Author Archives: Russ

The Law Isn’t Fair, But You Have to Pay the Tax

A California couple received an Advance Premium Tax Credit (part of the “Affordable Care Act,” aka ObamaCare). Through bureaucratic errors at Covered California, they’re unable to change their plan once they’re both employed to stop the credit, nor do they … Continue reading

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IRS Gives Tax Relief to Victims of Hurricane Harvey

The IRS announced today that they are granting residents of parts of Texas additional time to file certain individual and business tax returns and make some payments; the extension is until January 31, 2018. This relief currently applies for 18 … Continue reading

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The IRS Is Coming! The IRS is Coming!

As first reported by Bob McKenzie this morning, the IRS has purchased software to help them identify Bitcoin transactions. The IRS is reportedly using a product from Chainalysis, Inc., a New York-based supplier of products used to analyze Bitcoin activity. … Continue reading

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Taxes When a Cryptocurrency Splits Into Two

The IRS ruled that cryptocurrencies are treated as property (like stocks and bonds). What happens when a cryptocurrency splits into two separate cryptocurrencies? Let’s start with the analogous situation with a stock. Suppose Acme Industries, Inc. spins off its subsidiary, … Continue reading

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On Tulips and Bitcoins

When I was in junior high school, I remember being taught about the 17th century tulip mania. Tulips in 1637 cost more than a house! That was a bubble (though some economists think there may have been rational explanations, let’s … Continue reading

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IRS E-Services Outage Postponed…Again

Back in June the IRS was going to do a major update of their E-Services (what tax professionals, software developers, and return transmitters use to access IRS computer systems). That update was postponed. Last month the IRS announced that the … Continue reading

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Did I Prepare 5% of the Tax Returns with Bitcoin in 2015?

The IRS is attempting to force Coinbase to disgorge a list of its customers who have traded Bitcoins. Back in March, an IRS agent, as part of attempting to enforce its summons against Coinbase, stated that there were only 802 … Continue reading

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Vacation

It’s time for my annual vacation. If something earth-shattering in the tax world happens while I’m relaxing, I’ll take time out to post on it. Otherwise, enjoy the fine bloggers listed in the blogroll on the right. I’ll be back … Continue reading

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Here’s a Step-by-Step Manual of How to Go to Prison for Taxes

Do note that I absolutely, positively, do not recommend you follow the procedures done below. But if you want to go to ClubFed for a tax crime, it’s a superb illustration. You start a home health care business. (The business … Continue reading

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The 2017 Real Winners at the World Series of Poker (London Calling, Again)

The main event of the World Series of Poker has completed: 7,221 ponied up $10,000 to enter. The final nine players began competing on Thursday; last night the winner was crowned. How much of his winnings does he get to … Continue reading

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