Author Archives: Russ

Math Is Hard, IRS Addition

Posted on March 3, 2016 by Russ

This time I couldn’t resist. A client received an IRS CP2000 notice. This is an Automated Underreporting Unit (AUR) notice, designed to look for things such as matching errors. In this case, a client didn’t include his dividend income on … Continue reading →

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The Most Terrifying Words in the English Language Strike Again

Posted on March 2, 2016 by Russ

One of my favorite quotes is from President Ronald Reagan: The most terrifying words in the English language are: I’m from the government and I’m here to help. Yet another instance of this appears to be striking with the IRS. … Continue reading →

Posted in IRS | Tagged | 1 Comment

Frivolity Has a Price: $19,837.50

Posted on February 29, 2016 by Russ

The Tax Court doesn’t like frivolous arguments by petitioners. Indeed, if you bring a frivolous argument to Tax Court you can be fined up to $25,000. But what happens when an attorney deliberately pushes a frivolous argument for his clients? … Continue reading →

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Iowa Legislature Attacking EAs

Posted on February 29, 2016 by Russ

I’m exaggerating a bit, but I’m not happy when I find myself and my colleagues treated as second-class citizens. And that’s may become the case in Iowa. There’s a proposal in the Iowa legislature to regulate tax professionals. CPAs are … Continue reading →

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Math Is Hard, IRS Edition

Posted on February 28, 2016 by Russ

I was so, so tempted to write, “Math Is Hard, IRS Addition,” but I held off. Why? Because it turns out that it wasn’t 104,000 people who were victimized in last year’s “Get Transcript” hack, nor was it 334,000 taxpayers. … Continue reading →

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Mr. Trump Has Trouble With the Truth

Posted on February 28, 2016 by Russ

Presidential candidate Donald Trump has stated that he cannot release his tax records because he’s under audit. He’s wrong. His tax records are his own, he can post them on billboards, websites, or anywhere else he’d like to. As the … Continue reading →

Posted in IRS | Tagged | 1 Comment

Where I Became the “Messenger of Doom” (My Final Comments on Turf Rebates)

Posted on February 21, 2016 by Russ

One of my friends coined my current nickname, the “Messenger of Doom.” It had to do with a year where he made a lot money, and then I gave him the bad news that he had only made about half … Continue reading →

Posted in California | Tagged | 3 Comments

Board of Equalization Excoriated for Ignoring the Law and Binding Precedents

Posted on February 16, 2016 by Russ

My thanks to Dan Walters of the Sacramento Bee for pointing out a California case where the California Board of Equalization (yet another California tax agency; this agency administers sales and use tax) was rightly excoriated. Dan Walters begins: However, … Continue reading →

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North Carolina Added to Bad States for Gamblers

Posted on February 13, 2016 by Russ

North Carolina changed its tax law over a year ago. While I have professional gambling clients in North Carolina, I do not currently have amateur gambling clients. It’s likely I won’t be getting many of those, as North Carolina legislators … Continue reading →

Posted in Gambling, North Carolina | 5 Comments

Phishers Target Tax Professionals

Posted on February 11, 2016 by Russ

I received the following email today: From: [redacted] [differentname@mail.csuchico.edu] Sent: Thu 2/11/2016 3:06 PM To: undisclosed-recipients: Hi, I and my Family are looking for a very Qualified CPA in your area. Please let us know if you can be available … Continue reading →

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