Monthly Archives: November 2012

Another South Carolina Politician Guilty of Tax Charges

Posted on November 26, 2012 by Russ

There must be something in the water in the Palmetto State: Yet another politician in South Carolina forgot about filing his taxes. This time it was a Democrat, State Representative Harold Mitchell (D-Spartanburg) who claimed he just filed late. He … Continue reading →

Posted in South Carolina, Tax Evasion | 1 Comment

Can We Kill the Death Master File?

Posted on November 26, 2012 by Russ

Years ago, having the Social Security Administration publish a “Death Master File” was probably necessary. This may have been the only manner for various government agencies and insurance companies to learn that individuals had passed on. Today, though, the information … Continue reading →

Posted in IRS, Utah | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Shameless Self Promotion

Posted on November 26, 2012 by Russ

When Tax Season is over, tax practitioners tend to go on vacation. That didn’t happen for me this year for a good reason: What’s in Tax Strategies for the Small Business Owner? The book is a practical guide to taxes, … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Taxable Talk | 2 Comments

Sweden Goes After Poker Players…For Real

Posted on November 21, 2012 by Russ

The Swedish tax agency, Skatteverket, sent police into some poker players’ homes across Sweden on Tuesday. Under Swedish law gambling winnings within the European Economic Area are not taxed; however, gambling winnings from outside the European Economic Area are taxable. … Continue reading →

Posted in Gambling, International | Tagged , | Comments Off on Sweden Goes After Poker Players…For Real

IRS Announces 2013 Standard Mileage Rates

Posted on November 21, 2012 by Russ

This morning the IRS announced the 2013 standard mileage rates. The rates are up one cent per mile from 2012 (except for charitable mileage, which is set by a statute). The new mileage rates are: $0.565 per mile for business … Continue reading →

Posted in IRS | Comments Off on IRS Announces 2013 Standard Mileage Rates

Squeezy and Illinois

Posted on November 19, 2012 by Russ

Sometimes you can’t make this stuff up. The video (below) is a real video from Governor Quinn of Illinois: Governor Quinn gives an excellent history of pensions but I notice there’s something missing from the video: solutions. Perhaps it’s because … Continue reading →

Posted in Illinois, Pensions | Comments Off on Squeezy and Illinois

Phoenix Woos California Businesses

Posted on November 18, 2012 by Russ

“For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.” That’s Sir Isaac Newton’s Third Law of Motion, something I learned in physics years ago. It’s also true about what happens when taxes increase. Options that businesses would rather not … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, California | 1 Comment

I’m Glad I Didn’t Say Which Christmas

Posted on November 14, 2012 by Russ

Back at the end of July came news that the US Department of Justice had settled with PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker on civil claims, and that players would be paid back. I wrote, When will players be repaid? If … Continue reading →

Posted in Gambling | Tagged , , | Comments Off on I’m Glad I Didn’t Say Which Christmas

FTB Appeals Gillette Decision

Posted on November 14, 2012 by Russ

As expected, California’s Franchise Tax Board has appealed the Gillette decision to the California Supreme Court. (The FTB’s Tax Practitioner Liaison sent an email notifying tax professionals of the appeal.) The California Supreme Court does not have to take the … Continue reading →

Posted in California | Tagged | 1 Comment

If It’s In Cash It Doesn’t Count, Right?

Posted on November 11, 2012 by Russ

Three owners of a charter bus company in San Jose, California apparently had the idea that if it’s in cash, it’s not income. As readers of this blog know, that’s definitely not the case. This likely won’t turn out well … Continue reading →

Posted in Tax Fraud | Tagged | 1 Comment