Category Archives: IRS

Bozo Tax Tip #1: Not Remitting Payroll Taxes

Posted on April 11, 2025 by Russ

A couple of years ago, I received a visit from a member of the IRS’s Criminal Investigation unit.  It turns out a client, call him Larry, had worked for a company that decided to not remit payroll taxes.  The loss … Continue reading →

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Bozo Tax Tip #2: The Eternal Hobby Loss

Posted on April 10, 2025 by Russ

The goal of must businesses is to make money. There aren’t many businesses that can lose on each sale and make it up in volume. In fact, I don’t know of any. But I digress…. So let’s take Sam and … Continue reading →

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Bozo Tax Tip #3: Foreign Trusts

Posted on April 9, 2025 by Russ

By far the worst tax schemes in the view of the IRS are offshore (foreign) trusts. In fact, trusts of all sorts—domestic and foreign—are regularly abused. First, not all trusts are bad. Many trusts serve a legitimate purpose, such as … Continue reading →

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Bozo Tax Tip #5: Procrastinate!

Posted on April 7, 2025 by Russ

Today is April 7th. The tax deadline is just eight days away. What happens if you wake up and it’s April 15, 2025, and you can’t file your tax? File an extension. Download Form 4868, make an estimate of what … Continue reading →

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Bozo Tax Tip #6: Declare More Income Than You Earned!

Posted on April 4, 2025 by Russ

Why in the world would anyone of sound mind and body declare more income than they actually earned? He or she would owe more tax, so there’s no reason to do this, right? No, there are actually two reasons people … Continue reading →

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Bozo Tax Tip #7: Honey, You Don’t Exist!

Posted on April 3, 2025 by Russ

Last week, I finished the tax return of a long-time client (call him John Smith).  We were on the phone reviewing his return and he mentioned his wife.  He was filing his 2024 tax return as “Single.”  After I congratulated … Continue reading →

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Bozo Tax Tip #10: Email You Social Security Number, ITIN, or EIN!

Posted on March 31, 2025 by Russ

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 for the twelfth year in … Continue reading →

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How Many Months Are There in a Year?

Posted on February 5, 2025 by Russ

When you were a child you learned that a minute has 60 seconds, an hour has 60 minutes, a day has 24 hours, a month has 28 to 31 days, and that there are 12 months in a year.  Believe … Continue reading →

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Personal Tax Return Filings to Begin on January 27th

Posted on January 10, 2025 by Russ

The IRS announced today that, as expected, efiling of tax returns will begin on Monday, January 27th.  Individual tax returns are due on Tuesday, April 15th. We strongly advise efiling your tax returns (if possible), and we also strongly advise … Continue reading →

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The 2024 Tax Offender of the Year

Posted on December 30, 2024 by Russ

One year, perhaps, there won’t be so many nominees for my annual Tax Offender of the Year award…but this isn’t the year.  We even have a repeat nominee (and I strongly considered giving that nominee the award).  As a reminder, … Continue reading →

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