Author Archives: Russ

Well, It Was Only Three Zeroes Off

Posted on February 18, 2011 by Russ

I didn’t know that shoe inserts were a good business, but they are. Randall Pennington, of Houston (and formerly of Branson West, Missouri) was the proprietor of an orthotics business in Missouri. One look at the tax returns of his … Continue reading →

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If Statesboro, Georgia Sent Me a Property Tax Lien

Posted on February 17, 2011 by Russ

Let’s suppose there was a company in Statesboro, Georgia called “Clayton Financial and Tax.” Let’s further suppose that they didn’t pay their property tax bill, and that the business folded. Statesboro tries to find someone to pay the bill, so … Continue reading →

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Making $35,000 While Gambling with $800,000 Doesn’t Compute

Posted on February 15, 2011 by Russ

Even if you lose as a gambler, you’re supposed to report the income. Today, the Tax Court took up the case of a gambler who lost in more ways than one. Our unlucky gambler spent quite a bit of time … Continue reading →

Posted in Gambling, Tax Court | 2 Comments

Changes (Welcome, Aaron Lion)

Posted on February 15, 2011 by Russ

This year will be one of change for my business. When I started my business in 1999 I had just some thoughts and dreams. Nearly twelve years later I have a mature and still growing tax practice and I must … Continue reading →

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$28 Million in Tax Fraud Gets Preprarer 6 Years at ClubFed

Posted on February 14, 2011 by Russ

Lester Morrison had a great business going. His “Tax Prep” (also called “24 Hour Income Tax Refund Service”) was doing a bang-up business in the Bronx and across the river in New Jersey. Their clients were quite pleased with their … Continue reading →

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No Valentine’s Love from the IRS

Posted on February 14, 2011 by Russ

When the IRS announced that they will begin accepting all tax returns for processing on February 14th, I called it a bit of Valentine’s love. No more, though. I received a notification from my software vendor that the IRS will … Continue reading →

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Gilbert Hyatt and the FTB (An Update)

Posted on February 11, 2011 by Russ

When last I reported on the Gilbert Hyatt case, Mr. Hyatt had won nearly $400,000,000 (yes, that’s $400 million) in a lawsuit from the Franchise Tax Board. This case began when Mr. Hyatt moved from California to Nevada in 1992, … Continue reading →

Posted in Canada, Nevada | Tagged | 3 Comments

Unlearning the Income Tax: Another Journey to Frivolity

Posted on February 8, 2011 by Russ

About once a year I decide to post about the newest Bozo scheme to get out of the income tax. It’s that time again: Today, we learn about the Institute for Unlearning. Yes, that’s a real website and its proprietor, … Continue reading →

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Two Casino Chip Theft Cases, Two Arrests (Illegal Income Primer)

Posted on February 8, 2011 by Russ

When I learned math, I learned that 1 times any number is that other number, and that 0 times any number is 0. So if I steal 400,000,000,000 play money poker chips (each can be converted to absolutely nothing), I’ve … Continue reading →

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Wellek Gets 1 Year at ClubFed

Posted on February 7, 2011 by Russ

There’s something about strip clubs that make them go hand-in-hand with tax evasion. Michael Wellek owned three such clubs in the Chicagoland area. Back in 2003, the IRS seized $12 million from a warehouse owned by Mr. Wellek. And that’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Illinois, Tax Evasion | Tagged | Comments Off on Wellek Gets 1 Year at ClubFed