Author Archives: Russ

When the Whine Under the Hood Is a Dead Rat

Posted on February 21, 2010 by Russ

Finding a good, honest automobile mechanic can be difficult. I’ve been lucky; my car is fairly reliable and my mechanic really is honest. Unfortunately, there’s a mechanic in the Bay Area who invented a unique way to rip off the … Continue reading →

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Traficant to Run as an Independent

Posted on February 21, 2010 by Russ

James Traficant is leaving the Democratic party. He is now planning on running as an independent in the May Ohio primary. The Associated Press noted that he doesn’t like the Congressional leadership of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority … Continue reading →

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Nevada’s Budget Troubles

Posted on February 18, 2010 by Russ

While California has been on center stage with its budget troubles, Nevada, too, has had problems. The Silver State is facing an $887 million budget deficit (by comparison, California is facing a $19.9 billion deficit). Unemployment is high, and revenues … Continue reading →

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Austin Plane Crash

Posted on February 18, 2010 by Russ

As I’m sure you’ve heard, a man set fire to his home in Austin, Texas and then flew his private plane into an office building housing IRS offices. Two bodies have been found. Nineteen individuals were injured in the crash. … Continue reading →

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FUBAR Squared

Posted on February 17, 2010 by Russ

Last night I wrote about California’s messed up implementation of new Use Tax reporting requirements. I forgot the best (or worst) part of the fiasco. Let’s assume that instead of purchasing a book you bought a computer monitor and did … Continue reading →

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Traficant Update

Posted on February 17, 2010 by Russ

It’s been a month since I’ve written about James Traficant, the once and possibly future Congressman and convicted felon. Mr. Traficant has been in the news in the last week, though. First, he announced a location for his proposed Indian … Continue reading →

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The Use Tax Mess in California

Posted on February 16, 2010 by Russ

I’ve often wondered, how do you make the Franchise Tax Board (California’s income tax agency) look good? Well, I and other California tax professionals have discovered the answer: Have the Board of Equalization implement a program that had such a … Continue reading →

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One Ray of Sunshine Amid the Darkening Gloom

Posted on February 14, 2010 by Russ

California’s tax revenues were $1.2 billion higher than expected in January according to the Department of Finance. Democrats in the Legislature are unfortunately delusional about what $1.2 billion does to a $19.9 billion deficit. From the Mercury-News: “There is a … Continue reading →

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Colorado Loves California Day

Posted on February 14, 2010 by Russ

A news story out of Denver notes: Colorado lawmakers were incredulous after Gov. Bill Ritter declared that today is “Colorado Loves California Day.” Republican Rep. Jim Kerr of Littleton said, “Are you kidding me,” after he found out it wasn’t … Continue reading →

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I Only Got 54 Years Last Time

Posted on February 14, 2010 by Russ

We have yet another nominee for the Bozo Tax Offender of the Year award. Let’s head to Albuquerque, New Mexico. Back in 2005 Gayle McIntyre pleaded guilty to 36 counts of state tax fraud. She was sentenced to 54 years … Continue reading →

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