Author Archives: Russ

Cook County (Chicago) Sales Tax to Drop

Posted on December 2, 2009 by Russ

It’s rare these days to read about any tax rate dropping. County Commissioners in Cook County, Illinois, home of Chicago and some of the metropolis’ suburbs, voted earlier this year to cut the county’s sales tax rate by 0.5%. Cook … Continue reading →

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A Lesson for California from South Dakota

Posted on December 2, 2009 by Russ

California politicians seem to think that they can raise tax rates higher and higher and higher and businesses won’t react. Bluntly, that’s wrong. From the Leonard Letter and the South Dakota Department of Tourism and Economic Development comes word of … Continue reading →

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Thanksgiving Evasion

Posted on November 29, 2009 by Russ

While I had a great Thanksgiving, the individuals I’m highlighting below had a bit less to be thankful for. The first story highlights an indirect result of a traffic ticket while the second spotlights recurrent attempts at defrauding the IRS … Continue reading →

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Another List To Avoid

Posted on November 29, 2009 by Russ

Every six months theBoard of Equalization, California’s sales and excise tax agency, publishes its list of the top 250 debtors to the BOE. The list was updated this past week with 28 new entrants. Unlike the list of the top … Continue reading →

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At Least She’s Honest…

Posted on November 24, 2009 by Russ

California has economic troubles, but it’s not alone. Another state facing serious economic issues is Michigan. Not only is there the recession, but they also have the problems with the automobile industry. So what should politicians propose to help Michiganders … Continue reading →

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Didn’t You Know that Wages Aren’t Taxable?

Posted on November 23, 2009 by Russ

Well, I didn’t know that, but one group on individuals made that argument. Joseph Saladino, Marcel Bendshadler, and Michael Mungovan tried that dubious stance. They offered what the Portland Oregonian called a “tax evasion service” as they prepared over 1000 … Continue reading →

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When You’re Not Really Disabled, National TV Should be Avoided

Posted on November 23, 2009 by Russ

Suppose you’re disabled, and collecting disability from your insurance company. If your disability is supposedly keeping you from work, appearing on a nationally televised show where you are demonstrating your skills—skills you supposedly can’t do while disabled—could lead to problems. … Continue reading →

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Taxing Strip Clubs: OK; Taxing Escort Services: No

Posted on November 23, 2009 by Russ

Somehow, strip clubs and taxes seem to follow each other. Usually I report on strip club owners who somehow forget that cash income is just as taxable as any other income. Today, however, it’s time to head to Utah and … Continue reading →

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18 Tax Changes in Senate Healthcare Bill

Posted on November 20, 2009 by Russ

Senator Harry Reid’s (D-NV) healthcare legislation has 18 tax changes according to Americans for Tax Reform. Here’s a list of the taxes and their impacts (note: Dollar figures are single/single 2+ (S2) or MFJ): 1. Individual Mandate Tax. For those … Continue reading →

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Snipes Appeal Heard Today

Posted on November 20, 2009 by Russ

Wesley Snipes had another day in court today. Oral arguments were heard in his appeal of his conviction on three misdemeanor tax evasion charges. Mr. Snipes’ attorneys argued that the trial should have been moved from Ocala, Florida to protect … Continue reading →

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