Author Archives: Russ

Unlikely Duo of Lawsuits Could Impact Illinois

Posted on August 26, 2009 by Russ

Rocky Wirtz is a folk hero among Chicago’s long-suffering hockey fans. After his father, William (Bill) Wirtz, passed away in 2007, he changed the Blackhawks’ philosophy. Suddenly, the laughable losers turned into winners, and the Blackhawks played in the Western … Continue reading →

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Another Don’t Try This at Home Story

Posted on August 23, 2009 by Russ

Back in July 2007, the IRS demanded that Richard M. Arnold of El Reno, Oklahoma, pay back taxes in the amount of $317,000. This wasn’t his first brush with the IRS; back in 1999 the IRS filed a $300,000 lien … Continue reading →

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He Fought The IRS, and the IRS Won

Posted on August 23, 2009 by Russ

I really wanted to title this piece He Fought the Law, and the Law Won, but that just wouldn’t be true. Wiley Kuyrkendall doesn’t believe that the IRS can collect income taxes. I’ve gone over such tax protester arguments in … Continue reading →

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Moving Your Cash Receipts to an ATM Won’t Strip Away the Income

Posted on August 21, 2009 by Russ

Unless Congress exempts income, it’s taxable. Cash income is just as taxable as checks or credit cards. As I reported last December, one enterprising Minnesota strip club owner didn’t think that was the case. He was wrong. As Joe Kristan … Continue reading →

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When a Fee Is a Tax

Posted on August 21, 2009 by Russ

San Diego has had budget problems for many years. One step that San Diego used to balance its budget was ruled an illegal tax this pat week by a court. San Diego charges a collection fee on its business tax. … Continue reading →

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Perhaps It Was The 300 Million Witnesses….

Posted on August 21, 2009 by Russ

Joe Kristan (Roth Tax Updates) brought news of my favorite tax evader, Richard Hatch, to my attention. It seems that Mr. Hatch believes the only reason he was imprisoned was that he was gay. Well, I beg to differ. When … Continue reading →

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The Next California Bomb: Pensions

Posted on August 20, 2009 by Russ

From Mish comes a report of problems with pensions in California. This isn’t a surprise; our liberal state legislature increased pension benefits when times were good. Unfortunately, things aren’t so good today. “I don’t want to sugarcoat anything,” Ron Seeling, … Continue reading →

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Getting a Bang for the Buck

Posted on August 17, 2009 by Russ

I’m not a fan of earmarks, but it’s how Washington works (unfortunately). Taxpayers for Common Sense and opensecrets.org have provided a list of earmarks out of this Congress. For those who lobby, some got lots for their bucks. The University … Continue reading →

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Death of Global Prosperity

Posted on August 16, 2009 by Russ

No, I’m not implying by the title of this post that we won’t return to good economic times. Rather, I’m commenting on the death of an outrageous tax fraud scheme. Back in November 2007 I wrote about the conviction of … Continue reading →

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Fake Employers Leads to Real Prison

Posted on August 16, 2009 by Russ

I try to save my clients money on their tax returns by finding legitimate deductions that they’re entitled to. Unfortunately, not everyone in my profession cares about legitimate. I wrote about Anthony Pendleton last February. Mr. Pendleton’s clients did get … Continue reading →

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