Author Archives: Russ

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 →

Posted in California | Comments Off on Mandated Health Care in California’s Future?

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 →

Posted in New Jersey, Tax Evasion | Comments Off on Fraud in the Swamplands

Definitely Not in Vogue

Posted on December 16, 2006 by Russ

Two months ago I wrote about the owner of Club Vogue (a strip club) in Columbia, Missouri. James Andrew Yaeger, the owner, paid his lap dancers in cash, and didn’t report the income. He got caught, and is looking at … Continue reading →

Posted in Tax Evasion | Tagged | Comments Off on Definitely Not in Vogue

A Bit More Fraud

Posted on December 14, 2006 by Russ

While I was in Palm Springs there was more fraud and evasion. In New York, an operator of a trucking company pleaded guilty to evading federal taxes to the tune of $2.5 million. Anthony Guido, of Pelham, New York, took … Continue reading →

Posted in Tax Evasion | Comments Off on A Bit More Fraud

Off the Deep End

Posted on December 14, 2006 by Russ

Mike Finneran was the head diving coach for North Carolina State University. College athletics pays reasonably well, even for a “minor” sport such as diving; Mr. Finneran made between $60,000 and $180,000 a year. However, that’s not what he allegedly … Continue reading →

Posted in Tax Evasion | Comments Off on Off the Deep End

First Property Tax Payment Due Today

Posted on December 11, 2006 by Russ

Just a reminder that the first installment of property taxes for Californians must be postmarked today. Alternatively, most County Assessor/Treasurer offices will remain open late for you to make payments.

Posted in California, Property Taxes | Comments Off on First Property Tax Payment Due Today

On the Road Again

Posted on December 10, 2006 by Russ

I’m hitting the road again tomorrow, heading to Valencia and then to Palm Springs. Posting will be light to nonexistent until Thursday.

Posted in Taxable Talk | Comments Off on On the Road Again

The New York Times Mentions Taxing Virtual Worlds

Posted on December 10, 2006 by Russ

This morning’s New York Times has a brief piece on taxing income producing transactions of virtual worlds. The Times notes that a precedent does exist for taxing such activities: barter. Indeed, back in the 1970s the IRS implemented regulations on … Continue reading →

Posted in IRS | Tagged | Comments Off on The New York Times Mentions Taxing Virtual Worlds

Hatch Appeals

Posted on December 10, 2006 by Russ

Richard Hatch, the Survivor winner who is now a convicted tax offender, has formally appealed his conviction from earlier this year. The Associated Press reports that Hatch caught the producers of Survivor cheating (they allegedly gave food to other contestants); … Continue reading →

Posted in Tax Evasion | Tagged | Comments Off on Hatch Appeals

Murphy’s Law

Posted on December 8, 2006 by Russ

The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals today ruled on the appeal of Glen Murphy, a Wisconsin Chiropractor, who had earlier been convicted of seven counts of filing false tax returns and three counts of not filing tax returns. After being … Continue reading →

Posted in Tax Fraud | Comments Off on Murphy’s Law