According to tax experts, Bill Belichick probably can deduct his $500,000 fine for violating NFL rules on his taxes as a work expense. While some professors questioned whether a fine for "cheating" was an ordinary expense, Mike McIntyre of Wayne State University said that was wrongheaded. "The fine was for violating a rule, not for cheating. The Patriots were not accused of cheating by the commissioner and were not fined for cheating," McIntyre wrote.