Author Archives: Russ

Ohio Gamblers: Don’t Forget Your City Income Tax

Posted on August 26, 2012 by Russ

Ohio has (or will soon have) four casinos: one in each of Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, and Toledo. The good news for Ohio gamblers is that beginning in 2013 Ohioans can deduct gambling losses on their state income taxes. The bad … Continue reading →

Posted in Ohio | Comments Off on Ohio Gamblers: Don’t Forget Your City Income Tax

A Story of Identity Theft; Why Is the Death Master File Still Available?

Posted on August 26, 2012 by Russ

My father died almost six years ago. It’s something that’s inevitable for all of us. My mother was lucky in one respect: No one stole my father’s identity at death. Unfortunately, such identity thefts are becoming far more common. Jason … Continue reading →

Posted in IRS | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

MTA (MCTMT) Tax Ruled Unconstitutional; Appeal Certain

Posted on August 26, 2012 by Russ

I prepare a number of New York tax returns for self-employed individuals. One of the more annoying tax returns is the Metropolitan Commuter Transportation Mobility Tax in the New York City metropolitan area. It’s not a large tax by any … Continue reading →

Posted in New York | Tagged , | Comments Off on MTA (MCTMT) Tax Ruled Unconstitutional; Appeal Certain

German Court to Decide Whether Poker Is Taxable for a Professional

Posted on August 23, 2012 by Russ

In 2011, Pius Heinz of Germany won the main event of the World Series of Poker and a nice tax-free $8,715,638. Well, maybe it’s not tax-free. Via @Taxdood and @Taxnews1 comes word that a German court in Cologne will be … Continue reading →

Posted in Gambling, International | Tagged , | Comments Off on German Court to Decide Whether Poker Is Taxable for a Professional

Sheer Stupdity in the Bronze State

Posted on August 22, 2012 by Russ

Sometimes I read a story and wonder if I’m reading actual news or something from The Onion. Such was the case this morning when I looked at an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal/ on Democrats’ plan to mandate a … Continue reading →

Posted in California | 1 Comment

Not Only Were the Employees Outsourced, The Taxes Went Away, Too

Posted on August 21, 2012 by Russ

From San Antonio comes word of a company that allegedly took care of small businesses’ taxes in a way that’s, well, arresting. John Bean apparently owned a professional employer organization named “Synergy Personnel.” Most PEOs become the actual employer and, … Continue reading →

Posted in Tax Fraud | 1 Comment

Shock! Moody’s Reviewing California Municipal Finances

Posted on August 19, 2012 by Russ

In what is not shocking to me but is apparently shocking to Democrats in Sacramento, Moody’s announced it will be performing a comprehensive review of California municipal finances. So far this year three California cities have declared bankruptcy: Stockton, Mammoth … Continue reading →

Posted in California | Comments Off on Shock! Moody’s Reviewing California Municipal Finances

Illinois Adopts Strip Club Tax

Posted on August 19, 2012 by Russ

Back in May I posted about Illinois’ proposed strip club tax. We can now remove ‘proposed’ as the tax was signed into law; the tax goes into effect on January 1st. The tax of $3 per patron will go to … Continue reading →

Posted in Illinois | Tagged | 1 Comment

“I Don’t Need Proof: Since I Worked for the IRS and am a CPA, You Should Just Accept my Deductions.”

Posted on August 16, 2012 by Russ

The title to this piece is not a literal quote…but it’s effectively what today’s petitioner told both the IRS and the Tax Court. Needless to say, that’s not a good strategy. Bobby Perry worked for the IRS for a few … Continue reading →

Posted in Tax Court | 2 Comments

“Uniquely American…Cooking the Books”

Posted on August 12, 2012 by Russ

From South Florida comes the tale of woe for David Cypress. Mr. Cypress is a former leader of the Seminole Tribe in South Florida. The Seminoles have a gambling palace in Hollywood, Florida: The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. … Continue reading →

Posted in Tax Evasion | Tagged , | Comments Off on “Uniquely American…Cooking the Books”