Author Archives: Russ

Would the Proprietors of “I Married an Idiot” Commit Tax Fraud?

Sometimes you can’t make this stuff up. Perhaps you missed the website imarriedanidiot.com. The website is down, but thanks to the Internet Archive it will continue to be accessible. I’ll leave it to the reader to peruse the web site. … Continue reading

Posted in Tax Fraud | 1 Comment

IRS Clarifies Electronic Signature Requirements

The IRS released a new version of Publication 1345 today (html version only is available for now). Included in it is the following: Note: An electronic signature via remote transaction does not include handwritten signatures on Forms 8878 or 8879 … Continue reading

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The Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Upcoming Tax Season

If you’re a tax professional here’s a warning: The 2015 Tax Season will be one you’re almost certain to remember for all the wrong reasons. If you’re a client of a tax professional be forewarned: Your tax professional will be … Continue reading

Posted in IRS | Tagged | 4 Comments

London Calling: The Real Winners of the 2014 World Series of Poker

Nine individuals came to Las Vegas on Monday and Tuesday to compete for the championship at the World Series of Poker (WSOP). Who would be the lucky winner? And who really got to keep the money? You will notice a … Continue reading

Posted in Gambling | 1 Comment

Since the Dead Vote, Why Can’t They Get Tax Exemptions?

I grew up in Chicago. It’s legendary in Chicago that the dead vote. My father told me that during the 1960 presidential election that Democrats waited to see how many of the dead they needed to vote to ensure that … Continue reading

Posted in Illinois, Property Taxes | 1 Comment

Alabama Trying Pop Quizzes to Prevent Identity Theft Refunds

An AP Story notes that states are also trying to crack down on identity theft tax refunds. Alabama will be trying pop quizzes. No, not the pop quizzes you had in school but questions related to your identity (e.g. Did … Continue reading

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Nevada Goes Deep Red

Do you remember 1928? Well, that was the last time Nevada had a Republican governor, a Republican State Assembly, a Republican State Senate, and Republicans holding all major statewide offices. Well, 2015 will see that. As part of the tsunami … Continue reading

Posted in Nevada | 1 Comment

Math Is Hard (Tax Court Edition)

One of my favorite sayings at the poker table is, “Math is hard.” Yesterday, the Tax Court explained some basic math to a petitioner who almost completely struck out. Eugene Kernan didn’t file tax returns since sometime before 2000. Eventually … Continue reading

Posted in Tax Court | 1 Comment

Perhaps She’ll Cover the Guilty Plea in the Second Edition

Perhaps we should have known this was going to happen. Her book, The Prosperity Principles: Secrets to Developing and Maintaining Generational Wealth, notes that business should be run, “…where everything you can do can be deducted from your reportable income … Continue reading

Posted in Arizona, Tax Evasion | 1 Comment

Happy Nevada Day, Especially If You’re a Performer at a Gentleman’s Club

Today is Nevada Day! Exactly 150 years ago Nevada was admitted as a state. The Nevada Supreme Court yesterday ruled on a case that may make this day more celebratory for workers at adult entertainment facilities (strip clubs). Several performers … Continue reading

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