Author Archives: Russ

Not Vital In Vitro

Posted on December 23, 2008 by Russ

The Tax Court today looked at the case of a man who deducted in vitro fertilization (IVF) expenses. There was just a few problems: he wasn’t married, had no medical conditions, and the IRS objected. So why did the petitioner … Continue reading →

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Custer’s Last Stand

Posted on December 22, 2008 by Russ

No, not that Custer. Earlier this month the Tax Court looked at the case of Richard Custer. Mr. Custer, a pilot, hadn’t filed his 2004 tax return. The IRS sent him a notice of deficiency. Mr. Custer then filed a … Continue reading →

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Two Entrants for Tax Offender of the Year

Posted on December 22, 2008 by Russ

Joe Kristan has two stories today which show Bozo-sized stupidity. That’s definitely a prerequisite to being proclaimed the Tax Offender of the Year. First, from Tampa, Florida comes the case of Randy Nowak. Mr. Nowak was going through an IRS … Continue reading →

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Nominations for Tax Offender of the Year

Posted on December 22, 2008 by Russ

Yesterday was the first day of winter. For those of you suffering in the cold, I should point out that it is a little cold this morning in Orange County. As I write this it’s 53 F, with light rain. … Continue reading →

Posted in Tax Evasion, Taxable Talk | Tagged | 1 Comment

Pre-Holiday Fraud

Posted on December 21, 2008 by Russ

Lots of new tax evasion reported this week. I’m going to focus on a psychologist, contractors, a restaurant owner, a skydiver, and instant cameras. A psychologist finds herself in trouble rather than her patients. Dr. Linda Luther-Starbird is a psychologist … Continue reading →

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Man Who “Confused” a Lincoln Town Car With Sewing Machine Sentenced

Posted on December 21, 2008 by Russ

Earlier this year I wrote how it would be difficult to confuse a Lincoln Town Car with a Singer Sewing Machine. Yet Charles Edkins managed to do it. Of course, he was committing tax evasion by deducting personal expenses as … Continue reading →

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Two Fewer Bozo Tax Preparer Schemes

Posted on December 21, 2008 by Russ

A few fewer Bozo tax preparers are on the loose. From Greenville, South Carolina comes the first story. Appropriately named Brian Bobo and his wife Latoya thought they had a foolproof scheme. Latoya would take identification information from her job … Continue reading →

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Blagojevich Crony Pleads Guilty to Tax Fraud

Posted on December 21, 2008 by Russ

Speaking of governors having troubles there’s Governor Blagojevich of Illinois. Christopher Kelly was a fundraiser for Governor Blagojevich until he was indicted on 12 counts of tax fraud. Last week Mr. Kelly changed his plea to guilty from not guilty. … Continue reading →

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Budget Vetoed; What’s Next?

Posted on December 21, 2008 by Russ

Governor Schwarzenegger vetoed the Democrats’ end-run budget on Friday, and the veto stands no chance of being overridden (it would take a 2/3 vote, and it’s certain that no Republicans would vote for it). So what’s next? First, Governor Schwarzenegger … Continue reading →

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Constitution? We Don’t Need No Stinkin’ Constitution

Posted on December 18, 2008 by Russ

Democrats in the California legislature announced that they would vote this morning on a budget plan that would balance the budget by hiking taxes but doesn’t need a ⅔ vote to pass. (The state constitution requires a ⅔ vote for … Continue reading →

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