Author Archives: Russ

IRS to Accept Returns with Depreciation Sunday; Valentine’s Love for Education Credits

Posted on February 8, 2013 by Russ

The IRS announced today that they will begin accepting returns with depreciation (Form 4562) on Sunday, February 10th. This means that most business returns and many sole proprietor’s returns that have been on hold will be able to be filed … Continue reading →

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What “Out of Pocket” Means

Posted on February 8, 2013 by Russ

About ten years ago, I enjoyed one night at the hospital. The bill was only $17,000 (before discounts). My share of the bill was $0, so my medical expenses from that hospitalization were zero. If you don’t spend the money, … Continue reading →

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Shameless Self Promotion

Posted on February 6, 2013 by Russ

I finally received my copies of my new book, Tax Strategies for the Small Business Owner. While Amazon has had the book for a month, my publisher, APress, now has it in stock. What’s in Tax Strategies for the Small … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Taxable Talk | 1 Comment

Trust Attorney Showed No Trust

Posted on February 6, 2013 by Russ

Kenneth Hoesch was an attorney in Zeeland, Michigan. Mr. Hoesch specialized in trusts and estates. This is definitely an important specialty area; the correct application of trusts can increase the amount of money that flows to beneficiaries and decrease the … Continue reading →

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Will the Third Time be the Charm for Appeals?

Posted on February 5, 2013 by Russ

The IRS Office of Appeals describes its mission as, [T]o resolve tax controversies, without litigation, on a basis which is fair and impartial to both the Government and the taxpayer in a manner that will enhance voluntary compliance and public … Continue reading →

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How Government Stifles Entrepreneurship

Posted on February 4, 2013 by Russ

So you want to become a landlord in the District of Columbia. I saw an interesting piece on Slate that noted that a Washington, DC couple had to get three different sets of paperwork completed to rent out their condominium. … Continue reading →

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IRS Loses Again to Institute for Justice

Posted on February 2, 2013 by Russ

Two weeks ago, a court ruled that the IRS had no legal grounds to regulate unenrolled tax preparers. The IRS filed a motion seeking a stay of the court’s injunction against the IRS. Late yesterday, Judge James Boasberg (the same … Continue reading →

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California Hasn’t Conformed to 2013 Debt Forgiveness…Yet

Posted on January 30, 2013 by Russ

Mortgage debt forgiveness was part of the “Fiscal Cliff” bill that passed Congress on January 1st. If you sell your primary residence in a short sale (or your home is foreclosed), the cancelled debt (up to $400,000) is generally not … Continue reading →

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1099, W-2 Mailing Deadline Is Tomorrow

Posted on January 30, 2013 by Russ

Thursday, January 31st, is the deadline for employers and others to put most 1099s and all W-2s into the mail or otherwise deliver them to recipients. This is a postmark deadline. This means that it might still be a week … Continue reading →

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Would You Deliberately Mail a Check to the Wrong Address?

Posted on January 28, 2013 by Russ

Seriously, would you? Assume you owed a customer $1,000. The debt goes back over a year, and now you’re ready to pay. The customer notifies you that she’s moved, and provides you with her new correct address. How many of … Continue reading →

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