Author Archives: Russ

Bozo Payroll Tax Scheme Lands Woman in ClubFed

Posted on June 3, 2012 by Russ

As I’ve said repeatedly, if you want to get in trouble with the IRS simply don’t remit payroll taxes that have been withheld to the government. You are certain to be investigated, and if any wrongdoing is found the investigation … Continue reading →

Posted in Payroll Taxes, Tax Fraud | Comments Off on Bozo Payroll Tax Scheme Lands Woman in ClubFed

Another Survey, Another Bad Result for California

Posted on May 30, 2012 by Russ

Yet another survey puts California among the worst three states from a tax perspective. Alvarez & Marsal Taxand, a consulting and tax advisory firm, surveyed 800 financial executives (302 responded). Among the questions asked was Which states do you view … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Florida, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Texas | Comments Off on Another Survey, Another Bad Result for California

On the Bright Side, Lawns Need Mowing at ClubFed, Too

Posted on May 28, 2012 by Russ

If there’s been a constant theme in this blog, it’s that if you monkey around with payroll taxes bad things will happen to you. Unfortunately, Michael Cioffi of Loxhatchee, Florida isn’t a reader of this blog. Mr. Cioffi operated a … Continue reading →

Posted in Payroll Taxes, Tax Evasion | Comments Off on On the Bright Side, Lawns Need Mowing at ClubFed, Too

Consistency: WSOP Still Not Accepting Form 5754

Posted on May 27, 2012 by Russ

Back in 2007, I wrote this post regarding staking and the World Series of Poker. Five years have elapsed and nothing has changed. Caesar’s (Harrah’s changed their name a year ago), which operates the WSOP at the Rio Casino here … Continue reading →

Posted in Gambling | Tagged | 1 Comment

Miccosukees Definitely in the Running for Tax Offender of the Year

Posted on May 22, 2012 by Russ

When I last reported on the Miccosukees (a South Florida Indian tribe that runs a casino), the tribe decided to apparently ignore the advice of their then-attorney and not withhold taxes on earnings of their members. They now have been … Continue reading →

Posted in Florida, Gambling | Tagged | Comments Off on Miccosukees Definitely in the Running for Tax Offender of the Year

Strip Club Tax Proposed in California; Unlikely to Become Law

Posted on May 22, 2012 by Russ

There’s now a proposal in California to tax strip clubs. The revenue that would be raised by the tax, proposed at $10 per patron, would go to rape crisis centers in the state. However, because this is a tax it … Continue reading →

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There’s Good Nostalgia and Bad Nostalgia

Posted on May 22, 2012 by Russ

Nifty Fifty’s is a nostalgia-themed chain of restaurants in the Philadelphia area. The chain is apparently successful, having won ten “Best in Philly” awards from readers of a Philadelphia newspaper. While the food is themed from the 1950s, the owners … Continue reading →

Posted in Tax Evasion | 2 Comments

An Incorrect 1099-C Leads to Tax Court

Posted on May 21, 2012 by Russ

A taxpayer receives a notice of canceled debt income (Form 1099-C). He disputes the notice, stating that instead of the debt being canceled in 2008, the debt went away years earlier — 1996. The IRS says the notice says you … Continue reading →

Posted in IRS, Tax Court | 1 Comment

Beware: Lots of Incorrect IRS Notices

Posted on May 21, 2012 by Russ

A client of mine received a CP2000 notice from the IRS alleging that the taxpayer owes nearly $7,000. The IRS states that several stock transactions were not included on the return. My client calls me, I calm him down, and … Continue reading →

Posted in IRS | Tagged | 1 Comment

CPA Allegedly Practices Theft of Funds

Posted on May 20, 2012 by Russ

A few years ago, there was a tax blog called April15.com. The proprietor, William Murray, was a CPA in Sacramento. He had a “trust accounting” system. Payments were sent to him, and he supposedly forwarded those payments on. It was … Continue reading →

Posted in South Carolina, Tax Evasion | 1 Comment