Author Archives: Russ

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 →

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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 →

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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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The Stop Tax Haven Abuse Act and Online Gambling

Posted on March 4, 2009 by Russ

Senator Carl Levin (D-MI) and others introduced the Stop Tax Haven Abuse Act on Monday. The Act targets financial transactions into (or out of) jurisdictions that are considered to be tax havens. Senator Levin has posted a summary of the … Continue reading →

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Louisiana Bar Owner and Poker Player Accused of 505 Counts

Posted on March 1, 2009 by Russ

I usually don’t report on state tax fraud, but when I see someone accused of 505 counts, that gets my attention. From Lafayette, Louisiana, comes the story of Eric Cloutier. Mr. Cloutier is a former professional hockey player, and also … Continue reading →

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Neither Rain, Nor Sleet, Nor Snow, But Sticky Fingers…

Posted on March 1, 2009 by Russ

The inscription on the New York City General Post Office is actually, Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds. Yet one postman serving the Bronx is, … Continue reading →

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