Bud Abbott : Abbott + Costello vrs The I.R.S.

I read once that Abbott & Costello raised millions of dollars selling war bonds and stamps. From the Abbott & Costello website.
"Bud and Lou's style and brand of comedy helped lift the morale of the American public during World War II. Eager to lend their time to the war effort, the boys funded (out of pocket) a cross-country tour to help raise much-needed funds on behalf of the War Bond Drive. Everywhere they appeared there were sellout audiences. They were honored on the steps of New York's City Hall by Mayor Fiorello La Guardia for raising a record-breaking $89 million in just three days!"
Not to mention the many random acts of kindness Lou Costello performed.
So what did the I.R.S. do when they ran into hard times? From Wikipedia.
"Internal Revenue Service charged them for back taxes, forcing them to sell their homes and most of their assets, including their film rights."
I read this years ago and it still angers me to this day. The I.R.S. should reimburse the families of the two late and generous comedians.
There, I vented. Thank you Bud and Lou!

I would tend to agree with everything you wrote.

I agree for all the laughes they gave us. The IRS needs to give back at least the movie rights to thier family's.

I honestly don't know much about Abbott and Costello111c or about this IRS incident. I just came on here looking for old Christmas classics like March of The Wooden Soldiers and wanted to read up on these guys.

My only thought after reading what you wrote is they must have been avoiding paying taxes for a very long time if they lost everything. I cant imagine how much back taxes must have been owed to literally have to fork over ALL your cash, sell your house, and even give up your movie rights. Seems pretty extreme.

Then again it never seizes to amaze me how greed effects people. I read about a top Walmart exec (Thomas Coughlin) that made millions per year on salary+bonus'+stock options. He still felt the need to steal company money to pay for personal vacations, steal gift cards+merchandise, etc. I mean how can you make millions and go off and steal a pack of gum? It blows my mind.

i was watching a documentary saying they raised (what would amount to nowadays) a billion dollars (i forgot how many millions they earned but it would of been like a billion in todays world)in war bonds and of course how does the government repay them .What a way to say thanks huh?all i can hope is what goes around comes around and those responsible got what they deserved greed gets in the way of proper judgement sometimes and decency

You got that right 747,

Some of those bloodsuckers in the government make Dracula look like a Saint.

I know what you mean Dan how can someone pretty much ruin people who saved them when they needed it mostand sleep at night with a guilt free conscience? its beyond me

I mean look at thisSoon after former partner Lou Costello's death, the Internal Revenue Service demanded Bud pay over $750,000 in back taxes. He was forced to sell his estate in Encino, California (at a loss), as well as his 200-acre ranch. His wife sold her jewelry and furs and they relinquished their remaining share of profits from the old lucrative Universal movies. He said he'd have to start all over and begged for donations from Abbott & Costello fans, with little results.


Begging fans for donations he deserved a little more respect and self dignity than that!

The IRS did the same thing with Ernie Kovacs. His widow, Edie Adams, spent years "working" for the government (she was liable too because they filed joint returns) to pay off her husband's debts.

See: Joe Louis

At least Lou didn't have to step back into the ring to try to earn a living again.

Short Cut, Draw Blood

The IRS hounded Abbott's widow for taxes until her death in 1981.