Author Archives: Russ

Thievery and Cheating on Taxes

Posted on April 1, 2005 by Russ

Sometimes you just can’t win. Indeed, for local attorney Albert M. Graham, he was faced with a dilemma. His bookkeeper embezzled money from him. And that bookkeeper was the one who aided in your keeping of income away from the … Continue reading →

Posted in Tax Fraud | Comments Off on Thievery and Cheating on Taxes

They’re Alive, THEY’RE ALIVE!!!!

Posted on March 31, 2005 by Russ

By the thousands, by the tens of thousands, by the, well, you get the idea, Orange County has been invaded. The invader is Vanessa Cardui, the Painted Lady Butterfly. While the sun is shining (and it’s been shining a lot … Continue reading →

Posted in Taxable Talk | Comments Off on They’re Alive, THEY’RE ALIVE!!!!

$312 Billion (and counting)

Posted on March 30, 2005 by Russ

According to this story in the Boston Globe, the US’s “tax gap” is between $312 billion and $353 billion for individuals (not corporations). This gap consists of underreporting of income, underpayment of taxes, and nonfilers. While the IRS’s enforcement efforts … Continue reading →

Posted in IRS | Comments Off on $312 Billion (and counting)

Tsunami: California Complies

Posted on March 22, 2005 by Russ

California has passed (and the Governator has signed) SB50, a law allowing tsunami-related charity donations made in January 2005 to be taken on your 2004 tax returns. The same conditions that apply to donations on the Federal (US) tax returns … Continue reading →

Posted in California | Comments Off on Tsunami: California Complies

Unorthodox Attorney’s Method: Don’t Pay the IRS

Posted on March 22, 2005 by Russ

The San Francisco Chronicle reports that J. Tony Serra, a criminal defense attorney, has been charged for “at least the third time” with failure to pay federal income taxes. He’s expected to plead guilty to at least one of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Tax Fraud | 6 Comments

Un-Amnesty

Posted on March 16, 2005 by Russ

California currently has a tax amnesty program. It has a little carrot and a BIG stick. If you haven’t filed (or are otherwise delinquent) for a tax year before 2003, you can file an amnesty application by March 31st; you … Continue reading →

Posted in California | Comments Off on Un-Amnesty

If We Can’t Win, Let’s Change the Rules

Posted on March 15, 2005 by Russ

On the Federal level, the Democrats in the Senate want to filibuster President Bush’s judicial nominees. Whether the Democrats in the Senate like it (or not), there’s nothing in the Constitution saying that you can filibuster appointments. The Democrats are … Continue reading →

Posted in Legislation | Comments Off on If We Can’t Win, Let’s Change the Rules

Richard Hatch: CBS Should Have Withheld Taxes

Posted on March 13, 2005 by Russ

When we last left Richard Hatch, the $1 million winner from Survivor who didn’t pay his income taxes, he withdrew his plea of guilty. He now claims, in an interview with AP, that CBS should have withheld his taxes because … Continue reading →

Posted in Tax Evasion | Tagged | 6 Comments

The Disneyland Impact

Posted on March 9, 2005 by Russ

According to the Daily News, Disneyland brings $3.6 billion annually to the local economy. This story details the positive impact of the theme park: $1.62 billion to Orange County (45% of the impact). That mouse brings in a lot of … Continue reading →

Posted in California | Comments Off on The Disneyland Impact

Hatch Backs Away From Plea

Posted on March 9, 2005 by Russ

While I was on the East Coast, Richard Hatch backed off from pleading guilty to tax fraud. Hatch, who won $1 million on Survivor, allegedly did not declare his prize on his tax return. The government has dismissed the charges, … Continue reading →

Posted in Tax Evasion | Tagged | Comments Off on Hatch Backs Away From Plea