Author Archives: Russ

Koosman Pleads Guilty

Posted on May 26, 2009 by Russ

Jerry Koosman pleaded guilty last week to failing to file a federal tax return. It wasn’t a surprise that the former pitcher for the New York Mets and several other major league teams pleaded guilty; I reported on this earlier … Continue reading →

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Back to the Drawing Board

Posted on May 26, 2009 by Russ

After attending continuing education last week at the CSEA SuperSeminar in Las Vegas I expected a boring week to follow. After all, it’s a short week (Memorial Day was yesterday). Instead comes news that the IRS has scrapped its computer … Continue reading →

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What’s Next for California

Posted on May 21, 2009 by Russ

California voters rejected Propositions 1A-1E yesterday. Voters told Sacramento in no uncertain words it’s time to cut programs, and spend only the money you have. It will be interesting to see if the Democrats in control of both houses of … Continue reading →

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IRS Looking at Millionaires

Posted on May 21, 2009 by Russ

As I tell my clients the IRS is a collection agency. Generally, they look to collect money where there’s money to be found. Clearly, that’s individuals who make a lot of money. Douglas Shulman, the IRS Commissioner, told a House … Continue reading →

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Lies in Sin City

Posted on May 21, 2009 by Russ

I’ve covered Bozo tax preparers before, but since I’m in Las Vegas (to attend the annual CSEA SuperSeminar for continuing education) I’ll look at a resident of Sin City. Caroline Reyes operated Carol’s Tax Service (also called Central Tax Service). … Continue reading →

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Special Election on Tuesday

Posted on May 17, 2009 by Russ

On Tuesday Californians will vote in a special election on six initiatives that, even if they pass, will still leave the state with a $15 billion deficit. The Flash Report quotes Americans for Tax Reform: The California government has lived … Continue reading →

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Hatch Halfway Home

Posted on May 15, 2009 by Russ

Survivor winner and tax felon Richard Hatch was released to a halfway house in Pennsylvania from the Martinsburg, West Virginia prison where he was serving his 51 months for tax evasion. Mr. Hatch was scheduled to be released in October … Continue reading →

Posted in Tax Evasion | Tagged | 1 Comment

Sweet for Me, But Not for You

Posted on May 14, 2009 by Russ

With a name like Sweeties you can probably guess what the business was in. If the government is correct, your first instinct would be right. The Department of Justice is accusing Douglas Ketcher and Christina Wypych of Oakland Park, Florida … Continue reading →

Posted in Payroll Taxes, Tax Fraud | 1 Comment

Proposition 1A: Budget Process

Posted on May 11, 2009 by Russ

Proposition 1A is the last of the six initiatives that Californians will vote on next Tuesday. The title of this initiative states, “STATE BUDGET. CHANGES CALIFORNIA BUDGET PROCESS. LIMITS STATE SPENDING. INCREASES “RAINY DAY” BUDGET STABILIZATION FUND.” If only it … Continue reading →

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BOE Staff At Work

Posted on May 11, 2009 by Russ

Bill Leonard, who I just linked to, is one of the five elected members of the Board of Equalization. The BOE directly administers California sales taxes, and hears appeals of various tax rulings. A few years ago a gentleman declared … Continue reading →

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