IRS Lifts Tax Lien on Terry Rozier
The IRS has officially lifted an $8.2 million tax lien on NBA player Terry Rozier, following recent legal troubles that have garnered significant media attention. The lien, which was recorded in Broward County, Florida, on November 20, emerged just days after Rozier faced severe allegations of conspiracy connected to wire fraud and money laundering within a gambling scandal involving insider information tied to an NBA game.
Tax Liability Confusion
Earlier this month, Rozier’s attorney, Jim Trusty, had indicated to ESPN that the basketball star had a tax liability of merely $9,000 but later revised that figure downward to $3,000, which he claimed was due to an issue with e-filing. This persistent confusion about Rozier’s tax status underscores the complexities surrounding financial filings for public figures.
According to Trusty, the minor tax issue has now been resolved, and he anticipates that the lien will soon be withdrawn once the IRS is notified of the settlement. However, no documentation has been provided to confirm the payment, and requests for additional comments from Trusty have gone unanswered.
Legal Challenges and Timeline
The timeline of events surrounding Rozier’s legal challenges began when news of the lien broke through ESPN’s reporting on October 28, just prior to Rozier’s arrest in connection to claims that he shared confidential game information with associates, allowing them to profit from betting activities.
IRS Procedures and Ongoing Scrutiny
The IRS has a procedural window of 30 days to release a lien once a tax obligation is fulfilled. However, a spokesperson for the agency has refrained from discussing specific cases, citing privacy regulations. It’s noteworthy that e-filing issues generally generate immediate alerts to taxpayers, as outlined by Tom O’Saben, a representative from the National Association of Tax Professionals.
With Rozier’s arraignment scheduled for December 8 in Brooklyn, the ongoing scrutiny into his alleged actions continues amidst a broader landscape of basketball-related betting scandals. Trusty maintains that Rozier is innocent of the charges lodged against him, which have raised significant concerns within the league about integrity and compliance in sports betting practices.
