Author Archives: Russ

Snipes Trial: Week One Recap

Posted on January 20, 2008 by Russ

If you believe Robert Barnes, one of the attorneys for Wesley Snipes, the first week of Snipes’ trial went well. Mr. Barnes told the Ocala Star-Banner, “I think what they [jurors] saw was that Mr. Snipes openly, honestly engaged the … Continue reading →

Posted in Tax Evasion | Tagged | Comments Off on Snipes Trial: Week One Recap

Some Fraud to Digest

Posted on January 20, 2008 by Russ

There’s been plenty of tax fraud activity besides Wesley Snipes over the past few days. Here are some of the more interesting cases. From Las Vegas comes the case of a truly Bozo plan. Keith Carthon created some phony W-2s, … Continue reading →

Posted in Tax Fraud | Comments Off on Some Fraud to Digest

The Snipes Case Is Starting to Look Like the Hatch Case

Posted on January 18, 2008 by Russ

Remember Richard Hatch, the Survivor winner who decided not to report his $1 million in winnings? Mr. Hatch, who is now residing at ClubFed, went to his accountant and was told he had to pay taxes on his winnings. He … Continue reading →

Posted in Tax Evasion | Tagged | Comments Off on The Snipes Case Is Starting to Look Like the Hatch Case

All Your Thermostats Are Not Belong To Us

Posted on January 17, 2008 by Russ

Even bureaucrats can eventually be persuaded that a stupid idea is stupid. The California Energy Commission announced on Tuesday that they are dropping the requirements for radio-controlled thermostats from the Title 24 regulations. The public outcry was fairly intense; it … Continue reading →

Posted in California | Tagged | Comments Off on All Your Thermostats Are Not Belong To Us

The Trial Begins

Posted on January 16, 2008 by Russ

Opening arguments were heard in Ocala, Florida in the trial of Wesley Snipes. Prosecutors called Snipes a tax evader, and that he didn’t pay $35 million in taxes from 1999-2004 according to this Fox News story. Prosecutor Robert O’Neill told … Continue reading →

Posted in Tax Evasion | Tagged | Comments Off on The Trial Begins

Proposition 93: Term Limits

Posted on January 15, 2008 by Russ

Proposition 93 on California’s February 5th ballot would change the current term limits structure. While it would lessen the overall amount of time a politician could stay in office, it would lengthen the amount of time one could spend in … Continue reading →

Posted in California | Comments Off on Proposition 93: Term Limits

Snipes: Day 1

Posted on January 14, 2008 by Russ

Day 1 of the Wesley Snipes trial has come and gone in Ocala, Florida. Jury selection began but did not conclude today. The day began for Mr. Snipes in a prayer service. At an Ocala church Mr. Snipes was joined … Continue reading →

Posted in Tax Evasion | Tagged | Comments Off on Snipes: Day 1

IRS Releases a Not-So Frivolous Announcement

Posted on January 14, 2008 by Russ

Every year the IRS releases a list of positions that will be considered frivolous under Section 6702 of the Internal Revenue Code. Today, the IRS issued Notice 2008-14. There are some new positions that will be considered frivolous: (9)g. The … Continue reading →

Posted in IRS | Comments Off on IRS Releases a Not-So Frivolous Announcement

It Begins

Posted on January 14, 2008 by Russ

Wesley Snipes goes on trial today, facing charges of tax evasion, failing to file tax returns, and filing a false claim for an income tax refund. The TaxProf Blog has a post with links to the various media coverage of … Continue reading →

Posted in Tax Evasion | Tagged | Comments Off on It Begins

A Typo on Schedule CA

Posted on January 13, 2008 by Russ

There’s a typographical error on Schedule CA for Form 540. This is the form used by Californians to adjust their income and deductions from their federal tax returns to California’s. The form mailed to California residents has an incorrect reference … Continue reading →

Posted in California | Comments Off on A Typo on Schedule CA