Author Archives: Russ

Bozo IRS Agent Busted

Bohdan Senyszyn worked for the IRS in Paterson, New Jersey. He audited mid to large-sized businesses. Mr. Senyszyn also holds a CPA license. Then things went wrong. In 1992, Mr. Senyszyn agreed to help a New Jersey real estate developer … Continue reading

Posted in IRS, Tax Fraud | Comments Off on Bozo IRS Agent Busted

2.75% or 30.6%?

I’m a native of Chicago. It’s a great city, and has every kind of attraction you can think of. It’s also the home to the best baseball team in the world (unfortunately, they usually don’t have a good record). But … Continue reading

Posted in Illinois, Sales Tax | Tagged | 1 Comment

Another One Bites the Dust

Back in 2005 I wrote about Derivium Capital. They were under investigation by the IRS & FTB for making loans that converted capital gains to nothing! for tax purposes. A great scheme, if you can get away with it. Well, … Continue reading

Posted in Tax Fraud | Tagged | 1 Comment

Air Snipes Grounded

Wesley Snipes lost his latest battle in federal court this past week. He had asked that his trial be moved from Ocala, Florida, to New York City. Snipes is accused of attempting to obtain a fraudulent $12 million tax refund. … Continue reading

Posted in Tax Evasion | Tagged | Comments Off on Air Snipes Grounded

Studying Abroad, Taxes, and Poker

A reader asks, “I’m currently studying in undergraduate university in the U.S., where I hold my only citizenship. I was thinking about studying abroad, probably in Australia. I was thinking about going from around Jan.1-December 31st of 2009, or from … Continue reading

Posted in Gambling | Comments Off on Studying Abroad, Taxes, and Poker

Lots of Fraud

Tax fraud comes in many shapes and forms. This weekend has given me a plethora of examples. We’ll start in Dayton, Ohio. Martin Dorf found an interesting way to short the IRS: Report ten cents on the dollar. From 2001 … Continue reading

Posted in Tax Fraud | Comments Off on Lots of Fraud

Termination of “Tax Termination Kit”

Wouldn’t it be nice if we could buy a $39.95 package that would terminate our taxes? Tax protester Robert Schulz offered just such a package…until the US government got an injunction against him. But the IRS had this idea. Wouldn’t … Continue reading

Posted in Tax Fraud | Tagged | Comments Off on Termination of “Tax Termination Kit”

When Gambling Isn’t A Business

A CPA likes to gamble, and shows his gambling activity as a second business (his other business activity is his accounting practice). The IRS challenges this, claiming that he’s really an amateur gambler. The Tax Court has to decide who … Continue reading

Posted in Gambling | Comments Off on When Gambling Isn’t A Business

If You Sell $6.5 Million of Property, Someone May Notice

When you sell your home (assuming it’s your principle residence), you get to exclude the first $250,000 of income ($500,000 if you’re married and filing a joint return). That’s a nice tax break. But if you sell investment property, you … Continue reading

Posted in Tax Evasion | Comments Off on If You Sell $6.5 Million of Property, Someone May Notice

AB1546: Eliminating Taxpayer Rights

The California Legislature is currently looking at AB1546. The initial goal of this legislation was to make the LLC “fee” (tax) legal. This fee is based on gross receipts. As I wrote last year, courts ruled twice last year that … Continue reading

Posted in California | Comments Off on AB1546: Eliminating Taxpayer Rights