Author Archives: Russ

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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IRS Errs on Identity Theft PIN Letters

Posted on January 5, 2016 by Russ

One would think that the IRS proofed important letters and notices before they’re finalized. That didn’t happen with IRS Notice CP 01A, the notice used when sending out an Identity Theft PIN (personal identification number). The IRS announcement is reproduced … Continue reading →

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My Day on Jury Duty

Posted on January 4, 2016 by Russ

Around Thanksgiving I received a summons for jury duty here in Las Vegas. I was asked to report on a day I had an Appeal scheduled (which had taken lots of negotiating to find a date that worked for everyone), … Continue reading →

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It’s Only Wrong by Three Days

Posted on January 3, 2016 by Russ

Friday’s Las Vegas Review-Journal included a free calendar (with a retail price of $2). Remember the cliche, “You get what you pay for”? Well, that was definitely the case with this free calendar. Highlighted on Friday, April 15 is “Tax … Continue reading →

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Yes, Start Your 2016 Mileage Log Now!

Posted on January 3, 2016 by Russ

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

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FTB Wins Gillette Appeal

Posted on January 1, 2016 by Russ

California’s Franchise Tax Board won the appeal of Gillette v. Franchise Tax Board. This opinion covers taxation of multi-state entities in California prior to 2012. Gillette (and several other companies) argued that the FTB’s weighing of the “sales” factor higher … Continue reading →

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