Could U.S. Athletes Face a 100% Tax Bracket? Inside the Proposed OLYMPICS Act

Imagine training your entire life, winning a gold medal, and then having the federal government demand every single dollar you earned from the victory. For some American athletes, this scenario is currently being debated in Congress.

A new federal proposal introduced ahead of the 2026 Winter Games could impose a staggering 100% excise tax on specific income earned by U.S. citizens and permanent residents who choose to compete on behalf of certain foreign nations.

Understanding the OLYMPICS Act

The legislation—officially the Officially Limiting Yearly Money Procured by Individuals Concerning Sportmanship (OLYMPICS) Act—would effectively wipe out financial gains for athletes representing specific countries. The 100% tax applies to international event compensation, prize money, and representation-tied sponsorships.

Stressed out taxpayer

Currently, the proposal targets those competing for China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea, though the language could expand. This applies to major global stages like the Olympics or the World Cup.

Why Congress is Targeting Global Athletes

This proposal did not materialize from thin air. It responds directly to high-profile dual-national athletes like U.S.-born snowboarder Eileen Gu, who competed for China. Gu’s financial success highlights the immense wealth at stake.

Changing national representation is quite common. Athletes swap flags for family heritage, access to funding, or a better shot at qualifying. Golfer Rory McIlroy represents Ireland, while NBA stars like Joel Embiid and Luka Dončić navigate dual affiliations. Track star Bernard Lagat famously ran for both Kenya and the United States.

Get Free Book
Stand Strong Against the IRS with my roadmap to success.
Click Here

The Heavy Reality of Worldwide Income

At Dixson Tax Resolution Services LLC, we frequently help clients across our active markets in Orlando, FL, San Diego, CA, and Dallas, TX handle severe IRS disputes related to foreign assets. The U.S. taxes its citizens on worldwide income. This means an American competing—or simply working—abroad already faces complicated tax obligations.

As one analysis indicates, dual-national professionals can be subject to concurrent tax liabilities in multiple countries, often leading to brutal double-taxation issues without proper treaties.

Navigation map for tax strategy

Using the Tax Code to Influence Behavior

The OLYMPICS Act illustrates a broader IRS enforcement trend: utilizing tax policy as a regulatory tool. Just as local governments levy "sin taxes" to curb tobacco use, this legislation attempts to penalize specific geopolitical decisions.

Enforcing a 100% tax on complex international financial structures would be incredibly messy. Tracking foreign endorsements and dealing with dual citizenship loopholes are administrative nightmares.

Protecting Your Financial Stability

Most taxpayers will never face a 100% sports excise tax. However, the core lesson remains critical: cross-border income is rarely simple, and international work can trigger massive tax exposure. Whether you are dealing with unfiled returns from overseas income, navigating tax liens, or fighting an active IRS wage garnishment, having expert guidance is essential.

Led by Felecia G. Dixson, EA, CTRC, ATA, our Rolla, Missouri-based firm provides relentless advocacy for taxpayers nationwide. If you are overwhelmed by IRS pressure, contact Dixson Tax Resolution Services LLC today to restore your financial stability and execute a clear, strategic path forward.

Get Free Book
Stand Strong Against the IRS with my roadmap to success.
Click Here
Share this article...

Sign up for our newsletter.

Each month, we will send you a roundup of our latest blog content covering the tax and accounting tips & insights you need to know.

I confirm this is a service inquiry and not an advertising message or solicitation. By clicking “Submit”, I acknowledge and agree to the creation of an account and to the and .

We care about the protection of your data.

General Questions PracticeBot to answer general FAQ's
We would love to make sure we can answer any commonly asked questions or direct you to the right place
Please fill out the form and our team will get back to you shortly The form was sent successfully