Author Archives: Russ

If at First You Fail…

Posted on May 15, 2005 by Russ

Fail, fail again. Yes, I know that’s supposed to be “try, try again.” But for this story, “fail, fail again” is so much more appropriate. >From the Baltimore Sun we have the story of John Baptist Kotmair, Jr. Back in … Continue reading →

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A New (Generally Dumb) Rule

Posted on May 14, 2005 by Russ

Here’s some text you will be seeing if you get any emails from your EA or CPA (and will probably be in every tax article you read): This opinion is limited to the one or more Federal tax issues addressed … Continue reading →

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A SuperSeminar

Posted on May 14, 2005 by Russ

This past week I attended the CSEA’s SuperSeminar in Las Vegas. Normally, continuing education seminars are dreadful events—dates on my calendar that I want to avoid. This one was very different. I learned a whole bunch of new things (which … Continue reading →

Posted in Taxable Talk | 2 Comments

Not So Brilliant Ideas (Part 2)

Posted on May 7, 2005 by Russ

Maybe it’s something in the water. But somehow we must look again to what is now apparently the hotbed of tax evasion: Cincinnati, Ohio. A federal jury in Cincinnati found “expert” tax preparer Walter Daulton guilty of assisting in the … Continue reading →

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Not So Brilliant Ideas…

Posted on May 7, 2005 by Russ

A man in Cincinnati, OH came up with a great idea (or so he thought). He decided to sell income tax evasion kits. Somehow the IRS and the Department of Justice didn’t think it was a great idea. Yeah, they’re … Continue reading →

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Firemen 1, Police 0

Posted on May 1, 2005 by Russ

Orange County Firefighters won their first court battle over an initiative (assuming no court losses, it will be on the June 2006 ballot) that would distribute about $80 million in taxes to firefighters that currently go to the Orange County … Continue reading →

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“I Say Yes, You Say No…”

Posted on May 1, 2005 by Russ

The IRS recently ruled that bonds, in order to be tax free, must be for “essential government functions” only. Bonds to help in the building of an Indian casino resort (at Fantasy Springs Casino near Palm Springs) didn’t make the … Continue reading →

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IRS Flunks Audit

Posted on April 28, 2005 by Russ

>From the TaxProf Blog, a Washington Post story shows that the IRS spends 60% of its funds for a tuition reimbursement program on administrative expenses. That’s 40% for tuition reimbursement. The IRS, of course, reminds us taxpayers that “Charities scams … Continue reading →

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San Diego’s Mayor Resigns

Posted on April 25, 2005 by Russ

Dick Murphy, mayor of San Diego, announced that he is resigning effective July 15th. His resignation is a direct result of San Diego’s abysmal financial condition, as I noted earlier.

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The IRS Can Tell The Difference Between $14,885 and $200,000

Posted on April 24, 2005 by Russ

Suppose you’re in court testifying in a civil case. You’re asked what your income is. You tell the truth (of course, you’re under oath) that you make $200,000. No problem, right? Unless your tax return says you made $14,885. And … Continue reading →

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