Author Archives: Russ

Another Example of a Regulated Preparer Committing Tax Crimes

Posted on June 9, 2014 by Russ

Yet another example of a regulated preparer committing tax crimes emerged this past week out of Ohio. Larry Couchot is a CPA in Ohio. He’s president and an owner of an accounting firm. Mr. Couchot also may be heading to … Continue reading →

Posted in Tax Fraud | Tagged , | Comments Off on Another Example of a Regulated Preparer Committing Tax Crimes

It’s Only a 56% Tax Increase…

Posted on June 8, 2014 by Russ

In the, “Tales, I win, heads, you lose” news of the week comes word of a 56% increase in Chicago’s telephone tax. The tax increase might prevent a $50 million property tax increase…but then again it might not. The issues … Continue reading →

Posted in Illinois | Comments Off on It’s Only a 56% Tax Increase…

Back to the Past: Poker Sites and FBARs. Poker Sites Are Again Reportable Foreign Financial Accounts

Posted on June 5, 2014 by Russ

Back in the past, I asked the FBAR group at the IRS whether or not poker sites needed to be reported. In January 2009, they told me they did have to be reported. In prior years, the FBAR group said … Continue reading →

Posted in Gambling, IRS | Tagged | 2 Comments

Next Month Has Arrived (or, Deadlines for Us, But Not for Them, Part 3)

Posted on June 4, 2014 by Russ

I’m a Cubs fan. As such, I’m always waiting for next year. I have a client who has been waiting since October to get his IRS notice issue resolved. I’ve written about it twice before. Back in March, we received … Continue reading →

Posted in IRS | 1 Comment

No, Fido & Lulu Can’t Own Your Business

Posted on June 1, 2014 by Russ

Sometimes you read a story and wonder if it’s really true. Such was the case when I read this DOJ press release on Matthew and Sandra Zuckerman. It starts like many cases: The Zuckermans didn’t like filing and paying taxes, … Continue reading →

Posted in Tax Fraud | 2 Comments

Punt Blocked; National Audit Defense Network Heading to ClubFed

Posted on May 27, 2014 by Russ

Back in 2000, a company made the following boast on the Internet: Oryan Management has developed a simple, “Turn-Key” method for you, the ordinary taxpayer to receive these Tax Credits and Deductions while keeping your costs low. Depending on how … Continue reading →

Posted in Tax Fraud | 1 Comment

The Only Thing Not Thrown at the Petitioner Was the Kitchen Sink

Posted on May 27, 2014 by Russ

There’s a time to be a protester and there’s a time not to be. In Tax Court, it’s imperative you have legitimate arguments; you can pay a very high price for frivolity. Today’s petitioner learned that…perhaps. The petitioner neglected to … Continue reading →

Posted in Tax Court | Comments Off on The Only Thing Not Thrown at the Petitioner Was the Kitchen Sink

Something New From the IRS that We Can All Like!

Posted on May 27, 2014 by Russ

I’ve been bashing the IRS recently, but I’ve had lots of good reasons to do so. The new signature verification policy is somewhere between stupid and useless; the IRS’s response to the current IRS scandal is poor; and customer service … Continue reading →

Posted in IRS | Tagged | 1 Comment

Staking and the 2014 WSOP: Nothing Has Changed

Posted on May 24, 2014 by Russ

The poker world is about to descend on Las Vegas. Over the next several weeks, many players who enter the myriad of poker tournaments from expensive tournaments at the World Series of Poker to more affordable tournaments at Binion’s and … Continue reading →

Posted in Gambling | Tagged | 3 Comments

New Identification Rules Go Over Like a Lead Balloon

Posted on May 21, 2014 by Russ

Joe Kristan had a post this morning noting the reaction of 250 Iowa tax professionals to the new rules on third-party verification rules. The reaction was “You must be kidding me.” The problem was that the IRS wasn’t kidding. Jason … Continue reading →

Posted in IRS | Tagged | 1 Comment