Author Archives: Russ

IRS to Open Tax Season on Monday, January 28th

Posted on January 8, 2019 by Russ

The IRS announced yesterday that the 2019 Tax Season will begin on Monday, January 28th: Despite the government shutdown, the Internal Revenue Service today confirmed that it will process tax returns beginning January 28, 2019 and provide refunds to taxpayers … Continue reading →

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Tax Refunds May Be Issued During Government Shutdown

Posted on January 7, 2019 by Russ

Vice President Pence announced today that the IRS would issue tax refunds during the government shutdown. The Wall Street Journal reported this earlier today, but it’s unclear what the legal justification would be. Speculation (by the Journal) is that the … Continue reading →

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Gilbert Hyatt and the Franchise Tax Board Head Back to the Supreme Court…Again

Posted on January 6, 2019 by Russ

Back in 1993 (that is not a typographical error), California’s Franchise Tax Board (FTB) initiated a residency audit of Gilbert Hyatt. Mr. Hyatt invented some technology relating to microprocessors in 1990. In 1991 he realized he was going to receive … Continue reading →

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It’s Time to Start Your 2019 Mileage Log

Posted on January 4, 2019 by Russ

I’m going to start the new year with a couple reposts of essential information. Yes, you do need to keep a mileage log: Wednesday was the first business day of the new year for many. You may have resolved to … Continue reading →

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The 2018 Tax Offender of the Year

Posted on December 31, 2018 by Russ

Another year has gone by. And that means it’s once again time for that most prestigious of prestigious awards, the Tax Offender of the Year. As usual, there’s a plethora of nominees. As usual, I wish there weren’t any deserving … Continue reading →

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Taxes No Longer the Top Reason for Businesses Leaving California

Posted on December 24, 2018 by Russ

California: Good News! Your taxes, tops in the country, are no longer the top reason businesses are leaving the Bronze Golden State. It’s not that taxes have improved; rather, your laws and regulatory climate have exceeded taxes as the reason … Continue reading →

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Up In Smoke…Again

Posted on December 20, 2018 by Russ

Where there’s smoke, there’s fire. Where there’s a marijuana business, there’s Section 280E and the desire to find a means around it. The Tax Court looked at two cases today involving semi-legal marijuana dispensaries (legal on the state level, but … Continue reading →

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The Freedom of Information Act Doesn’t Allow Access to President Trump’s Tax Returns

Posted on December 19, 2018 by Russ

Section 6103(a) of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) mandates that tax returns shall be confidential. The Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) wanted a peak at President Trump’s tax returns; might there be income from Russia? They submitted a Freedom of … Continue reading →

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Hug Your Tax Professional, or The Upcoming Horrible, Miserable, Rotten, and Delayed Tax Season

Posted on December 12, 2018 by Russ

A question I’ve been asked many times this month: When will the 2019 Tax Season (for filing 2018 tax returns) open? The answer I’ve given is, “I don’t know.” Normally by now the IRS has released the date. As of … Continue reading →

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Nominations Due for Tax Offender of the Year

Posted on December 12, 2018 by Russ

In a little less than a month it will be time to reveal this year’s winner of the prestigious “Tax Offender of the Year” award. Remember, To be considered for the Tax Offender of the Year award, the individual (or … Continue reading →

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