Author Archives: Russ

Two From the Bozo Tax Preparer Front

Posted on March 15, 2009 by Russ

Suppose you’re a tax “professional” and a client comes in who needs to file back tax returns. He presents his record of income for those years. You look at it and realize your client is going to owe a lot … Continue reading →

Posted in Tax Fraud, Tax Preparation | Tagged | 1 Comment

You Can’t Get Off the Mailing List

Posted on March 15, 2009 by Russ

I remember an old Peanuts where Snoopy asks to get off the IRS’ mailing list. It just doesn’t happen, and Barry Lusk of Easley, South Carolina may have learned his lesson. This story begins back in 2000. Mr. Lusk was … Continue reading →

Posted in Tax Evasion | 1 Comment

Swamplands Looking at a Tax Hike?

Posted on March 15, 2009 by Russ

California isn’t the only state that’s looking to raise taxes during a recession. The swamplands (aka New Jersey) are also looking at this tactic. Governor Jon Corzine (a Democrat), who coincidentally is up for reelection this fall, is proposing a … Continue reading →

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Weekend Mailbag

Posted on March 15, 2009 by Russ

Three questions of interest this weekend. The first deals with moving to Nevada, the second with the requirement to report foreign financial accounts, and the third deals with deducting clothing. First, a reader asks: I want to move to Nevada. … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Gambling, IRS, Nevada | Tagged | Comments Off on Weekend Mailbag

That’s a Strange God to Pray For

Posted on March 11, 2009 by Russ

There are many religions in this world. But one you won’t see is the Church of the IRS. Somehow, that just doesn’t seem right. Well, from Oklahoma comes the antithesis of this. Lindsey Springer and Oscar Stilley formed the Bondage … Continue reading →

Posted in Tax Fraud | 3 Comments

Online Gambling Addresses

Posted on March 10, 2009 by Russ

The IRS and Department of the Treasury recently stated that online gambling sites are foreign bank accounts that must be reported. There’s a problem, though. Most of these entities don’t broadcast their addresses. Some individuals sent email inquiries to one … Continue reading →

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Doctor Penis Guilty of Tax Fraud

Posted on March 8, 2009 by Russ

Dr. Jørn Ege had a thriving plastic surgery practice in Copenhagen. Apparently it was very successful—successful enough that he took 12.6 million kroner and didn’t disclose that on his 2005 income tax returns. Denmark isn’t known as a low tax … Continue reading →

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A Billion Here and a Billion There…

Posted on March 8, 2009 by Russ

A billion here, a billion there, pretty soon it adds up to real money.—Senator Everett Dirksen Well, a billion dollars is just about the amount that February collections by California were under budget. It’s going to get worse. April is … Continue reading →

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Just Below the Surface

Posted on March 8, 2009 by Russ

As a tax professional I get to observe first-hand what taxpayers think of the current tax climate. I think Howard Beale put it well: Somewhere between 8,000 and 15,000 protested in nearby Fullerton yesterday. These weren’t the usual left-wing protesters … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Taxable Talk | Comments Off on Just Below the Surface

The Checks Are in the Mail

Posted on March 6, 2009 by Russ

California Controller John Chiang announced today that California state income tax refunds have been released, and those on hold (generally, those processed two or more weeks ago) will start going out the door. Refunds through the mail should start hitting … Continue reading →

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