Author Archives: Russ

Can New York Regulate Me?

Posted on October 11, 2009 by Russ

I live and work in Orange County, California.  My license comes from the federal government (I’m an Enrolled Agent, regulated under Circular 230). Yet New York State has enacted a measure that if legal would force me to remit $100 … Continue reading →

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Senate Health Care Proposal Leads to 80% Marginal Tax Rate?

Posted on October 11, 2009 by Russ

It’s hard for me to imagine such a high marginal tax rate, but those kinds of rates were the norm from the 1930s into the 1960s.  Higher marginal tax rates extended the Great Depression.  But that doesn’t seem to matter … Continue reading →

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Just Some Drops in the Bucket, Or a Steady Leak?

Posted on October 11, 2009 by Russ

California is, once more, looking at a budget that’s underwater.  That should be no surprise to my readers, as I noted that the current budget had a probable deficit of somewhere between $5 and $10 billion.  This past week John … Continue reading →

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A List to Avoid

Posted on October 8, 2009 by Russ

What do Sinbad, Dionne Warwick, and 248 other individuals have in common? They’ve appeared on the Franchise Tax Board’s annual listing of the 250 worst California income tax scofflaws. To make the list, you needed to owe at least $217,909.17.  … Continue reading →

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Money Growing on Trees in D.C. May Help Homebuyers

Posted on October 8, 2009 by Russ

There’s no such thing as a free lunch.  That said, Democrats in Washington are talking about extending the soon-to-expire first-time homebuyer’s credit. While this would certainly help the real estate market, this “free money” would have to be paid for…sooner … Continue reading →

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We’re Live, But Not Yet Ready for Prime Time

Posted on October 8, 2009 by Russ

Well, the blog has been successfully ported to our new host.  I’m now using WordPress, which is quite robust.  Unfortunately, none of the categories migrated so they’ll all have to be added.  Additionally, it is almost certain that none of … Continue reading →

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Important Blog Issues

Posted on September 26, 2009 by Russ

I will be moving the blog over the next few days. This means that it is possible that we’ll be down, and it’s almost certain that there will be no posting until sometime next week. If you subscribe to the … Continue reading →

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Mr. Tax Law Writing Tax Evader

Posted on September 23, 2009 by Russ

PJTV parodies the very successful Bud Light commercials “Real Men of Genius” with Real Members of Congress featuring Mr. Tax Law Writing Tax Evader. Unfortunately, the story is true…. Hat Tip: Patterico

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We’re Still #3!

Posted on September 23, 2009 by Russ

As I prepare to head to Sacramento for a conference, the Bronze Golden State found that it held fast this past year as the third worst business tax climate in the United States as ranked by the Tax Foundation. That … Continue reading →

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FBAR Extension Applies to Late Filers, Too

Posted on September 21, 2009 by Russ

With the IRS announcing the extension for FBAR voluntary disclosure filers, an obvious question is whether the extension also applies to those who are simply late in filing their 2008 Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (Form TD F … Continue reading →

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