The Proles are Not Allowed to Have Things of Value

It’s the same principle as the You Bought Your House Years Ago and Paid for It In Full but Your Property Value Increased So You’re Now Obligated to Pay Taxes You Can’t Afford Principle:

The 21-year-old New York man said Tuesday he had no choice but to sell the ball — several people told him he would be taxed on the souvenir just for holding on to it.

“It wasn’t hard. It was simple math. I’m upset by the decision I had to make,” Murphy said. “I wanted to keep it. I’m young. I don’t have the bank account. … It would have cost me a lot more to keep it.” [Associated Press: Bonds’ 756th ball going to auction]

UPDATE: Now that I have said that: is it true? Are the “several people [who] told him he would be taxed on the souvenir,” correct? Or is this story malarkey?