In the spring of 2013, a California couple found eight half-buried jars of gold coins on their own property while walking their dog. The coins, in excellent condition, have a face value of $27,000, but because they are very old and rare the coins may bring $10 million at auction. According to a San Francisco Chronicle columnist, the couple might have tax worries. The complicated tax law, according to the columnist, may require them to pay their 2013 taxes (due April 15, 2014) based on the estimated value of the found fortune. But while the couple has a valuable new asset, they do not yet have cash for the tax man. We don't know how much income the family earns and we can't give tax advice, but the various state and federal tax laws could mean they'll have to pay state and federal taxes equaling just under half of $10 million–if that's what the coins are worth.

 

Photo: Kagin's/Kaginsinc.com