Author Archives: Russ

Health Care for All…But at What Cost?

Posted on January 9, 2007 by Russ

The Governator announced his health care vision yesterday. You can find a good summary of it here. The plan would mandate that all Californians have health insurance, and the state would mandate what would and wouldn’t be covered. The plan … Continue reading →

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Bah, Humbug

Posted on January 7, 2007 by Russ

You own a Christmas tree lot, and it’s December 26th. What do you do with your leftover trees? Well, it’s time to throw them away…but not for one lot owner near Fresno. No, they’re not hazardous waste. Rather, the Board … Continue reading →

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Prosecutors to Court: Reject Hatch’s Appeal

Posted on January 6, 2007 by Russ

The U.S. Attorney’s Office replied to Richard Hatch’s appeal on Friday. Hatch, the former Survivor winner who didn’t pay his taxes on his $1 million prize, recently filed an appeal of his conviction. Hatch, in his appeal, alleged that he … Continue reading →

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A Big Whoops in Wisconsin

Posted on January 3, 2007 by Russ

Within a couple of weeks, taxpayers around the country will be receiving their tax packages in the mail from the IRS and their state (and local) tax agencies. Taxpayers in Wisconsin will get a special surprise: their social security numbers … Continue reading →

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Did John Doe Lead to California’s Budget Surplus?

Posted on January 2, 2007 by Russ

Dan Waters, columnist for the Sacramento Bee, reports today that he’s been told that one individual paid the Franchise Tax Board $200 million in back taxes under California’s amnesty program last year. An examination of California’s budget shows that the … Continue reading →

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Hello, 2007

Posted on January 1, 2007 by Russ

Happy New Year, everyone. Hopefully this year will see at least one of the following: (a) no tax rate increase [1]; (b) simplification of the Tax Code [2]; (c) no mandatory California health care coverage for all [3]; and/or (d) … Continue reading →

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Murphy Undone

Posted on December 26, 2006 by Russ

Thanks to Paul Caron of the TaxProf Blog for letting us know that the D.C. Circuit has vacated the Murphy decision. The Murphy case was the one that said that the 16th Amendment made unconstitutional taxes on the recovery of … Continue reading →

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The IRS Shoots Itself in the Feet

Posted on December 26, 2006 by Russ

The Tax Court today once again had to look at the case of Raymond Wright. Back in 2002 Mr. Wright’s case had been reviewed by the Tax Court; the case was then appealed to the Second Circuit and remanded back … Continue reading →

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Mandated Health Care in California’s Future?

Posted on December 20, 2006 by Russ

State Senator Don Perata would like all Californians to have health insurance. Having everyone covered isn’t a bad idea. Senator Perata would do this by mandating that all businesses provide health insurance for their employees (with minimum coverage guarantees), or … Continue reading →

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Fraud in the Swamplands

Posted on December 20, 2006 by Russ

If you’re going to submit phony tax returns, it’s a good idea to vary the names you use. Even poorly run tax agencies might catch on if they receive several hundred refund checks from the same address. That bring us … Continue reading →

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