Author Archives: Russ

Fail, Caesar! Update

Posted on July 23, 2015 by Russ

Yesterday US Bankruptcy Judge Benjamin Goldgar ruled that various lawsuits against Caesars Entertainment can go forward. Caesars Entertainment Operating Company (CEOC) is already in bankruptcy; this ruling increases the chances that Caesars Entertainment Corporation (CEC) follows CEOC into Chapter 11. … Continue reading →

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They’ll Know It in Dubuque

Posted on July 19, 2015 by Russ

Perhaps someone will understand the reference in the title (it’s to one of my favorite novels). But this is a tale from Dubuque, Iowa about a scheme gone bad. James Spaulding was the director of the Clarke University Bookstore; he … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa, Tax Evasion | Comments Off on They’ll Know It in Dubuque

Yes, Illegal Income Is Taxable

Posted on July 19, 2015 by Russ

If you commit fraud do you have to report the illegal income on your tax return? Absolutely! Illegal income is just as taxable as legal income. Al Capone went to prison not for the murders and other crimes he committed … Continue reading →

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Where There’s Smoke…

Posted on July 12, 2015 by Russ

Martin Olive operates “The Vapor Room,” a medical marijuana dispensary in San Francisco. His business, a sole proprietorship, was audited by the IRS for 2004 and 2005. He lost. He took that case to Tax Court. Back in August 2012 … Continue reading →

Posted in Tax Court | Tagged | 1 Comment

The Operation Was a Success, but the Patient Died

Posted on July 7, 2015 by Russ

No, I’m not veering into medicine today. The title of this post is a homage to the title of a chapter in a book by the late Fred Karpin. Mr. Karpin was writing about doing everything right, but still having … Continue reading →

Posted in Tax Court | Tagged | Comments Off on The Operation Was a Success, but the Patient Died

State Financial Health: Alaska, Dakotas on Top, Illinois, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Connecticut on the Bottom

Posted on July 7, 2015 by Russ

The Mercatus Center at George Mason University released a study today ranking the 50 states on their financial health. Here are the top six states: 1. Alaska (8.26) 2. North Dakota (2.97) 3. South Dakota (2.84) 4. Nebraska (2.75) 5. … Continue reading →

Posted in Alaska, California, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, North Dakota, South Dakota | Comments Off on State Financial Health: Alaska, Dakotas on Top, Illinois, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Connecticut on the Bottom

State Taxes Matter, Lesson #21

Posted on July 5, 2015 by Russ

When does $108 million equal $80 million? When you’re leaving California and heading to Texas. DeAndre Jordan has been playing center for the Los Angeles Clippers of the National Basketball Association. Mr. Jordan just signed a free agent deal with … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Oregon, Texas | 1 Comment

Mr. Hyatt Goes to Washington…Again

Posted on June 30, 2015 by Russ

The saga of Gilbert Hyatt and the Franchise Tax Board, California’s income tax agency, continues. As you may remember, the Nevada Supreme Court ruled last September that the FTB committed fraud against Mr. Hyatt (false representation and intentional infliction of … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Supreme Court | Tagged | 1 Comment

Does a Nonresident Alien Spouse that Has Elected to be Treated as a US Person Need to File an FBAR?

Posted on June 29, 2015 by Russ

With the FBAR deadline upon us, an interesting question arose: Does a spouse covered by the §1.6013-6 regulation allowing a nonresident alien individual to be treated as a resident need to file an FBAR? Logic says no; the FBAR comes … Continue reading →

Posted in FINCEN, International | Tagged | 1 Comment

A Peabody, Massachusetts Tax Preparer Gives an Unwitting Endorsement for EFTPS

Posted on June 28, 2015 by Russ

Barry Ginsberg operated a payroll tax service in Peabody, Massachusetts (near Boston). He endorsed escrow accounts for his clients; they would send him the money for the payroll taxes and he, in turn, would pay them. Since I’m writing about … Continue reading →

Posted in Payroll Taxes, Tax Fraud | 1 Comment