Author Archives: Russ

The Cubs Tax

Posted on February 7, 2010 by Russ

I’m a Cubs fan. I grew up in Chicago, and I loved going to games at Wrigley Field. The Cubs will start spring training in a couple of weeks in Mesa, Arizona. And that’s what this story is all about. … Continue reading →

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What €2.5 Million Buys You

Posted on February 7, 2010 by Russ

You can buy a lot with €2.5 Million. That’s about $3.41 million, about the salary of a typical major league baseball player. It can also buy you one cd, normally priced at about $0.35 (or about €0.26). Why the mark-up? … Continue reading →

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Falling from the Summit

Posted on February 7, 2010 by Russ

Roger Shoffstall ran the Summit Telephone and Telegraph Company in Alaska. The company serviced areas north of Fairbanks. As I reported last September, Mr. Shoffstall wanted his after-tax profit to be the same as his before-tax profit. That’s tough to … Continue reading →

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There Is an Income Tax and You Must Pay It

Posted on February 6, 2010 by Russ

When I ran West Coast operations for a telecommunications company, we hired a new employee. As per company policy, before he started work we had him fill out all the company paperwork. That individual handed the customer service manager a … Continue reading →

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“Shhh: The Middle Class Tax Hikes Are Coming”

Posted on February 4, 2010 by Russ

Most of us are in the middle class: That’s a fact. If taxes are going to go up, taxes on the middle class are going to go up. It’s an inconvenient truth that the current Administration would prefer not to … Continue reading →

Posted in Federal Budgeting | Tagged | 1 Comment

Radio Russ

Posted on February 2, 2010 by Russ

I am the guest on this week’s Deuce Plays podcast with Bart Hanson. The focus of the podcast is poker and taxes. You can also download it to your computer by clicking on this link.

Posted in Gambling, Taxable Talk | 2 Comments

Taxing the Man Behind the Tree

Posted on February 2, 2010 by Russ

Don’t tax me; don’t tax thee; tax that fellow behind the tree. — Senator Russell Long It appears that the President’s budget aims to copy California and Oregon in spending our way to bankruptcy. Additionally, the philosophy noted above is … Continue reading →

Posted in Legislation | Tagged | 2 Comments

Online Gambling Addresses

Posted on February 2, 2010 by Russ

This list has been superseded by the 2011 list. Click here to look at the 2011 list. The IRS and Department of the Treasury stated in January 2009 that online gambling websites are considered to be foreign financial accounts. If … Continue reading →

Posted in Gambling | 3 Comments

IRS Street Addresses

Posted on February 2, 2010 by Russ

A reader emailed me today and said, “Why haven’t you posted your list of IRS street addresses this year?” Well, the answer is that none have changed. Still, it’s time again for the list. Most taxpayers use the Postal Service … Continue reading →

Posted in IRS | Tagged | 2 Comments

The Marshals Get Their Man

Posted on January 31, 2010 by Russ

Stephen Hunter worked for American Right Litigators. If that name rings a bell, it should; ARL was the firm that Wesley Snipe went to that said you could avoid taxes through requesting some sort of rights determination letter. Hint: If … Continue reading →

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