Monthly Archives: December 2008

Two Entrants for Tax Offender of the Year

Posted on December 22, 2008 by Russ

Joe Kristan has two stories today which show Bozo-sized stupidity. That’s definitely a prerequisite to being proclaimed the Tax Offender of the Year. First, from Tampa, Florida comes the case of Randy Nowak. Mr. Nowak was going through an IRS … Continue reading →

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Nominations for Tax Offender of the Year

Posted on December 22, 2008 by Russ

Yesterday was the first day of winter. For those of you suffering in the cold, I should point out that it is a little cold this morning in Orange County. As I write this it’s 53 F, with light rain. … Continue reading →

Posted in Tax Evasion, Taxable Talk | Tagged | 1 Comment

Pre-Holiday Fraud

Posted on December 21, 2008 by Russ

Lots of new tax evasion reported this week. I’m going to focus on a psychologist, contractors, a restaurant owner, a skydiver, and instant cameras. A psychologist finds herself in trouble rather than her patients. Dr. Linda Luther-Starbird is a psychologist … Continue reading →

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Man Who “Confused” a Lincoln Town Car With Sewing Machine Sentenced

Posted on December 21, 2008 by Russ

Earlier this year I wrote how it would be difficult to confuse a Lincoln Town Car with a Singer Sewing Machine. Yet Charles Edkins managed to do it. Of course, he was committing tax evasion by deducting personal expenses as … Continue reading →

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Two Fewer Bozo Tax Preparer Schemes

Posted on December 21, 2008 by Russ

A few fewer Bozo tax preparers are on the loose. From Greenville, South Carolina comes the first story. Appropriately named Brian Bobo and his wife Latoya thought they had a foolproof scheme. Latoya would take identification information from her job … Continue reading →

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Blagojevich Crony Pleads Guilty to Tax Fraud

Posted on December 21, 2008 by Russ

Speaking of governors having troubles there’s Governor Blagojevich of Illinois. Christopher Kelly was a fundraiser for Governor Blagojevich until he was indicted on 12 counts of tax fraud. Last week Mr. Kelly changed his plea to guilty from not guilty. … Continue reading →

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Budget Vetoed; What’s Next?

Posted on December 21, 2008 by Russ

Governor Schwarzenegger vetoed the Democrats’ end-run budget on Friday, and the veto stands no chance of being overridden (it would take a 2/3 vote, and it’s certain that no Republicans would vote for it). So what’s next? First, Governor Schwarzenegger … Continue reading →

Posted in California | 1 Comment

Constitution? We Don’t Need No Stinkin’ Constitution

Posted on December 18, 2008 by Russ

Democrats in the California legislature announced that they would vote this morning on a budget plan that would balance the budget by hiking taxes but doesn’t need a ⅔ vote to pass. (The state constitution requires a ⅔ vote for … Continue reading →

Posted in California | 1 Comment

New York Governor Looks to Increase 88 Taxes and User Fees

Posted on December 16, 2008 by Russ

New York already already has the second worst tax climate in the country according to the Tax Foundation. Governor David Paterson today announced a budget that seeks to add or increase 88 taxes and user fees. User fees are just … Continue reading →

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The CPA Added Phony Deductions. Who Owes the Tax?

Posted on December 16, 2008 by Russ

The Tax Court looked today at the case of an unlucky taxpayer who used a Bozo CPA. The Bozo CPA added phony deductions (completely unbeknownst to the taxpayer). The IRS found out and assessed the tax rightly owed and penalties. … Continue reading →

Posted in Tax Court, Tax Preparation | Tagged | 1 Comment