Author Archives: Russ

Can I Add Some Snake Oil to that Pension Plan, Too?

Posted on August 30, 2010 by Russ

If I were a business owner, wouldn’t I want this wonderful pension plan? Under this plan, I’d (a) be able to turn personal expenses into deductible pension contributions; (b) the pension plan would only cover me (and my family), not … Continue reading →

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Paying Taxes with Phony Money Isn’t a Good Idea

Posted on August 30, 2010 by Russ

If you owe money to the IRS, I recommend you pay with US Dollars. Of course, it’s not only a recommendation; it’s required by law. Still, once the Bozo contingent gets involved, you never know what will happen. So I’m … Continue reading →

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Unladylike Behavior or Election Year Politics?

Posted on August 26, 2010 by Russ

Earlier this week California Attorney General (and Democratic candidate for Governor) Jerry Brown filed a $34 Million lawsuit against the Roni Deutch Law Firm. Ms. Deutsch (who has a tax blog) and her law firm focus on representing taxpayers in … Continue reading →

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That DUI Wasn’t a Good Omen

Posted on August 25, 2010 by Russ

A week ago I wrote about former Louisiana State Senator Charles Jones. Just before his retrial on tax evasion, he was cited for driving while under the influence. That apparently wasn’t a good omen for Mr. Jones. His trial was … Continue reading →

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Still Time for NOLs

Posted on August 25, 2010 by Russ

There’s still time to claim your (up to) five-year carryback on a Net Operating Loss (NOL). You have until October 15th to claim this for losses from either 2008 or 2009. Joe Kristan has more.

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On the Whole, I’d Rather Not be in Philadelphia

Posted on August 23, 2010 by Russ

Suppose you are a blogger that accepts advertising, and you reside in Philadelphia. You make $10 a year from the small blog advertisements you accept. It’s not much, but it’s something…until you get the bill from the City of Philadelphia … Continue reading →

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Alabama Highest in Sales Tax Rates

Posted on August 23, 2010 by Russ

If you don’t want to pay sales tax, go to Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, or Oregon. On the other hand, if you like high sales taxes, head to Alabama. That’s the crux of a report issued by the Tax Foundation. … Continue reading →

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Financial Advice from Zsa Zsa Gabor

Posted on August 23, 2010 by Russ

Zsa Zsa Gabor has led a long and interesting life. From the UK Telegraph, here are a couple of her one liners: I learned in school that money isn’t everything. It’s happiness that counts. So Momma sent me to a … Continue reading →

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The Answer: $64.25

Posted on August 19, 2010 by Russ

As part of the IRS announcement today on the new PTIN regulations, we now what it will cost tax professionals to either re-register their PTINs or to obtain a new PTIN: $64.25. Compensated tax return preparers would pay a $64.25 … Continue reading →

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PTINs and the SEE: Unintended Consequences

Posted on August 19, 2010 by Russ

The IRS announced today that as part of the new PTIN procedure the IRS will temporarily stop issuing new PTINs on Monday, August 23rd. No big deal, right? After all, in a month or two you will be able to … Continue reading →

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