Author Archives: Russ

Only in California: $440.5 Million in Extra Revenue Is $350 Million Short

Posted on July 13, 2011 by Russ

Here in the Bronze Golden State, the state income numbers for June have just come in. Collections came in better than forecast by $440.5 Million. That seems good, but it’s not quite good enough to meet California’s budget. That budget … Continue reading →

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Two Baltimore Bail Bondsmen Found Taxes to be the Least of Their Problems

Posted on July 11, 2011 by Russ

Many businesses require licenses. In Maryland, you need a license to be a bail bondsmen (I suspect you do in most states). One of the rules in Maryland is that you can’t be a convicted felon if you’re a bail … Continue reading →

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Denver Madam Pleads Guilty

Posted on July 11, 2011 by Russ

Late last year, I reported on Brenda Stewart. Ms. Stewart owned Denver Sugar and Denver Players, a prostitution ring that, per the Denver Post, catered to the high-end of Denver society. The problem for Ms. Stewart wasn’t the call-girl ring; … Continue reading →

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Hawaii Tries for #1

Posted on July 11, 2011 by Russ

What state has the highest individual income tax rate in the United States? No, it’s not California. Sorry, New York isn’t the place either. Oregon just misses out on the top spot. It’s Hawaii. And Hawaii is adding to the … Continue reading →

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When Your Computer Takes the Day Off

Posted on July 11, 2011 by Russ

Last Sunday, my computer decided that it wanted to take a vacation. Now, I believe there’s a religion where mechanical devices have souls (Shintoism?), but I don’t believe that. But try as I might my computer had enough of me. … Continue reading →

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California Passes Amazon Tax; California to Lose Tax Revenue

Posted on June 30, 2011 by Russ

As part of the recent budget, California implemented an Amazon tax. There were two components of the tax. First, any business with affiliates in the Bronze Golden State must collect sales tax on Internet sales. Second, any business with subsidiaries … Continue reading →

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California Sales and Income Tax Rates Decrease Tomorrow

Posted on June 30, 2011 by Russ

As part of one of California’s bad budget deals, sales and income tax rates were temporarily increased by 1% and 0.25%, respectively, for two years. Despite the protests of Jerry Brown and Democrats in the California legislature, those temporary tax … Continue reading →

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Democrats Invent Revenue; Budget to Pass Later Today

Posted on June 28, 2011 by Russ

Jerry Brown faced one reality yesterday: The votes aren’t there for extension of the temporary tax increases passed two years ago. However, he and Democratic leaders of the California legislature will be passing a budget today that will on paper … Continue reading →

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Standard Mileage Rates Increase on July 1st

Posted on June 23, 2011 by Russ

When a manager gets a vote of confidence in baseball, he should usually start worrying that his job is in danger. After the IRS earlier this year stated that they would not increase the mileage rates, I began to believe … Continue reading →

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Myriad of Foreign Accounts Claim Two Victims

Posted on June 22, 2011 by Russ

The Department of Justice press release reads like a Who’s Who of foreign tax havens. Sean and Nadia Roberts of Tehachapi, California (near Bakersfield) run the National Test Pilot School in Mojave. They’ve also pleaded guilty to one count of … Continue reading →

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