Author Archives: Russ

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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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No Loving for Dead Horses in DC Court of Appeals

Posted on September 25, 2013 by Russ

While I was enjoying Texas, the DC Circuit Court of Appeals heard the IRS’s appeal of Loving v. IRS. This is the case that stopped the IRS from regulating tax preparers. The IRS argued that the circuit court got the … Continue reading →

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A Tale of Two Audits

Posted on September 25, 2013 by Russ

Yesterday and today I represented two taxpayers in examinations (audits). I took a day trip to Texas yesterday, and today spent some time in downtown Las Vegas. One thing is certain: The IRS has far nicer quarters here in Las … Continue reading →

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The Affordable Care Act and Gamblers: A Bad Bet

Posted on September 21, 2013 by Russ

The Affordable Care Act (aka ObamaCare) is a complex law. For those who gamble, both professionally and as amateurs, there will be a multitude of impacts. The law includes twenty new taxes. Let’s take a look at how these will … Continue reading →

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