The taxman cometh for 3 celebs

Looks like 2011 is going to be a “taxing” year for master comic strip creator and film director Carlo J. Caparas, actor Richard Gomez and beauty surgeon to the stars Dr. Joel Mendez.

The BIR is going after Caparas who it claims owes the government close to P550 million in unpaid taxes. He did not attend the first hearing of his case in December, and now the tax agency is pressing its case. Carlo J. is seeking for an extension in submitting his counter-affidavit.

The BIR was on to Carlo J. after news reports exposed the P1.3 billion deal he signed with PCSO to direct a TV series on sweepstakes winners.

The Department of Justice meanwhile wants to firm up the long-standing tax case against Goma before this month ends. Richard is being accused of not paying taxes from 2000 to 2003.

Dr. Mendez has actually been convicted of two cases of tax evasion and faces a jail sentence of up to two years in each case. The Court of Tax Appeals ruled that he didn’t pay dues on his income in 2002 and 2003 which amounted to P3.6 million. The court also fined him a total of P20,000 for the delinquency.

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Speaking of taxes, Ogie Alcasid has added his voice to the clamor for higher tax rates for foreign entertainers doing gigs in the country.

For Ogie, that’s one way of protecting local talent. His concern is valid. A lot of foreign artists are coming over to do shows this Valentine, and they could crowd out the homegrown performers. One of the country’s biggest entertainers, Ogie is also an official of the Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit (OPM), so he is aware of the issues revolving around visiting performers.

Kuh Ledesma recently voiced the same complaint. Kuh is also familiar with the problem of the competition from foreign talent. Having worked in the US , she knows how protective American show producers are of their stars. Foreign entertainers must go through the wringer just to get their show approved.

Ogie and Kuh are on the right track. The next step is up to our authorities.

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Still on Ogie, he and wife Regine are said to be hankering for twins. That’s okay, but shouldn’t they be focusing on having a baby first? I’m not trying to be negative here, but some couples take years before they’re blessed with a child. Those who are not financially well-off go to a hilot to “fix” a problematic uterus or seek divine intervention by dancing in Obando.

The affluent but infertile, on the other hand, fly to Singapore for the more reliable but expensive fix-it, in vitro fertilization.

In vitro is a technique in which the egg cells are taken from the woman’s ovaries and placed in a fluid medium. Sperm is then added to the medium with the hope of fertilizing the eggs.

I know a couple who’ve been childless for years and who have made the rounds of specialists in the country. As a last resort they went to a fertilization clinic in Singapore and voila! they had twins.

Still, in vitro is not always successful. Another couple I know have been trying it for years to no avail.

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Has “American Idol” lost its luster?

Reports say a survey by a Hollywood magazine found that a little under half of the show’s viewers is eager to watch its 10th season which unfolds on January 19.

And get this: 67 percent believe the show is over the peak.

Perhaps that is why the Idol’s producers are bringing Jennifer Lopez and Aerosmith lead singer Steven Tyler as new judges.

They must be hoping that the two would make up for the loss of Simon Cowell, who have provided color and spice the show for the past nine seasons.

Can J. Lo and Steven Tyler bring the sizzle back to American Idol? Tune in next week, folks.