Author Archives: Russ

Bozo Tax Tip #6: Nevada Corporations

As we continue with our Bozo Tax Tips–things you absolutely, positively shouldn’t do but somewhere someone will try anyway–it’s time for an old favorite. Given the business and regulatory climate in California, lots of businesses are trying to escape taxes … Continue reading

Posted in California, Nevada | 1 Comment

Bozo Tax Tip #7: Be Suspicious!

As I write this (in March), I just got off the phone with one of my clients. He’s had a very good year, and has $100,000 in cash to deposit. He had been keeping the money as cash because he … Continue reading

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IRS Website and Electronic Services Down

I have been trying to get into two different IRS websites since midday yesterday but can’t. It appears that the IRS may be a victim of a DDOS (distributed denial of service) attack or there website simply has gone down. … Continue reading

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Bozo Tax Tip #8: Be Frivolous!

I’d love to be frivolous during tax season. But the inbox is full, the piles of paper don’t go anywhere unless I move them, and my next day off is April 16th. I can get a good laugh when I … Continue reading

Posted in IRS | 1 Comment

Bozo Tax Tip #9: 300 Million Witnesses Can’t Be Right!

For tax bloggers like myself, Richard Hatch has been a godsend. His antics have been, well, remarkable. While he’s no longer at the top of my Bozo Tax Tips, his story is one that prospective tax offenders should learn. I … Continue reading

Posted in Tax Evasion | Tagged | 1 Comment

Bozo Tax Tip #10: Email Your Social Security Number

It’s time for our annual rundown of Bozo Tax Tips, strategies that you really, really, really shouldn’t try. But somewhere, somehow, someone will try these. Don’t say I didn’t warn you! This is a repeat from last year, but it’s … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

A Break in my Hiatus: Poker Chips and Tax Evasion

When my friend Steve Evans posted a link to a story about Chipco’s president being arrested on tax evasion, that got my attention. Chipco was a Maine-based company that made high-quality poker chips. Many of the local casino here in … Continue reading

Posted in Tax Evasion | 2 Comments

Annual Blog Hiatus

It’s been a busy Tax Season already, and it shows no signs of letting up. That means it’s time for my annual blog hiatus. You needn’t worry if you’re waiting for my annual Bozo Tax Tips; they’ve already been written … Continue reading

Posted in Taxable Talk | 1 Comment

Foreign Earned Income Exclusion Gets a Vegas Preparer in Hot Water

I prepare quite a few returns with the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion. The Exclusion allows bona fide residents of a foreign country or individuals who are outside of the United States for 330 days out of a 365-consecutive day period … Continue reading

Posted in Tax Fraud | 2 Comments

Gilbert Hyatt Loses in Federal Court

A federal court in Sacramento ruled against inventor Gilbert Hyatt last week. Mr. Hyatt is involved in a 22-year old battle with California’s Franchise Tax Board (the state’s income tax agency). This all stems over when Mr. Hyatt moved to … Continue reading

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