Monthly Archives: February 2006

Proposition 82

Posted on February 28, 2006 by Russ

Proposition 82 on the June 6th California Primary Election Ballot is titled, “Preschool Education. Tax On Incomes Over $400,000 for Individuals; $800,000 for Couples….” A better name for this misguided statute is the “Preschool Education Bureaucracy. Driving Jobs from California … Continue reading →

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We’re Number 40!

Posted on February 27, 2006 by Russ

The Tax Foundation today released its business climate survey of the 50 states. For the record, here are the top ten states: Wyoming South Dakota Alaska Florida Nevada New Hampshire Texas Delaware Montana Oregon California ranks 40th, just missing out … Continue reading →

Posted in California | 13 Comments

Go Phish.

Posted on February 27, 2006 by Russ

One of my clients called me this morning and asked about an email he received, purportedly from the IRS. I told him that, in general, the IRS doesn’t send out emails. The email he received told him that he had … Continue reading →

Posted in IRS | 1 Comment

People Who Live In Glass Houses…

Posted on February 25, 2006 by Russ

Do you remember when Intuit and H&R Block sued each other? Well, H&R Block now has some egg on their face. H&R Block admitted that they made some miscalculations on their own tax returns. They were only off by $32 … Continue reading →

Posted in Tax Preparation | 1 Comment

Offshore Trusts Shelters Snare Another Victim

Posted on February 25, 2006 by Russ

I keep saying that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Offshore trusts formed just to shelter income tax sound too good. For Michael Diesel of St. Marys, Kansas, they were. On the advice of Aegis … Continue reading →

Posted in Tax Evasion | 1 Comment

We’ve Heard the Last of Irwin Schiff

Posted on February 25, 2006 by Russ

Irwin Schiff won’t be muttering “There is no income tax” to his gullible victims clients anymore. The 78-year old Schiff was sentenced yesterday to 13 years in prison. He must also make restitution of $4.2 million. Schiff, during his sentencing, … Continue reading →

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Happy Birthday

Posted on February 22, 2006 by Russ

George Washington, the father of our country, was born February 22, 1732 (274 years ago) in Westmoreland County, Virginia. Our first President, Washington didn’t have to deal with an Internal Revenue Bureau (or Service). Unfortunately, our school-age children no longer … Continue reading →

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Must I Go To the Nearest Library?

Posted on February 21, 2006 by Russ

The Tax Court also looked at whether an attorney must go to the closest law library for research. In the case, the petitioner lived fairly close to Southwestern Law School in Los Angeles. However, he preferred the law library at … Continue reading →

Posted in Tax Court | 1 Comment

Changed His Address…

Posted on February 21, 2006 by Russ

What happens when you don’t file your tax return, the IRS sends you notices to two different addresses (but you’ve moved), and then the IRS tries to put a lien on you? Today, the Tax Court ruled on such a … Continue reading →

Posted in IRS, Tax Court | 4 Comments

A $399,878,100 Error

Posted on February 20, 2006 by Russ

Budgeting at the local (municipal, county, and township) level usually begins with the treasurer/tax collector telling the board here’s how much money we’re going to receive this year in property taxes based on the property valuation. The board then comes … Continue reading →

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