Author Archives: Russ

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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Chiang Docks the Legislature; Was Budget Just $1.86 Billion Off?

Posted on June 22, 2011 by Russ

California Controller John Chiang announced today that the budget proposed by the Democrats was not balanced and that therefore he would stop paying the legislature until a balanced budget is voted on. Mr. Chiang stated, “The numbers simply did not … Continue reading →

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Unhappy Clients of Roni Deutch Talk to the Bee

Posted on June 21, 2011 by Russ

If you want to follow the Roni Deutch case, I strongly urge you to read the coverage in the Sacramento Bee. For example, on Sunday they spoke with several unhappy clients of Ms. Deutch. For the most part it appears … Continue reading →

Posted in California, IRS | Tagged | 3 Comments

When You Get that $110,000 Refund That’s Not Yours….

Posted on June 20, 2011 by Russ

What happens when you get a tax refund direct deposited in your bank account? Well, you spend the money (or invest it, etc.). But what if that isn’t your refund? Well, that’s a problem. Earlier this year I reported on … Continue reading →

Posted in IRS, Orange County | Tagged | 1 Comment