Author Archives: Russ

Kansas Joins Bad States for Gamblers in 2014

Posted on July 30, 2013 by Russ

Heads-up to residents of the Sunflower State: Your state will join the list of bad states for amateur gamblers beginning in 2014. During this year’s legislative session, your state legislature eliminated the itemized deduction for gambling losses beginning January 1, … Continue reading →

Posted in Gambling, Kansas | 3 Comments

Vacation

Posted on July 26, 2013 by Russ

It’s time for my annual vacation. If something earth-shattering in the tax world happens while I’m relaxing, I’ll take time out to post on it. Otherwise, enjoy the fine bloggers listed in the blogroll on the right. For the latest … Continue reading →

Posted in IRS, Taxable Talk | Comments Off on Vacation

The Flow of AGI from One State to Another

Posted on July 20, 2013 by Russ

From watchdog.org comes an interesting interactive map showing how money has flowed from state to state. Back when I moved to Nevada from California, I noted this issue. Here’s yet more verification that this is real. The five biggest losers … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, California, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas | 1 Comment

Waiting for Godot: Full Tilt Poker Remission

Posted on July 19, 2013 by Russ

Back in high school I read Samuel Beckett’s classic play Waiting for Godot. For Americans who are waiting for remission to occur on money they had on deposit at Full Tilt Poker, this could be retitled “Waiting for Remission.” In … Continue reading →

Posted in Gambling | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

IRS Scandal Update: Christine O’Donnell & IRS General Counsel

Posted on July 19, 2013 by Russ

Two pieces of news on the IRS scandal this week. First, TIGTA announced that four politicians’ tax returns were improperly accessed though only one of these was done deliberately. That case was referred to the US Department of Justice for … Continue reading →

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Zappers OK in B.C. but Using Them Isn’t

Posted on July 19, 2013 by Russ

A Richmond, British Columbia firm marketed an interesting computer program. As I noted when I first wrote about this (in 2008): Bradley Alvarez of the Canada Revenue Agency told The Province that, “Businesses are suspected of having hidden thousands of … Continue reading →

Posted in Canada, Sales Tax | Comments Off on Zappers OK in B.C. but Using Them Isn’t

“An Excercise in Bureaucratic Futility”

Posted on July 19, 2013 by Russ

Earlier this week I mentioned to you the ridiculous Patient Centered Outcomes Trust Fund Fee that HRAs must pay. I called it the most ridiculous tax ever. Jason Dinesen posts a real example of what he went through for one … Continue reading →

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Self-Proclaimed First Lady of Tax Fraud Gets 21 Years at ClubFed

Posted on July 18, 2013 by Russ

Let me give some helpful hints to anyone who is thinking of engaging in a life of crime. First, don’t brag about it to others. Live your life in a nice peaceful way and blend in. Second, if you do … Continue reading →

Posted in IRS, Tax Fraud | Tagged | 1 Comment

The IRS Is Not Taking July 22nd Off

Posted on July 16, 2013 by Russ

Earlier this year, the IRS announced they would be taking five furlough days due the sequester. The next of these furlough days was supposed to be Monday, July 22nd. The IRS announced today that the July 22nd furlough will not … Continue reading →

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The Most Ridiculous Tax Ever

Posted on July 15, 2013 by Russ

Suppose you have a Section 105 Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Do you know that you have a tax deadline approaching in just 16 days? Jason Dinesen has an excellent post on this. A Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) is a common method … Continue reading →

Posted in IRS | Tagged , , | 1 Comment