Author Archives: Russ

2025 Wage & Income Transcripts Finally (Mostly) Available

Posted on June 30, 2026 by Russ

One of the tools tax professionals (and savvy taxpayers) use are IRS Wage & Income Transcripts.  These show the items that the IRS has on file: things like W-2s, W-2Gs, K-1s, and 1099s.  Normally, these are available around Memorial Day … Continue reading →

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The 43rd Try Was a One-Third Success

Posted on May 20, 2026 by Russ

Yesterday, I noted that I had made 41 tries to reach the IRS’s Practitioner Priority Service and received a “courtesy disconnect” each time.  Try 42 met the same fate, but to my surprise the 43rd try got me into the … Continue reading →

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Don’t Call Us

Posted on May 19, 2026 by Russ

I need to speak to the IRS’s Practitioner Priority Service regarding (as of today) ten client matters.  I have been calling since May 4th–and calling the moment the phone lines open (7am local time).  It’s illegal for me to record … Continue reading →

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Bakumen Aoys!

Posted on April 30, 2026 by Russ

There are no typographical errors in the headline of this post. A couple of recent news stories  out of California bring home that it’s time for anyone residing in the Golden Bronze State to seriously consider moving. First, the “Train … Continue reading →

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Hurry Up and Wait

Posted on April 20, 2026 by Russ

Every year clients ask us this question: I paid my tax via IRS Direct Pay (or you had my account debited).  Why hasn’t my payment come out yet? The answer to this question is simple, and there’s nothing your tax … Continue reading →

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Bozo Tax Tip #1: If It Sounds too Good to be True…

Posted on April 10, 2026 by Russ

…it probably is.  That’s how the cliche goes, and it’s generally accurate.  If someone tells you: If you invest $10,000 in [whatever], you magically get a $50,000 deduction; If you buy $20,000 of Brazilian accounts receivable, you can get a … Continue reading →

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Bozo Tax Tip #2: Use a Bozo Tax Professional

Posted on April 10, 2026 by Russ

The IRS recently highlighted that taxpayers should choose tax professionals wisely; I agree.  I’ve had this as a Bozo Tax Tip in the past, but a new client highlighted this issue for me.  In the previous iteration of this “tip,” … Continue reading →

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Bozo Tax Tip #3: Not Remitting Payroll Taxes

Posted on April 9, 2026 by Russ

A couple of years ago, I received a visit from a member of the IRS’s Criminal Investigation unit.  It turns out a client, call him Larry, had worked for a company that decided to not remit payroll taxes.  The loss … Continue reading →

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Bozo Tax Tip #4: Procrastinate!

Posted on April 8, 2026 by Russ

Today is April 8th. The tax deadline is just seven days away. What happens if you wake up and it’s April 15, 2026, and you can’t file your tax? File an extension. Download Form 4868, make an estimate of what … Continue reading →

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Bozo Tax Tip #5: 300 Million Witnesses Can’t Be Right!

Posted on April 7, 2026 by Russ

For tax bloggers like myself, the saga of Richard Hatch was a godsend. His antics were, well, remarkable.  One tip I can give any celebrity: Be careful about your taxes. The IRS loves going after Bozo tax celebrities. So here’s … Continue reading →

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