Re: UPDATE: cache of gold coins with an Explorer & GPX4000
SWR said:
Dave45 said:
If you had found this in the US they would have taken it from you.
I wonder how many finds of this nature have been found and sold on the black market because of our screwy laws.
By the government FOR the government
Sorry, but you are sadly mistaken.
If the coins were found by legal means (contract, permission, not trespassing, etc) the Government would have no interest.
If you do the right thing, and pay the proper taxes (sales, income, etc) the IRS has no interest.
Hey SWR,
You know you're wrong about that. Without a law like England has, pretty much every state in the Union considers ANY item of 100 years or older to be of significant historical value. Even if found on private property, with the owner's permission. If you found something like that, Uncle Sam would swoop in and snatch it up, claiming it for the public good. I guarantee it!
Now, if you did the right thing, and filed all the proper paperwork, and got a treasure trove permit, before digging them up, the BEST you could hope for, would be to have Uncle Sam take the first 50% right off the top. You would have to pay for any expenses, legal fees, and whatever out of your half. Then, you would be required to pay taxes on your half (typically about 38% Fed and 10% State...I live in California). So now let's do the math........
49 coins value $1500 each= $73,500
After Uncle same Takes 50%= $36,750
After Taxes (about 48%)= $19,110
Figure $5000-$7500 for a GOOD attorney to negotiate your deal with the government= $11,160
After expenses (let's just asy $1000......conservatively), leaves you with a grand total of just over $10,000 for all your trouble.
Same situation in England:
49 coins value $1500 each= $73,500
Taken in trust by the Government until everything is finalized.
Independent board agrees with value of coins.
(easy scenario) Museum buys your coins for $1500 each. You get $73,500
Taxes in England are worse than in the US (maybe 60%) leaves you= $29,400
Best,
Mike