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Elvis, still TC of $$$ B

January 8, 2008

Elvis would have been 73 today. Heck, some folks think he’s off somewhere celebrating his birthday right now.

Officially, though, he passed away in August 1977. But that hasn’t stopped his money making machine.

Last October, the King reclaimed the crown as the Top-Earning Dead Celebrity in Forbes‘ annual list. He also was #1 back in 2005.

In earning the top spot again, Forbes reported that Elvis’ estate raked in around $49 million in the previous 12 months. The money still comes in via music royalties, DVDs, licensing deals and tourism at Graceland, the King’s Memphis mansion.

Elvis_tcb_pendant
Takin’ care of business, literally:
Much of Elvis’ postmortem income has come from merchandise, like this TCB pendant.

Legend has it that one night while sitting in his bedroom aboard his personal jet, the "Lisa Marie," Elvis picked up a torn envelope and wrote what has become known as the Taking (or Takin’ if you’re from the South) Care of Business Oath.

TCB soon became synonymous with Elvis and the three initials and lightning bolt logo was fashioned on items Elvis gave to his closest friends.

You can read the TCB Oath and more on its purported genesis at Wizbang, this WFMU radio Web page and at Artfact.

Thank you. Thank you very much.

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TAX-SAVVY WAYS 
TO WRAP UP 2026

It’s over! With October’s extended filing deadline behind us, it is now time to focus on year-end moves to reduce your 2026 tax bill. 

You’ll find ways to do just that on the Tax Tips page (see the More Tax Posts drop-down menu at the top of the blog), as well as the separate tax tip pages for each month, notably October through December. If you’re on the Tax Tips page, you’ll find a monthly list at the end of this column. If you’re on another blog page, you can head straight to the October tips; at the bottom of that tips page you’ll find links to all the other 11 months’ collections of tax advice.

Not to spoil what you’ll find in that tax advice, but it does cover such things as tax deductions for charitable donations, investment moves that could reduce tax due, and ways to max out your tax-favored retirement savings. 

Finally, as the year winds down, things get hectic. There are lots of other things to occupy our time, like the much more fun upcoming holidays. But don’t lose sight of taxes, since timing is key. To be of use, most tax moves must be made by the end of the tax year. That’s Thursday, Dec. 31, which also is the last business day of the year. 

So that you don’t miss that final tax year deadline, also keep an eye on the countdown clock below. It will keep you on top of just how much time is left to make important, tax-saving moves. (Note: I’m in the Central Time Zone, so adjust accordingly for where you live.)

Comments
  • Is there anything you want me to ask Elvis? We’re having dinner tonight at the Burger King.

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