Author Archives: Russ

Fail, Caesar! An Update

Posted on January 21, 2016 by Russ

It’s been just over a year since Caesars Entertainment Operating Company (CEOC) declared bankruptcy. If Caesars Management was hoping that the court-appointed examiner would be giving them good news, and that the company would be coming out of bankruptcy unscathed, … Continue reading →

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Texas Attorney General: DFS Illegal in Texas

Posted on January 19, 2016 by Russ

Texas’s Attorney General, Ken Paxton, issued an opinion today that says that daily fantasy sports (DFS) is illegal under Texas law. The crux of Mr. Paxton’s argument is, Under section 47.02 of the Penal Code, a person commits an offense … Continue reading →

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Efiling Opens, But…

Posted on January 19, 2016 by Russ

…It’s likely you can’t file yet. Today the IRS sent out a “QuickAlert for Tax Professionals.” They stated, “Authorized IRS e-file Providers must not submit electronic returns to the IRS prior to the receipt of all Forms W-2, W-2G, and … Continue reading →

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Same as Last Year Doesn’t Work

Posted on January 18, 2016 by Russ

Robert Flach has a post today where he notes the information that’s needed to prepare a tax return. I don’t have much to add to his excellent list (though I do need to see your W-2Gs, too). If you’re one … Continue reading →

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Those “Extra Services” Were Great for Business

Posted on January 17, 2016 by Russ

Tips are one of those things that are done for many services. When we go out to eat, we normally leave a tip for the servers. I tip when I get my hair cut. A Denver massage parlor owner had … Continue reading →

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Lawsuit Filed Over BOE’s Fixer-Upper

Posted on January 17, 2016 by Russ

I’ve reported on California’s Board of Equalization headquarters building in Sacramento on two occasions. It seems some employees of the BOE aren’t happy at all, and have filed a lawsuit against the BOE alleging that the agency has known for … Continue reading →

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Wasting Away in HPVille

Posted on January 11, 2016 by Russ

Today was the day my new computer was to have been encrypted. But some things aren’t meant to be: Thanks @hp. You knew that your encryption software on some @hp computers would cause an OS crash requiring a rebuild of … Continue reading →

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Fraudster Tries Alchemy; Will Have 20 Years to Think That Over

Posted on January 10, 2016 by Russ

I have a degree in chemical engineering. As an undergraduate, I did research into the catalyzed production of methane (CH4) from graphite (Carbon, C) and Hydrogen (H2) using potassium hydroxide (KOH) as a catalyst. That was real chemistry. Alchemy is … Continue reading →

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1099 Time for 2016

Posted on January 10, 2016 by Russ

It’s time for businesses to send out their annual information returns. These are the Form 1099s that are sent to to vendors when required. Let’s look first at who does not have to receive 1099s: Corporations (except attorneys) Entities you … Continue reading →

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Substance Over Form

Posted on January 7, 2016 by Russ

The Tax Court looked today at a worker in Hollywood. He thought he was a contractor; the IRS felt he was an employee. Who was correct? Our favorite judge of the Tax Court, Judge Mark Holmes, authored the opinion so … Continue reading →

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