Author Archives: Russ

DOMA Done, But Don’t File that Joint Return Just Yet

Posted on June 26, 2013 by Russ

The US Supreme Court ruled today that the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) was unconstitutional. That makes it appear that same-sex couples should be able to file joint tax returns. There’s only one problem: The IRS computers likely would … Continue reading →

Posted in IRS | Tagged | 2 Comments

Loving Appeal to be Heard on September 24th

Posted on June 26, 2013 by Russ

The US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia set oral arguments for September 24th in the IRS’s appeal of Loving v. IRS. This is the case that stopped the IRS’s scheme to regulate unenrolled tax professionals. While the … Continue reading →

Posted in IRS | Tagged | 1 Comment

Why Saying No to wsop.com If You Win the $111,111 “Free” Seat Is a Good Idea

Posted on June 25, 2013 by Russ

Tonight, wsop.com will be giving away a “free” entry into a $111,111 buy-in tournament that begins on Wednesday. To be eligible for the free entry, you had to sign-up in person for the new online poker site wsop.com at the … Continue reading →

Posted in Gambling | Tagged | 3 Comments

FBAR Deadline Is Now

Posted on June 24, 2013 by Russ

Almost every tax form uses a postmark deadline. For example, if you mail your tax return on April 15th (using certified mail, return receipt requested, of course), and the post office sends your return to Fresno via Fargo so it … Continue reading →

Posted in IRS | Tagged | 1 Comment

Onwards and Upwards into the 20th Century!

Posted on June 21, 2013 by Russ

Not to sound like a broken record, but if today is a vision of the future, boy, do I want the past. I have another new client and needed to order transcripts. I called the IRS Practitioner Priority Service (PPS) … Continue reading →

Posted in IRS | Tagged | 1 Comment

When 68 Minutes of Hold Time Is an Improvement

Posted on June 20, 2013 by Russ

So after the debacle on Tuesday I called back yesterday afternoon. The hold time was far better: 68 minutes. That’s almost a 7% improvement! On the other hand, the representative I spoke with was quite helpful. Indeed, most of the … Continue reading →

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Today’s Example on Why Removing Disclosure Authorization from IRS eServices Is a Miserable Idea

Posted on June 18, 2013 by Russ

Today I needed to order a transcript for a client. I had a signed Form 8821 (Tax Information Authorization). I couldn’t enter the form electronically using Disclosure Authorization as I didn’t have past information for the taxpayer. So I faxed … Continue reading →

Posted in IRS | Tagged | 2 Comments

Go Directly to Jail. Do Not Pass Go….

Posted on June 16, 2013 by Russ

Usually when you’re sentenced to prison for a tax crime, you get a few days (or weeks) to get your affairs in order. That wasn’t the case on Friday for former New York State Senator Pedro Espada, Jr. Let’s first … Continue reading →

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IRS Scandal Update for June 16th

Posted on June 16, 2013 by Russ

Quite a bit of news on the IRS scandal this week: Eliana Johnson of National Review Online debunks the idea of “rogue agents in Cincinnati.” I never thought it was rogue agents. If you’re a religious organization, are you allowed … Continue reading →

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IRS Scandal Update for June 9th

Posted on June 9, 2013 by Russ

Another week has gone by, and some Democrats want the world to believe that the IRS scandal is resolved. It’s not. Here’s the news I’ve seen over the last week. Peggy Noonan has an excellent op-ed in the Wall Street … Continue reading →

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