Why is property tax legal

TMZ.com L.A.'s new "mansion tax" is about to go into effect, forcing sellers to cough up a ton of cash if their property sells for at least $5 million ... and Josh Altman is one of many real estate agents who think it's absurd. Josh joined us Thursday on "TMZ Live," and immediately dumped on measure ULA ... calling it "the dumbest tax ever put through in the history of Los Angeles." Passed on the ballot last November, it slaps a 4 percent tax on homes selling for $5 mil and up, and 5.5 percent on those selling above $10M. Josh points out the ridiculous ways agents would have to work around the taxes if they wanted to, including listing it for cheaper than its actual value ... just to dodge the additional tax. Gallery Launch Gallery The selling point to voters who supported the tax was the funds would go toward battling the homeless crisis in L.A. by developing more affordable housing -- it's projected to bring in $1B annually. Josh tells us … [Read more...] about ‘Million Dollar Listing’ Star Josh Altman Blasts L.A.’s New Mansion Tax

Wesley Snipes never left home without his American Express card -- problem is, he never paid his $30,000 bill before he went to prison ... this according to a new lawsuit. The credit card company filed legal docs in Florida last week, insisting the imprisoned actor racked up a massive credit card bill as a free man, totaling $29,343.03 ... and now AmEx is out for payback, plus interest. But it doesn't end there -- AmEx also wants Snipes to cover their attorney fees for the legal shakedown. As we previously reported, Snipes is currently serving a 3-year sentence for tax evasion -- after allegedly failing to file tax returns for millions of dollars worth of income. He's expected to be released in 2013. Hilarious sidenote: Snipes famously promoted AMEX in a commercial featured in "Major League" -- when his character, Willie Mays Hayes , reminded fans "Don't steal home without it." … [Read more...] about Wesley Snipes Sued — Now AMEX is On My Ass!?!

Prosecutors say Joe Mixon 's sister's boyfriend fired 10-to-11 rounds at a teenager outside of the NFL star's home earlier this month -- striking the boy once in the foot -- and now, the man is facing serious prison time over it all. Hamilton County prosecutor Melissa Powers held a news conference on Thursday afternoon to give an update on the case ... revealing 34-year-old Lamonte Brewer , Shalonda Mixon 's BF, has been hit with four criminal charges, including felony assault, after investigators say he shot at a 16-year-old who was playing with a Nerf gun near Joe Mixon's house in Ohio on March 6 at around 8:30 PM. Powers said surveillance footage, obtained via search warrant on Joe Mixon's home, showed Brewer and Joe Mixon in the Bengals star's backyard as teens were outside of it playing a game called "Nerf wars." She said video showed Brewer at one point open fire on a 16-year-old who was running near the yard with a toy gun ... nearly … [Read more...] about Joe Mixon’s Sister’s Boyfriend Accused Of Shooting NFL Star’s Teen Neighbor, Charged

If producers use artificial intelligence to simulate an actor’s performance, they’re going to have to bargain for it, SAG-AFTRA said Friday in a statement on the use of AI and digital doubling. “The terms and conditions involving rights to digitally simulate a performer to create new performances must be bargained with the union,” the guild said in a statement. “These rights are mandatory subjects of bargaining under the National Labor Relations Act,” the guild says. “Companies are required to bargain with SAG-AFTRA before attempting to acquire these rights in individual performers’ contracts. To attempt to circumvent SAG-AFTRA and deal directly with the performers on these issues is a clear violation of the NLRA.” The WGA has staked out a similar position . It its pattern of demands for its upcoming contract talks, which begin Monday, the writers guild seeks to “regulate use of material produced using artificial intelligence or similar technologies.” “Human … [Read more...] about SAG-AFTRA Says Use Of AI To Simulate Actors’ Performances Must Be Bargained For

EXCLUSIVE: The Black List and Women in Film said Monday that they have set the participants for their 2023 Episodic Lab, with seven television pilots from eight writers selected. Now in its seventh year, the lab focuses on preparing women writers and writers of underrepresented genders for careers in writing for TV. More than 40 scribes have participated since its launch in 2016, with the organizations saying half currently have jobs in the industry. This year’s list features Bev Chukwu, Deanna Esposito, Eudie Pak, Laura Malatos & Helen Sun, Katherine Ruppe, Lorin Williams and Thea Rodgers. The lab, supported by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association and Shivhans Pictures, meets twice a week in March for sessions that include masterclasses, pitch workshops and lectures from guest mentors. This year’s mentors list includes Monica Beletsky ( Parenthood ), Jane Becker ( Ted Lasso ), Glen Mazzara ( The Dark Tower ), Sono Patel ( The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel ) … [Read more...] about The Black List And Women In Film Set 2023 Episodic Lab Writers