"Survivor" winners and taxes

My daughter and I enjoy the long-running show "Survivor", which I have watched on and off (but mostly on) since 2001 before she was even born (yikes!). I did NOT see the first season, which had its winner (who I won't name) consumed with tax problems ever since he won the million dollars, The crux of the issue, I believe, is that he claimed ignorance on needing to pay taxes on his winnings. I guess he went crazy and spent it all before his annual tax return was due. The case is apparently still not quite resolved over 25 years later !

I found it interesting that a recent survivor winner publicly commented on the taxes regarding her winnings. The prize for Survivor winners is still a million dollars (I mentally note the decline in the value of the prize due the to time value of money, but never mind). On that million dollars, the recent winner claimed that she paid $380,000 taxes on it, leaving her "only" $620,000. Apparently, this shocked her, but at least she paid it ! She then proceeded to whine about the pain of paying these taxes. I'm personally having trouble feeling sorry for her, as I'd take a net $620,000 gladly. At least she ended up singing the show's praises in the end and expressing gratitude for the experience.

Make sure you get a tax projection from your trusted and talented CPA, especially if you have a change in your routine tax profile, so you are NOT surprised at tax filing time... THE TRIBE HAS SPOKEN !