Author Archives: Russ

We’re Going Down to Come Back Like a Phoenix

Posted on May 8, 2011 by Russ

My current hosting company has decided they don’t want my business. I am being forced to switch companies (something I’ll write about next week). For now, we will likely be going down and then reappearing like the proverbial Phoenix and … Continue reading →

Posted in Taxable Talk | Comments Off on We’re Going Down to Come Back Like a Phoenix

Hawaii Likely to Increase Film Credits; What Could Go Wrong?

Posted on May 2, 2011 by Russ

Do you like Hawaii Five-0? No matter, it’s very likely you will see far more films and television productions made in Hawaii in the near future. The legislature in Hawaii is considering increasing the film credit rate from 15% to … Continue reading →

Posted in Hawaii, Iowa | Comments Off on Hawaii Likely to Increase Film Credits; What Could Go Wrong?

Radio Russ

Posted on April 27, 2011 by Russ

I am once again the guest on Bart Hanson’s Deuce Plays podcast this week. We discuss “Black Friday” in the online poker world, and its probable impact on taxes, and the possible future of online gambling in the United States. … Continue reading →

Posted in Gambling, Taxable Talk | Comments Off on Radio Russ

One Down, Two to Go

Posted on April 26, 2011 by Russ

This afternoon, PokerStars announced that they are now ready to return balances in Americans’ accounts back to them. Depending on the balance, this can be done by check, electronic funds transfer, or wire transfer (only balances of $50,000 or more … Continue reading →

Posted in Gambling | Comments Off on One Down, Two to Go

FTB’s Top 250 Delinquencies Not a Minor Affair

Posted on April 25, 2011 by Russ

Right at the end of the tax season, the Franchise Tax Board released its list of the top 250 delinquencies. There is still a celebrity or two on the list, but the new list is a bit more mundane than … Continue reading →

Posted in California | Comments Off on FTB’s Top 250 Delinquencies Not a Minor Affair

Another List, Another Bad Score for California

Posted on April 25, 2011 by Russ

Here in the Bronze Golden State, discovering that you rank at the bottom of a list is all in a day’s work. Another list of business climate, this one from the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council, ranks the best and … Continue reading →

Posted in California | 1 Comment

Steinberg to Propose Local Income Taxes

Posted on April 25, 2011 by Russ

Democrats in California’s legislature are looking for ways to balance the budget. If you or I were spending $28 billion more than we were taking in, we would cut spending. But that’s not how Democrats in Sacramento approach the problem. … Continue reading →

Posted in California | Comments Off on Steinberg to Propose Local Income Taxes

Pound Wise, Penny Foolish

Posted on April 21, 2011 by Russ

Robert Flach states this morning that using certified mail, return receipt requested, when mailing tax returns to tax agencies is a waste of time and money. But the extra you spend to get a return receipt is a total waste … Continue reading →

Posted in IRS, Taxable Talk | 2 Comments

Roni Deutch In More Trouble

Posted on April 21, 2011 by Russ

California’s Attorney General would like to see “Tax Lady” Roni Deutch in prison. Yesterday, California Attorney General Kamala Harris asked a Sacramento court to send Ms. Deutch to prison for contempt. Why? Because Ms. Deutch and her law firm are … Continue reading →

Posted in California | Comments Off on Roni Deutch In More Trouble

Apparently Much Faster than Neteller

Posted on April 20, 2011 by Russ

The one question I have been asked many times by my clients with money held up because of the Department of Justice’s action against online poker sites is, “When will I get my money back?” The answer appears to be … Continue reading →

Posted in Gambling | Comments Off on Apparently Much Faster than Neteller