Author Archives: Russ

Fixing the Match: Italian Tax Evasion

Posted on May 22, 2006 by Russ

I’m not a soccer fan. But if you are, the World Cup begins in just a couple of weeks. One of the favorites (based on what I’ve read) is Italy. But a scandal is clouding the picture. International football (soccer, … Continue reading →

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Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act of 2005

Posted on May 22, 2006 by Russ

That’s not a typo in the subject of this post. The tax bill that was signed last week by President Bush is titled “The Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act of 2005.” Apparently Congress didn’t look at a calendar…. Here … Continue reading →

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Fuel at SFO, Sales Tax in Oakland

Posted on May 21, 2006 by Russ

California’s sales tax rules, enforced by the Board of Equalization are far too complicated. Then throw in political shenanigans and you get…a lawsuit. San Francisco International Airport is located just south of the City by the Bay in San Mateo … Continue reading →

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Crime Blog

Posted on May 21, 2006 by Russ

There was lots of activity this week among scofflaws and other tax cheats. First, the operators of a Middle-Eastern restaurant have been accused of skimming $16 million in cash from La Shish restaurants and sending the money to Lebanon. One … Continue reading →

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Slots a Business, Says Minnesota Supreme Court

Posted on May 18, 2006 by Russ

The always vexing question of whether or not a gambler is a professional or an amateur was looked at this week by the Minnesota Supreme Court. In Busch v. Commissioner of Revenue (A05-656), Estelle Busch fought the Minnesota Department of … Continue reading →

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Creating Your Own Church Might Not Work

Posted on May 18, 2006 by Russ

Churches don’t generally pay income tax. They’re non profits in the true sense of the word. So why not create your own church? Take your salary, send it directly to the church (say, the Church of Russ), name yourself minister, … Continue reading →

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Survivor: Victorville Coming Soon

Posted on May 18, 2006 by Russ

Last night I drove home from Las Vegas and the CSEA’s SuperSeminar (well worth it, as usual; I’ll have more on the seminars later). As you head out of the high desert from Barstow on Interstate 15, you pass a … Continue reading →

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Tax Seminar Time

Posted on May 11, 2006 by Russ

For the next several days, I’ll be at the CSEA’s annual SuperSeminar; thus, updates will be infrequent at best. We’ll return next Wednesday or Thursday with more news and some information from what has in the past been an excellent … Continue reading →

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Governator: Use Extra Cash As Rainy Day Fund

Posted on May 11, 2006 by Russ

Perhaps the Governator reads Taxable Talk (though I doubt it). In any case, Governor Schwarzenegger will propose tomorrow to: Use $1.6 billion of the new revenues to retire debt; Use $1.6 billion for the reserve account; Use $2 billion to … Continue reading →

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Psychic Tax Evader Allegedly Commits Violence the Old-Fashioned Way

Posted on May 11, 2006 by Russ

You’d think that if you’re a psychic you’d be able to just will your way to violence—you wouldn’t have to throw any punches. Sadly, our tax evading psychic apparently threw plenty of punches at his wife. David Guardino of Cary, … Continue reading →

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