Author Archives: Russ

Three Gambling Questions

Posted on January 15, 2009 by Russ

Three interesting questions were recently emailed to me regarding gambling tax issues. Let’s take a look at some of the issues of concern: 1. “I’m planning on playing at an upcoming poker tournament in Los Angeles and heard that if … Continue reading →

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Givers Gain

Posted on January 13, 2009 by Russ

Two tax fraud stories on Tuesday, making it a twofer for Bozos. And trust me, don’t try either of these yourself. First, we head to Miami. Pablo Gehr allegedly wanted to help his fellow church parishioners. He allegedly volunteered to … Continue reading →

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It’s Only Monday

Posted on January 13, 2009 by Russ

It’s only Monday. And I already have several tales of woe from the tax evasion front. First, there’s one less Bozo preparer out in the world. Tommy Jordan is the former owner of Tax Tyme in Montgomery, Alabama. Mr. Jordan … Continue reading →

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Tax Season May Start In Mid-February This Year

Posted on January 12, 2009 by Russ

If you want to make an accountant unhappy all you need to do is tell him that tax season will be compressed. Funneling more work into fewer days does not brighten an accountant’s day. The IRS today officially recognized what … Continue reading →

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The Estate Tax

Posted on January 12, 2009 by Russ

The Wall Street Journal reported this morning that Democratic leaders in Congress expect to introduce legislation continuing the Estate Tax in 2010. Under current law the Estate Tax is scheduled to disappear in 2010 but reappear in 2011 at the … Continue reading →

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Selecting a Professional Tax Preparer

Posted on January 12, 2009 by Russ

We all know what assume means. “Do you remember the old episode of tv’s ODD COUPLE when Felix explains to Oscar what happens when you assume? We all must know by now that when you assume you make an ass … Continue reading →

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A Bad Week for Evaders

Posted on January 11, 2009 by Russ

Lots on the tax evasion front from the last few days. And we have two early entrants into the 2009 Tax Offender of the Year contest. Larry McClure is one of two owners of Morgan-McClure Motorsports. Morgan-McClure owns a NASCAR … Continue reading →

Posted in Tax Evasion | 2 Comments

GOP Lawsuit A Bit Early

Posted on January 11, 2009 by Russ

Republican legislators joined with the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association in a lawsuit attempting to stop the “user fee” tax increases. If you remember, Democrats tried a back door method of increasing taxes. Normally, a tax increase in California requires a … Continue reading →

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Three From the FTB and BOE

Posted on January 11, 2009 by Russ

Michelle Steele, a member of the Board of Equalization, in her newsletter reminded everyone that the BOE will be conducting Use Tax audits of small businesses. Use Tax is the equivalent of sales tax on purchases where sales tax is … Continue reading →

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The Great Money Pit

Posted on January 6, 2009 by Russ

Other than noting local elections I haven’t really written much on this blog about local politics. Irvine has a favorable business climate, and the city hasn’t had revenue problems. Unfortunately, I think change is on the horizon, and it’s not … Continue reading →

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