The bastards at the IRS like to use a celebrity now and then to make an example of. Everyone hears about it and that keeps the sheep volunteering to sign a 1040 and pay a tax that the are not legally required to pay.

They take a guy like Snipes and no matter how good his argument may be, all they need is one corrupt judge to give a jury bullshit instructions, and they get a prosecution. And one big-name prosecution will keep many sheep scared enough to not make any waves and just pay into this racket.

I do wonder if he actually signed a 1040 for the year(s) he has been prosecuted for. Once you sign that damn form, you've done testified that you're a U.S. Citizen and that you are liable for the tax. After that signature, the only thing up for debate is HOW MUCH you owe. They gotcha.