Sports Page:
San Francisco 49ers' Success Should Increase Tax Revenue

The success of the San Francisco 49ers football team – not foreseen by most football experts when the season began last year – likely will add significantly to state and local tax coffers.

The 49ers were victorious in a playoff game at Candlestick Park against the New Orleans Saints, and will host Sunday's National Football Conference championship game against the New York Giants. The two games – and accompanying fan interest as the team plays for its first Super Bowl appearance in many years – are generating significant sales of jerseys, programs, hats, beer, hot food and other items subject to sales and excise taxes.

California also will collect more income tax revenue – from resident players who are earning more pay for playoff games and endorsements; from out-of-state athletes who are taxed on income earned within the state of California; and from stadium employees and others who normally would not be working in and around Candlestick in January.

On the spending side of the ledger, the games also require additional police, medical response teams and other government services.

In other tax-related sports news:

State Files Employment Tax Liens Against Detroit Tigers, CBS Sports. The state has filed tax liens against Detroit Tigers Inc., owner of the storied professional baseball team, and New York-based CBS Sports Inc. The liens, both for unpaid employment taxes, are for $35,799 and $26,053, respectively. (Source: Sacramento Business Journal, January 6.)

January 20, 2012

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