Wesley Snipes could take a lesson from Paris Hilton on prison orange fashion - the 45-year-old actor is headed to the slammer for willfully failing to file his taxes. But unlike his fair jailed alum, Snipes won’t be walking out the front gates in a stylish suit anytime soon.

Snipes, best known for playing a half-vampire / half-mortal in the Blade trilogy, was handed a sentence of three years, one for each charge of failing to pay taxes, to be served consecutively. He avoided conviction on the more serious charges of felony conspiracy and tax fraud, but his sentence is seen as a little extreme.

Of his conviction, Snipes said in a 10-minute statement: “I’m very sorry for my mistakes. I acknowledge that I have failed myself and others.” Notably missing from that statement was any reference to the actual crime of tax evasion or failure to pay. Still, according to the New York Times, his lawyers are already preparing an appeal on his case, stating they’re hoping for a complete acquittal.

We have to wonder, what is it about the rich and famous that makes them think they’re above the long arm of tax law? Musician Willie Nelson, baseball player Darryl Strawberry, survivor winner Richard Hatch and even Jennifer Lopez’s leading man, Mark Anthony have all had hang-ups with the IRS.

Not that we dare compare ourselves to the likes of celebrities, but every year we dutifully truck it to the local tax office – or even worse, attempt to do our own taxes to save a few meager bucks – to put ourselves at the whims of the government. We sweat it out waiting to see whether or not we have to empty our pockets, and when we do, we square our shoulders and forgo the Starbucks to pay our debts.

So why can’t a celeb, who makes millions upon millions, do the same? If you have an answer, let us know – otherwise we’ll be scratching our heads all the way to the withdraw button at the ATM.

Along with his prison sentence, Wesley Snipes has been ordered to pay $17 million in back taxes, as well as any accruing penalties and interest. His estimated salary for the Blade trilogy? Probably around $30 million.

Sorry Wesley, while we don’t quite get the logic that puts you behind bars for longer than, say, drunk drivers Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie and Mel Gibson, we’re not exactly crying into our home-brewed, not-a-Venti-nonfat-caramel-macchiato over you getting dinged for tax evasion.