no idea where their money was going, so long as they had enough to keep their lifestyle going.
Vonn has enough money coming in from sponsors and endorsements to cover the huge lien, but this whole situation has to serve as a reminder to athletes everywhere.
With so many people trying to break into an athlete's entourage, it is important that you surround yourself with a few select people you know you can trust.
Perhaps Vonn's situation is just a case of one number being added where it shouldn't have been, or subtracted. We don't know all that information but it is not completely out of the question.
Considering what Vonn has been dealing with away from skiing this past year, she needs to make sure she has the best and most trustworthy people surrounding her and ready to take care of her.
Vonn got lucky this time around. She is in a situation where she can handle this kind of bill. Next time she might not be so lucky. Any athlete should look at what has happened to her and recognize that it could just as easily happen to them.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
