Author Archives: Russ

Shades of Wetsern Tax Service

Posted on March 17, 2006 by Russ

Out of the news and into my email inbox this afternoon comes word that a Bell Buckle, TN woman and a Florida couple have been charged with preparing tax returns with phony deductions, causing unwarrented refunds to taxpayers in the … Continue reading →

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It’s Not a Frivolous Court

Posted on March 15, 2006 by Russ

…But they were phony arguments. Roy Stallard went before the Tax Court before. In Stallard v. Commissioner (T.C. Memo 1992-593), he was fined $8,000 for making frivolous arguments. Fast forward a few years. Mr. Stallard again finds himself in Tax … Continue reading →

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Reiner Digs Hole for Himself; Has He Dug One for Prop 82?

Posted on March 15, 2006 by Russ

Proposition 82, the pre-school/tax increase/help Las Vegas, Phoenix and Denver Initiative, continues to have support at the polls here in the Golden State. Rob Reiner, who wrote the initiative, continues to find himself in a hole. Yesterday Reiner held a … Continue reading →

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Phish Got to Swim….

Posted on March 14, 2006 by Russ

A couple of weeks ago, I noted that phishers have started targeting people by claiming that you can receive a small tax refund. Just click on their link (to a phony IRS website), give out your information, and we’ll get … Continue reading →

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Increase Casino Tax Rates Or Increase Casinos?

Posted on March 13, 2006 by Russ

That was the decision Iowa was faced with after the Iowa Supreme Court ruled that tax rates at race track (horse racing) casinos were unconstitutional in 2004. Today, Iowa is in the midst of a casino building boom, with four … Continue reading →

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Atlanta’s Ex-Mayor Convicted of Tax Evasion, Acquitted of RICO Violation

Posted on March 11, 2006 by Russ

William Campbell, the former mayor of Atlanta, was convicted yesterday of three counts of tax evasion but acquitted on the more serious RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act) charges. The trial ended a seven-year investigation of corruption in Atlanta … Continue reading →

Posted in Tax Evasion | Tagged | 4 Comments

There’s Corruption in New Jersey? I’m Shocked!

Posted on March 10, 2006 by Russ

Well, not really. >From the Newark Star-Ledger comes word that the New Jersey Director of Taxation, Robert Thompson, Deputy Director Harold Fox (no relation), and Assistant Director for Compliance David Gavin have been suspended. The New Jersey Commission of Investigation … Continue reading →

Posted in New Jersey | 1 Comment

California LLC Gross Receipts Tax Unconstitutional But…

Posted on March 9, 2006 by Russ

And it’s a big but. Thanks to the TaxProfBlog and Roth Tax Updates for giving me the tip on a case decided in San Francisco, Northwest Energetic Services v. Franchise Tax Board. Northwest, a Washington State LLC, sued to recover … Continue reading →

Posted in California | 5 Comments

Shades of Western Tax Service

Posted on March 7, 2006 by Russ

In Maryland, a certified accountant was arrested on tax fraud charges. Allegedly, he inflated deductions, and inflated his tax preparation charges. He apparently used some of the $300,000 his scheme raised to buy property. Story: Baltimore Sun

Posted in Tax Fraud | 1 Comment

Vote Early and Often, Redux

Posted on March 4, 2006 by Russ

For those of you (like me) who voted last December in the election to replace Chris Cox as Congressman, it’s just about time to vote on his replacement. John Campbell was the State Senator for the 35th District (Irvine and … Continue reading →

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