Author Archives: Russ

Online Gambling Addresses Updated for 2015

Posted on March 5, 2015 by Russ

NOTE: This list has been superseded by the 2016 list. With the United States v. Hom decision, we must again file an FBAR for foreign online gambling sites. An FBAR (Form 114) is required if your aggregate balance exceeds $10,000 … Continue reading →

Posted in Gambling | 3 Comments

IRS Proposes Session Method for Slot Machine Play and a Revision to the Regulations on Gambling Information Returns

Posted on March 3, 2015 by Russ

This morning the IRS proposed a new Revenue Procedure for individual taxpayers to determine wagering (gambling) gains and losses from slot machine play. Additionally, the IRS proposed an update to the regulations on information returns for gambling from slot machines. … Continue reading →

Posted in Gambling | 1 Comment

Don’t Call Us

Posted on March 2, 2015 by Russ

Today I attempted to call the IRS Practitioner Priority Service (PPS). I had an outstanding issue I needed to resolve. I didn’t get through. I’m used to being on hold for two hours when calling the IRS. Unfortunately, the IRS … Continue reading →

Posted in IRS | Tagged | 3 Comments

It Was the Sisterly Thing To Do

Posted on March 1, 2015 by Russ

Three Wisconsin sisters allegedly decided that tax fraud and identity theft should stay in the family. They’ve been accused of filing 2,000 phony returns by the Wisconsin Department of Revenue. The Staten sisters (Sharon, Tawanda, and Angela) face 22, 28, … Continue reading →

Posted in Tax Fraud | Tagged | 1 Comment

Correctly Dealing with Tip Income

Posted on March 1, 2015 by Russ

Las Vegas is full of service workers, of course. With many of the world’s largest hotels and casinos in Sin City, there’s an army of workers to man the facilities. Last week, the Tax Court looked at a bartender that … Continue reading →

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10 = 2500 ?

Posted on February 25, 2015 by Russ

Of course ten doesn’t equal 2,500. However, in the brave new world of the United States Postal Service it does. On Monday, I mailed a Tax Organizer to a client here in Las Vegas; she’s about ten miles from where … Continue reading →

Posted in Taxable Talk | Tagged | 1 Comment

Taxes Impacting the Giants

Posted on February 24, 2015 by Russ

The San Francisco Giants have been one of baseball’s more successful teams; they’re the current world champions. But they haven’t been as freewheeling in spending money as other teams. Their General Manager blames California taxes. The top tax rate for … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Illinois | Tagged | 1 Comment

“Ripping Off Your Refunds” In the Miami Herald

Posted on February 22, 2015 by Russ

There is an excellent article in the Miami Herald on the identity theft tax fraud crisis. The epicenter of this is South Florida (as noted in the article). I don’t have much to add to the frustrations of victims with … Continue reading →

Posted in Florida, Tax Fraud | Tagged | 1 Comment

Solely a Way to Go to ClubFed

Posted on February 22, 2015 by Russ

Until I became a tax professional I had never heard of a “Corporation Sole.” It’s a legal entity consisting of a single incorporated office, occupied by a single person. It’s a corporate structure used mainly for religions organizations so that … Continue reading →

Posted in Tax Fraud | Tagged | 1 Comment

Oops Gets Bigger

Posted on February 20, 2015 by Russ

Or, first California, now the United States. Last week I reported on Cover California’s error impacting an estimated 100,000 individuals who received incorrect Form 1095-A’s. It turns out that was just the tip of the iceberg. As reported by AP: … Continue reading →

Posted in IRS | Tagged | Comments Off on Oops Gets Bigger