Phil Laak is a very successful poker player. According to the Hendon Mob database, he’s won more than $3,136,000 in poker tournaments. He’s also a successful cash game player. The web site TMZ has stated that Phil Laak left out paying one interested party: California’s Franchise Tax Board.
Mr. Laak allegedly owes the FTB $24,874 for his 2010 and 2011 California taxes. Mr. Laak was (and I believe still is) a California resident; assuming that’s the case, he would owe California income tax on all of his earnings anywhere in the world. Hopefully Mr. Laak will be able to quickly resolve his California tax troubles.
