Author Archives: Russ

As the Budget Churns

Posted on November 23, 2008 by Russ

California’s continuing budget crisis may be buried towards the back of newspapers but if you’re a Californian you should start paying attention. It looks pretty clear to me that some taxes are going to go up eventually. Negotiators are debating … Continue reading →

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Rangel’s Tax Troubles Mount

Posted on November 23, 2008 by Russ

Charles Rangel (D-NY) is the chairman of the powerful House Ways & Means Committee. All tax legislation is supposed to start in that committee. Congressman Rangel has been battling tax troubles over the past year. His troubles have apparently worsened. … Continue reading →

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Fire Relief from the FTB

Posted on November 19, 2008 by Russ

The Franchise Tax Board announced today that disaster relief is available to impacted taxpayers. Taxpayers who are amending their returns should write “Southern California Wildfires 2008” in red ink on the top of their return so that it is expedited. … Continue reading →

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Another Resource for the Tax Protester

Posted on November 17, 2008 by Russ

Every so often I get a phone call from someone who tells me, “Now Russ, I know that paying the income tax is completely voluntary and I don’t really have to file.” Or it might go like this: “Russ, I’m … Continue reading →

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Bozos and Brothels

Posted on November 16, 2008 by Russ

Two stories tonight, one from Tulsa and one from England; they both illustrate Bozo behavior (or should I spell that behaviour) and one adds some British understatement. First, let’s go to Tulsa, Oklahoma. Cynthia Michelle Odom was in state prison … Continue reading →

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Time to Get Out Your Checkbook, Mr. Anderson

Posted on November 16, 2008 by Russ

When we last looked at Walter Anderson he was being sentenced to nine years at ClubFed. We wrote, at that time, “But Mr. Anderson did get lucky in one respect. Because the plea agreement was poorly written, the judge did … Continue reading →

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More on the World Series of Poker and Income Tax

Posted on November 13, 2008 by Russ

Earlier this week I posted on the tax bite that the top nine finishers at this year’s main event of the World Series of Poker faced. This year’s winner, Peter Eastgate, hails from Denmark. Assuming he is subject to Danish … Continue reading →

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$28 Billion?

Posted on November 11, 2008 by Russ

California’s Legislative Analyst is projecting that the budget deficit, currently pegged at about $11 billion, might grow to $28 billion. What does the Legislative Analyst, Mac Taylor, want to do to cure the problem? A 5% income tax increase. I … Continue reading →

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The Real Winners at the World Series of Poker

Posted on November 11, 2008 by Russ

This year’s World Series of Poker concluded early this morning at the Rio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. The winner of the main event won $9,152,416 but would he actually end up with all that money? This year’s winner … Continue reading →

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And They’re Born Every Day…

Posted on November 9, 2008 by Russ

Two tales of Bozo tax preparers came out at week’s end, and both come from Denver. First, Kennedy Oduro liked to make sure his customers got refunds. He invented false deductions and credits, and saved his clients $283,000 in 2003 … Continue reading →

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