Monthly Archives: December 2006

Murphy Undone

Posted on December 26, 2006 by Russ

Thanks to Paul Caron of the TaxProf Blog for letting us know that the D.C. Circuit has vacated the Murphy decision. The Murphy case was the one that said that the 16th Amendment made unconstitutional taxes on the recovery of … Continue reading →

Posted in IRS | Tagged | Comments Off on Murphy Undone

The IRS Shoots Itself in the Feet

Posted on December 26, 2006 by Russ

The Tax Court today once again had to look at the case of Raymond Wright. Back in 2002 Mr. Wright’s case had been reviewed by the Tax Court; the case was then appealed to the Second Circuit and remanded back … Continue reading →

Posted in Tax Court | Comments Off on The IRS Shoots Itself in the Feet

Mandated Health Care in California’s Future?

Posted on December 20, 2006 by Russ

State Senator Don Perata would like all Californians to have health insurance. Having everyone covered isn’t a bad idea. Senator Perata would do this by mandating that all businesses provide health insurance for their employees (with minimum coverage guarantees), or … Continue reading →

Posted in California | Comments Off on Mandated Health Care in California’s Future?

Fraud in the Swamplands

Posted on December 20, 2006 by Russ

If you’re going to submit phony tax returns, it’s a good idea to vary the names you use. Even poorly run tax agencies might catch on if they receive several hundred refund checks from the same address. That bring us … Continue reading →

Posted in New Jersey, Tax Evasion | Comments Off on Fraud in the Swamplands

Definitely Not in Vogue

Posted on December 16, 2006 by Russ

Two months ago I wrote about the owner of Club Vogue (a strip club) in Columbia, Missouri. James Andrew Yaeger, the owner, paid his lap dancers in cash, and didn’t report the income. He got caught, and is looking at … Continue reading →

Posted in Tax Evasion | Tagged | Comments Off on Definitely Not in Vogue

A Bit More Fraud

Posted on December 14, 2006 by Russ

While I was in Palm Springs there was more fraud and evasion. In New York, an operator of a trucking company pleaded guilty to evading federal taxes to the tune of $2.5 million. Anthony Guido, of Pelham, New York, took … Continue reading →

Posted in Tax Evasion | Comments Off on A Bit More Fraud

Off the Deep End

Posted on December 14, 2006 by Russ

Mike Finneran was the head diving coach for North Carolina State University. College athletics pays reasonably well, even for a “minor” sport such as diving; Mr. Finneran made between $60,000 and $180,000 a year. However, that’s not what he allegedly … Continue reading →

Posted in Tax Evasion | Comments Off on Off the Deep End

First Property Tax Payment Due Today

Posted on December 11, 2006 by Russ

Just a reminder that the first installment of property taxes for Californians must be postmarked today. Alternatively, most County Assessor/Treasurer offices will remain open late for you to make payments.

Posted in California, Property Taxes | Comments Off on First Property Tax Payment Due Today

On the Road Again

Posted on December 10, 2006 by Russ

I’m hitting the road again tomorrow, heading to Valencia and then to Palm Springs. Posting will be light to nonexistent until Thursday.

Posted in Taxable Talk | Comments Off on On the Road Again

The New York Times Mentions Taxing Virtual Worlds

Posted on December 10, 2006 by Russ

This morning’s New York Times has a brief piece on taxing income producing transactions of virtual worlds. The Times notes that a precedent does exist for taxing such activities: barter. Indeed, back in the 1970s the IRS implemented regulations on … Continue reading →

Posted in IRS | Tagged | Comments Off on The New York Times Mentions Taxing Virtual Worlds