Oh Rob, I normally agree whole heartedly with you on allmost all topics but this one I gotta go the other way.  While I relize taxes can be confusing, especially at that level, one would think that one would make sure the t's were crossed and the i's dotted.  I have no sympathy for them whatsoever.  I even knew that you need to claim the car stuff and I am a peeon in the greater scheme of things.  They think they can get away with it and had it not been for the nominations they would have.  But, when Wesly Snipes didn't pay it was splashed all across the media and threats of arrest if he came back to the US.  (Now, granted he did owe and should pay too (or has paid) but my point is the "special" treatment given to some that, oh, how do we say,....well you get the idea).

Look at Helio Castroneves (sp??) - he's getting screwed too because he relied on others.  He's from a different country so I can give him a break on the not knowing the rules.  Per his attorney as seen in the ESPN article "Helio relied on the advice of competent professionals, accountants and tax lawyers, in preparing his returns. He followed their advice in good faith," Seiden said. "We believe that once the facts are presented to a jury he will be exonerated." 

Bottom line, wheter you prepare your own or have someone else do it you are ultimately responsible for it.  These people only paid because they got caught and thought "Oh Sh*t I better hurry up and pay..." and here again the public is buying in the excuses.  I am glad they paid up as they should.  I do believe their should be some sort of reprocusions.

As my Criminal Law Prof told us - "Ignorance is not a defense"....just because you didn't know about the law doesn't mean you can go around breaking it.  It is up to you to familiarize yourselves with the laws of the Country and or State.  It is not up the to Country or State to make sure you know all the laws.

I feel the same about taxes - Rules are Rules.  If I am responsible for them you can bet I should know what I am doing.  I don't but that is a different story.....