Manny Pacquiao Battling Tax Evasion Accusations

Manny Pacquiao performed well in his recent fight against Brandon Rios, but unfortunately for Pacquiao, it appears he will be heading into another bout almost immediately – a bout with the Internal Revenue Service. The IRS claims the boxer has failed to paid taxes from 2008-2009 with back taxes amounting to $50 million.

Pacquiao, however, claims that he paid taxes in the United States following his victories and that a treaty prevents double taxation. A criminal case against him for his 2010 alleged unpaid taxes has recently been dropped, but tax claims for 2008-2009 are still pending.

“I appeal to them to remove the garnishment so that I can move and pay for my staff’s salaries,” Pacquiao told reporters in his southern hometown of General Santos city. “I am not a criminal or a thief.”

“The money that was garnished by (the Internal Revenue Service) is not stolen,” he said. “This came from all of the punches, beatings, blood and sweat that I endured in the ring.”

Revenue Commissioner Kim Henares claims that the only proof Pacquiao has given was a letter from promoter Top Rank and HBO of the taxes the boxer, supposedly, paid to the United States, but nothing from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.

Pacquiao has his hands full as he is currently borrowing money to aid 10,000 families in the Philippines for typhoon relief.