Author Archives: Russ

Online Gambling Addresses (Updated for 2014)

Note: This list has been superseded by the 2015 list. You can find it here. With the United States v. Hom decision, we must again file an FBAR for foreign online gambling sites. An FBAR (Form 114) is required if … Continue reading

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We Don’t Need No Stinkin’ Backups

The IRS scandal continues to be the big issue. And lots more news came out over the weekend. First, it turns out the IRS had a contract with an email backup company, Sonasoft; their motto is “Email Archiving Done Right.” … Continue reading

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“I Don’t Think an Apology Is Owed”

Congressman Paul Ryan is annoyed. There is not much to add to what Congressman Ryan said today. For those who didn’t watch today’s hearing, FoxNews has an accurate summary: Koskinen set a defiant tone during his testimony before the House … Continue reading

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Just File the FBAR

Several of our clients have asked, “The decision on poker accounts being ‘banks’ is nonsensical. Do I really have to file an FBAR for those accounts?” I am in general agreement with the individuals questioning the ruling. Banks and financial … Continue reading

Posted in FINCEN, Gambling | Tagged | 5 Comments

As the Emails Churn…

The IRS Scandal continues to get uglier. Joe Kristan called it, “The dog ate my email….” All I know is that I’d end up in a new profession if I tried the excuses the IRS has given. But it got … Continue reading

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Soon: No More Circular 230 Notices

When I attended the annual CSEA SuperSeminar, Karen Hawkins, Director of the Office of Professional Responsibility (of the IRS), told a luncheon crowd that a new version of Circular 230 will be released within two weeks. Well, that didn’t happen. … Continue reading

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The Two Year Gap

Do you remember how the IRS scandal began? It began when Lois Lerner made a speech and noted that the IRS erred and targeted conservative and Tea Party 501(c)(4) applicants. This occurred on a Friday afternoon. Shock of shocks, another … Continue reading

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IRS Adopts “Taxpayer Bill of Rights;” Will Anything Change?

With great fanfare the IRS today announced the adoption of The Taxpayer Bill of Rights. As noted in the IRS announcement, The Taxpayer Bill of Rights takes the multiple existing rights embedded in the tax code and groups them into … Continue reading

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Perhaps This Is Why Lois Lerner Is Taking the Fifth

You remember the IRS scandal? It’s still around, and it appears that the IRS (or highly placed individuals at the IRS) violated the law. From Eliana Johnson comes a report that begins, The Internal Revenue Service may have been caught … Continue reading

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More on the Hom Decision

Jack Townsend of the Federal Tax Crimes Blog has a post on United States v. Hom today. In his post, he notes that Mr. Hom represented himself. Indeed, the court is still looking for a pro bono counsel to represent … Continue reading

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