Author Archives: Russ

Californians, Your Taxes Just Increased

Posted on August 27, 2009 by Russ

California’s tax brackets are indexed for inflation. Normally, the marginal tax brackets go up each year. But 2009 is anything but a normal year. The Franchise Tax Board announced the new brackets, and deflation is the name of the game. … Continue reading →

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Taxes Are For Little People

Posted on August 27, 2009 by Russ

That’s the gist of the famous line uttered by Leona Helmsley. She ended up spending time at ClubFed. It appears that philosophy is shared by the Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, Charles Rangel (D-NY). Mr. Rangel amended … Continue reading →

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California, Nevada, and Texas

Posted on August 26, 2009 by Russ

A California State Assemblyman is upset with the ads that the Nevada Development Corporation is running. California is golden, and Nevada is silver. Why would any business leave? Here’s Assemblyman Jose Solorio’s (D-Anaheim) response: Before I comment on that, there’s … Continue reading →

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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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