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Spoilers for The White Lotus Season 3 ahead. The conclusion of the third season of The White Lotus was undeniably tragic, yet it marked a turning point for one character. Spa manager Belinda Lindsey (Natasha Rothwell) left with a staggering $5 million in her account after agreeing to silence Greg Hunt (Jon Gries) in exchange for hush money. However, this transaction has sparked considerable discussion among fans regarding its potential tax consequences, revealing a significant narrative inconsistency.
Bribes And Taxes
After the finale aired, a fan sparked a lively discussion on Reddit, questioning the feasibility of transferring such a large sum without triggering IRS scrutiny. “I’m no tax lawyer, but I know you can’t put 5M in somebody’s bank account without the IRS coming calling. How would she get away with this?” they pondered.
This inquiry struck a chord, with many fans echoing similar sentiments. Various comments suggested that the payment would likely be treated as a taxable gift, with the IRS making the gift giver responsible for the applicable taxes, rather than the recipient. This, of course, led to discussions about the complexities of tax law that many viewers found perplexing.
To clarify, Victoria J. Hanneman, a trusts and estates professor at Creighton University School of Law, weighed in with her expertise. In a series of posts on Threads, she suggested that both Belinda and Greg might frame the payment as a gift to sidestep inquiries, although it would more accurately be classified as “compensation in exchange for services” — Greg’s payout for Belinda’s discretion.
Raising Questions
Reddit users also speculated that Greg might possess the savvy to navigate tax evasion strategies due to his shady undertakings; however, the sheer size of the transaction suggests it would attract the attention of tax authorities. Hanneman noted that such significant gift amounts often raise red flags, especially when the relationship between the donor and recipient is ambiguous. “We are (justifiably) suspicious of extravagant gift giving when it does not involve family or romantic partners,” she explained.
Should tax authorities notice the payment, they might connect the dots between Greg and Belinda, leading to deeper inquiries about their relationship and the circumstances surrounding the payment. While this issue may not directly impact Belinda, the implications for Greg certainly could — not to mention the oversight in the plot.
More To Explore?
Alternatively, this storyline could serve to set the stage for upcoming seasons of The White Lotus. Both Natasha Rothwell and Jon Gries have expressed openness to returning, with Rothwell alluding to potential future developments regarding Belinda’s character. “I think she’s trying to adjust to this upper echelon of society,” she remarked. “You get out of Dodge pretty quick. She’s worried about being pursued by Greg, and so I think she wants to go off-grid perhaps. Maybe she’ll go by her middle name.”
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