Author Archives: Russ

Kansas: E-File or Wait for Godot

Kansas announced that if you file a paper return, you could wait 16 weeks for your refund. The Sunflower State is having budget troubles, and the Kansas Department of Revenue responded by not hiring temporary workers for this tax season. … Continue reading

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Are the Democrats in Sacramento that Blind?

There was an election in Massachusetts on Tuesday. As I’m sure you’re aware, Republican Scott Brown is the new Republican Senator from Massachusetts. Apparently, Democrats in Sacramento are blind to the obvious. The voters in Massachusetts, a state more liberal … Continue reading

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Senate Passes Haiti Charitable Contributions Bill

As expected, the Senate quickly and unanimously passed a bill allowing Americans who make charitable contributions to Haitian earthquake relief to take those charitable contributions on their 2009 tax returns. I expect President Obama to sign the measure very quickly. … Continue reading

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House Passes Haiti Charitable Donation Law

The House of Representatives unanimously passed a law allowing individuals to take 2010 contributions toward earthquake relief in Haiti on their 2009 tax returns. I expect the Senate to pass the law very quickly, perhaps by the State of the … Continue reading

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They’re Mad as Hell and They’re Not Going to Take It Any More!

Many of you may remember the movie classic Network: On Tuesday, voters in Massachusetts sent a message to politicians. Massachusetts elected a Republican Senator. To put that in perspective, the last time a Republican was elected to the Senate in … Continue reading

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The Mess in California

There is some good news in California this weekend. We’re apparently about to be hit with a lot of rain. The television stations are saying we’ll get four to eight inches this coming week. That doesn’t sound like much, but … Continue reading

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Busted for CodeBusters

If someone tells you there’s no such thing as an income tax, run, don’t walk, in the other direction. If someone tells you that all you have to do to avoid the IRS is submit a report of your IRS … Continue reading

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Haiti Charitable Tax Deduction Legislation Likely

In a rare show of bipartisanship, Democrats and Republicans plan on introducing joint legislation to allow Americans to claim a tax deduction for charitable contributions to Haiti earthquake relief in 2009 though the deductions are made in 2010. I expect … Continue reading

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How to Go to ClubFed for Tax Evasion

If you really, really want to go to ClubFed for committing tax evasion, do what Tom Daugherty of Fort Myers, Florida did. Mr. Daugherty, a commercial real estate broker, bought $2.19 million of cashier’s checks from Orion Bank. He also … Continue reading

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Is Oregon at the Tax Crossroads?

The Wall Street Journal editorializes on Friday that Oregon is at the tax crossroads. The Oregon Legislature, dominated by Democrats, voted to increase the state’s top personal income tax bracket to 11% from 9%; they also voted to increase the … Continue reading

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