The Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Bobble Supreme Phenomenon
Green Bag, Vol. 9, No. 2, p. 423, 2006
8 Pages Posted: 1 Sep 2006 Last revised: 27 Jun 2013
Date Written: 2006
Abstract
Since 2003, the Green Bag Journal has been commissioning and distributing limited edition bobblehead likenesses of the Justices of the United States Supreme Court. Demand for the bobble Supremes has not been limited to existing recipients, and bobble longing has inspired purchases and even poetry. Given the importance of the bobble Supreme phenomenon to the national economy, the time has come for guidance on the tax consequences of their receipt, ownership, and transfer. Fortunately, draft proposed regulations on the federal income tax treatment of bobble Supremes recently surfaced. Although the regulations have not and never will be officially sanctioned (and, worse yet, are in Q&A format), they provide that they will affect owners and custodians, former owners and custodians, and prospective owners and custodians of bobble Supremes, as well as anyone who does not read them in full and send them to ten friends. Public comments on the proposed regulations are solicited by mail or via a website provided for that purpose; written or electronic comments must be received by April 16, 2007 to be assured of consideration.
Keywords: tax, income, bobblehead, Supreme Court, humor, Green Bag
JEL Classification: K34, H24
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation