Category Archives: IRS

Form 8300 and Poker

Posted on June 17, 2015 by Russ

I’ve posted before on staking, but someone asked me the following question: I’m a professional [poker player] and am going to be staked for the High Roller One Drop Tournament [a $111,111 buy-in tournament]. I’m going to be handed the … Continue reading →

Posted in Gambling, IRS | 1 Comment

The BEA Responds, or Making IRS Customer Service Look Normal (Bad)

Posted on June 2, 2015 by Russ

On Sunday I penned the post, “Making IRS Customer Service Look Good.” I now need to take that back. Why? I was greeted at 7am this morning by a phone call from an analyst from the Bureau of Economic Affairs. … Continue reading →

Posted in BEA, IRS | 1 Comment

IRS “Get Transcript” Application Hacked; 104,000 Tax Returns Illegally Accessed

Posted on May 26, 2015 by Russ

This afternoon IRS Commissioner John Koskinen announced that criminals were able to use the IRS “Get Transcript” application to access approximately 104,000 tax returns. (An additional 100,000 or so attempts were unsuccessful.) From the Wall Street Journal: Thieves used the … Continue reading →

Posted in IRS | Tagged | 4 Comments

730

Posted on May 10, 2015 by Russ

It’s a topic that, frankly, bores the media. It’s a topic that the current Administration would love to go away. It’s a topic that should never have arisen. It’s a topic that underlies the current crisis that impacts the IRS. … Continue reading →

Posted in IRS | Tagged | 2 Comments

Not All Private Delivery Services Are Equal

Posted on May 6, 2015 by Russ

Back when I was getting my MBA I did a team project about a California company that offers private delivery services in just Southern California. They were competing against FedEx, and they built a regional network. Recently I received an … Continue reading →

Posted in IRS | Tagged | 1 Comment

Don’t Call Us Continues

Posted on April 22, 2015 by Russ

Back in the 1970s Saturday Night Live had this sketch of Lily Tomlin reprising her role as Ernestine the phone company operator (from Laugh-In): That’s how I feel about calling the IRS. I have three matters I need to get … Continue reading →

Posted in IRS | Tagged | 1 Comment

Bozo Tax Tip #1: Let Your IRS Notice Age Like Fine Wine!

Posted on April 12, 2015 by Russ

My brother is a wine connoisseur. As all my friends know, I’m anything but a wine aficionado. But I have learned one difference between fine wine and a notice from the IRS: Wine can age very well but IRS notices … Continue reading →

Posted in IRS | Tagged | 1 Comment

Bozo Tax Tip #2: The Eternal Hobby Loss

Posted on April 9, 2015 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 →

Posted in IRS | Tagged | 1 Comment

Bozo Tax Tip #3: Just Don’t File

Posted on April 8, 2015 by Russ

We’re running some repeats, but there is some new Bozo material coming. It’s just that people keep trying the same things over and over again. It’s tough to avoid the tax system. There are currency transaction reports (cash transactions of … Continue reading →

Posted in IRS | Tagged | 1 Comment

Bozo Tax Tip #4: Procrastinate!

Posted on April 8, 2015 by Russ

Today is April 8th. The tax deadline is just seven days away. What happens if you wake up and it’s April 15, 2015, and you can’t file your tax? File an extension. Download Form 4868, make an estimate of what … Continue reading →

Posted in IRS | Tagged | 1 Comment