Author Archives: Russ

Be Careful What You Ask For

Posted on June 20, 2007 by Russ

I haven’t blogged about a tax protester case at the Tax Court in some time. But one was decided today that had several humorous elements—more than enough to make it ripe for reporting. Chester Davis didn’t file a 2001 tax … Continue reading →

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FBAR, SARs, and CTRs

Posted on June 20, 2007 by Russ

This morning I sat in on an IRS teleconference about Foreign Bank Account Reporting (FBAR), and the Treasury Department’s Form TD F 90-22.1. Last week, during my annual CSEA SuperSeminar continuing education program, this was also discussed. As I’ve mentioned … Continue reading →

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Flying Carpet Falls to Earth

Posted on June 17, 2007 by Russ

I’m often asked by clients about what they can put down on a tax return. I tell them that the US works on a voluntary-based income tax system. You can put down anything on a tax return. Of course, you … Continue reading →

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Selling Steroids = Tax Evasion

Posted on June 17, 2007 by Russ

Anabolic steroids are a controlled substance (generally illegal) in the United States. If you sell/distribute/traffic steroids, you can be arrested. One Houston, Texas dealer of steroids got lucky—or so he thought. He didn’t get arrested for distributing steroids. Instead, he … Continue reading →

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They Were on the Phone for 25 Hours Each Day

Posted on June 17, 2007 by Russ

And that’s not a typo in the title. The telephone excise tax refund got a few bozo tax preparers thinking (an oxymoron, of course), “If the government is going to hand out this money [usually $30 – $60] with little … Continue reading →

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The Other Shoe Drops

Posted on June 16, 2007 by Russ

I’ll have quite a few posts over the next few days, but something came across the wire tonight that deserves reporting (even in my tired state). The ultimate shoe collector, Imelda Marcos, was acquitted of tax evasion. Ms. Marcos, the … Continue reading →

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How Not to Cheat the System

Posted on June 9, 2007 by Russ

As I head for another week on the road (with limited posting–I’ll be at the CSEA SuperSeminar Monday through Wednesday and in Chicago next weekend), there’s more than enough fraud for an uber-post. We’ll start in Washington where it was … Continue reading →

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Bill Campbell Appeals

Posted on June 9, 2007 by Russ

The former mayor of Atlanta, Bill Campbell, appealed his conviction and sentence at the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. Campbell, who is now enjoying a stay at ClubFed’s Miami facility, didn’t make the trip to Atlanta for the appeal. The … Continue reading →

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New Math

Posted on June 9, 2007 by Russ

One of my favorite songs is Tom Lehrer’s New Math, where he notes, “It’s so simple, so very simple, that only a child can do it!” That’s what it must be like for the people in Sacramento counting the tax … Continue reading →

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Wesley Snipes: My Prosecution is Racially Motivated

Posted on June 9, 2007 by Russ

You remember Wesley Snipes, actor and alleged tax cheat? Mr. Snipes is accused of amended a tax return to get back all of his taxes because he bought into the idea that only foreign income is taxable. (Hint: All income … Continue reading →

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