Author Archives: Russ

IRS Tips on Choosing a Tax Preparer

Posted on January 12, 2010 by Russ

The IRS has come out with its annual list of tips in choosing a tax professional: 1. Check the person’s qualifications Ask if the preparer is affiliated with a professional organization that provides its members with continuing education and resources … Continue reading →

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37 More Years for Ed Brown

Posted on January 12, 2010 by Russ

Tax protester Ed Brown received 63 months for tax evasion. You may remember that he decided to barricade himself in his New Hampshire home, fill it with weapons, and tell the government to go somewhere else. As Joe Kristan notes, … Continue reading →

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Phony Notes but Real Evasion

Posted on January 12, 2010 by Russ

If you’re ever accused of a criminal offense, and you’re under bond (bail), you should show up at your trial. If you don’t, you are certain to find yourself in even worse trouble. Add in allegedly committing tax evasion and … Continue reading →

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For Sale With Mold

Posted on January 12, 2010 by Russ

Mold inside a building can be a major health issue. Unfortunately, California’s Board of Equalization is housed in such a building. The 24-story building is in a prime, downtown Sacramento location. But leaks and mold abound, and the $15 million … Continue reading →

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A Layover of 33 Months

Posted on January 11, 2010 by Russ

In July 2006 I reported on David Carruthers. Mr. Carruthers needed to fly from London to San Jose, Costa Rica. No nonstops were available, so he flew through DFW. The 2-hour layover ended up being 33 months. Mr. Carruthers happened … Continue reading →

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Traficant: Let’s Abolish the IRS

Posted on January 10, 2010 by Russ

Convicted felon and former (and possibly soon-to-be) Congressman James Traficant hit the airwaves. Mr. Traficant was on the radio in Cleveland. While he still hasn’t decided which Congressional race he’ll enter, he did call himself a “bitter man.” CQ Politics … Continue reading →

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Educated in Tax Fraud, Not Education

Posted on January 10, 2010 by Russ

Sometimes you just don’t need to embellish a story. The former Education Dean of the University of Louisville pleaded guilty last Friday to nine charges of embezzlement and tax fraud. Robert Felner embezzled $1.7 million from the University of Rhode … Continue reading →

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What’s $2 Trillion Among Friends

Posted on January 9, 2010 by Russ

From the Financial Times comes word that there are $2 Trillion worth of unfunded pensions at just the state and local level in the United States. The Financial Times article relies on a study by Orin Kramer of New Jersey’s … Continue reading →

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More on Tax Preparer Licensing

Posted on January 6, 2010 by Russ

I was at an audit this afternoon at the Laguna Niguel IRS office. The return (prepared by an unenrolled preparer) had gross errors. Frankly, any competent preparer should have caught these errors. Unfortunately, the individual who prepared the original return … Continue reading →

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Licensing of Tax Preparers Is Coming

Posted on January 4, 2010 by Russ

The IRS announced this morning that it will soon require registration and exams for most tax preparers who are not regulated. The report in the Wall Street Journal notes that the changes “will take several years to implement and will … Continue reading →

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