參加倫敦奧運會的美國選手獲得獎牌后盡享風光的同時，美國國稅局已經盯上他們了。獲得獎牌的選手所交稅額是綜合獎牌本身市值和獲得的獎金總數后計算得出的，稅率為35%。獲得金、銀、銅牌的美國選手獲得的獎金分別為2.5萬、1.5萬和1萬美元，而金、銀、銅牌的市值為675、385和5美元，由此他們要交的稅分別為8986、5385和3500美元。佛羅里達州一位參議員聽聞這一報道后專門上交提案，建議對這些得獎運動員免于征稅。他表示，美國的稅法很復雜，而且經常被用來當作懲罰成功人士的工具。

Michael Phelps shows off his 15th gold medal and 19th in total after winning the 4x200m freestyle relay

When Olympic medalists return to the United States, they're in high demand. Everyone, from Michael Phelps to a bronze medalist in judo will be sitting for television interviews, talking to newspapers, going to assemblies at local schools and celebrating with friends, family and young athletes. They'll also draw some unwanted interest from everyone's favorite bureaucrats: the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

American medalists face a top income tax rate of 35 percent. Under U.S. tax law, they must add the value of their Olympic medals and prizes to their taxable income. It is therefore easy to calculate the tax bite on Olympic glory.

At today’s commodity prices, the value of a gold medal is about $675. A silver medal is worth about $385 while a bronze medal is worth under $5.

There are also prizes that accompany each medal: $25,000 for gold, $15,000 for silver, and $10,000 for bronze.

The Weekly Standard, a conservative news magazine, ran the numbers and tabulated that the tax bill on a gold is $8,986, silver is $5,385 and bronze is $3,500.

They note that Missy Franklin, an amateur who has yet to cash in on her fame with endorsements, already owes $14,000 in taxes from her gold and silver medal. By the time the Games are finished, Franklin's tax bill could reach $30,000.

Florida senator Marco Rubio reacted to the story on Wednesday, proposing a bill that would leave athletes exempt from the federal tax. "Our tax code is a complicated and burdensome mess that too often punishes success, and the tax imposed on Olympic medal winners is a classic example of this madness," he told reporters.

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(Agencies)

（中國日報網英語點津 Helen 編輯）