Author Archives: Russ

It’s One Minute Before Midnight…

Posted on October 13, 2013 by Russ

…for most of us who file tax returns. The deadline is Tuesday, October 15th at midnight for those on extension. That’s it–there’s no tomorrow (well, there is…but not for filing) with three exceptions (noted below). So what should you do? … Continue reading →

Posted in IRS | 1 Comment

The 2014 State Business Tax Climate Index: Bring Me the Usual Suspects

Posted on October 9, 2013 by Russ

The Tax Foundation released its 2014 State Business Tax Climate Index. In what will shock few readers of this blog, the usual suspects remain at both the top and bottom of the list. First, let’s look at the top states–the … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Legislation, Nevada | Tagged | 1 Comment

Yet Another Reminder that a License Doesn’t Always Mean Ethical Behavior

Posted on October 6, 2013 by Russ

While we wait for the Loving appeal decision to come out, yet another reminder that not all licensed tax professionals are ethical. Here, we just have allegations of fraud, so it is definitely possible that the alleged villain of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Oregon, Tax Fraud | 1 Comment

Sometimes, Pigs Do Fly (California Repeals FTB’s QSB Tax Grab)

Posted on October 6, 2013 by Russ

I look out the window of my office, and I saw the pig that flies: [The Flying Pig is via a Creative Commons license, from Wikipedia. And, no, I didn’t see one flying by my office in Las Vegas.] California … Continue reading →

Posted in California | Tagged , | Comments Off on Sometimes, Pigs Do Fly (California Repeals FTB’s QSB Tax Grab)

Some Things Still Work; Others Don’t (IRS Shutdown)

Posted on October 3, 2013 by Russ

With the IRS being basically closed, some services are still available. Tonight I was able to log into e-services and print a transcript for a client–a client I already had a Power of Attorney for. Yesterday, a new client came … Continue reading →

Posted in IRS | Tagged | 1 Comment

The FBAR Has Changed

Posted on October 3, 2013 by Russ

Tax professionals can now file FBARs (Form TD F 90-22.1) for clients. We have to have our client sign Form 114a authorizing the preparer to efile the FBAR. Today, when I went to file an FBAR for a client, I … Continue reading →

Posted in International | Tagged , , | Comments Off on The FBAR Has Changed

The Government Shutdown and Taxes

Posted on October 1, 2013 by Russ

Apparently the Republicans and Democrats couldn’t get their heads together yesterday, and the government has partially shut down. What does that mean for taxes? Your tax returns on extension are still due on October 15th. That deadline is statutory, so … Continue reading →

Posted in IRS | Tagged | 1 Comment

Attorney Found Guilty of 28 Tax Charges, but Does Get Nomination for Tax Offender of the Year

Posted on September 29, 2013 by Russ

Donald Wanland, Jr. is described as a “financially successful” attorney. A resident of El Dorado Hills, California (a Sacramento suburb), Mr. Wanland practices in real estate, business litigation, and construction litigation. Perhaps I should change that to practiced because a … Continue reading →

Posted in Tax Evasion | Tagged | 1 Comment

It’s Only $67 Million that We Can’t Find…

Posted on September 29, 2013 by Russ

Have you ever lost something? Of course you have–we all have had experiences where we can’t find that paper we need. Of course, just after we get the second copy of the paper we find the original (Murphy’s Law at … Continue reading →

Posted in IRS | Tagged | Comments Off on It’s Only $67 Million that We Can’t Find…

Thigh Injury the Least of Messi’s Problems

Posted on September 29, 2013 by Russ

Football Soccer star Lionel Messi injured his thigh in yesterday’s game against Almeria (a game his team won, 2-0). Messi will miss two to three weeks with the injury. Meanwhile, Lionel Messi and his father are accused of something more … Continue reading →

Posted in International, Tax Evasion | Tagged | Comments Off on Thigh Injury the Least of Messi’s Problems