Author Archives: Russ

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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State Senate Majority Leader Drops Support for Prop. 82

Posted on March 3, 2006 by Russ

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, State Senator Don Perata (D-Oakland) has dropped his support of Rob Reiner’s Proposition 82, the mandatory preschool/increase income tax/Help Arizona, Nevada, and Colorado Initiative, because it was too expensive. Perata noted that the estimated … Continue reading →

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Spend the $4.50….

Posted on March 2, 2006 by Russ

When I send out a tax return to a client, and it has to be mailed to a tax agency, I always state, in my letter, “mail, using certified mail, return receipt requested….” Joe Kristan of Roth Tax Updates today … Continue reading →

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Another Hobby Loss

Posted on March 1, 2006 by Russ

In a recent unpublished opinion, the Eighth Circuit looked at a hobby loss case, Montagne v. Commissioner. One of the points we continually make is to document, document, document. The Montagnes had a horse-breeding “business,” but the Tax Court ruled … Continue reading →

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