Category Archives: Tax Fraud

Maryland Suspends Processing Tax Returns from 23 Liberty Tax Service Locations

Posted on February 4, 2016 by Russ

Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot announced on Tuesday that he has suspended processing from 16 more Liberty Tax Service locations (bringing the total suspended to 23). The decision was made based on suspicious characteristics found on the returns: Business income reported … Continue reading →

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The Liberty to Commit Tax Fraud

Posted on January 31, 2016 by Russ

There are thousands of tax professionals. These range from the huge firms such as H&R Block to mom and pop outfits. The professionals range from Enrolled Agents, CPAs, and tax attorneys to those who have just put up a sign … Continue reading →

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Fraudster Tries Alchemy; Will Have 20 Years to Think That Over

Posted on January 10, 2016 by Russ

I have a degree in chemical engineering. As an undergraduate, I did research into the catalyzed production of methane (CH4) from graphite (Carbon, C) and Hydrogen (H2) using potassium hydroxide (KOH) as a catalyst. That was real chemistry. Alchemy is … Continue reading →

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2015 Tax Offender of the Year

Posted on December 30, 2015 by Russ

Once more it’s time to award that prestigious award, the 2015 Tax Offender of the Year. The winner of this award must do more than just cheat on his or her taxes. It has to be special; it really needs … Continue reading →

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Yet Another Reason Why Requiring Tax Professionals to Obtain a License Won’t Stop Tax Professionals from Behaving Badly

Posted on December 6, 2015 by Russ

In California, everyone who prepares a tax return for money must have a license. Individuals must either be an Enrolled Agent, a CPA, an attorney, or obtain a license from the California Tax Education Council. Of course, that means that … Continue reading →

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Don’t Go to Lawrence Siegel to Have Your Taxes Done

Posted on November 15, 2015 by Russ

There are good tax preparers, bad tax preparers, and then there’s Lawrence Seigel. Mr. Siegel, who resigned from the California bar in 1994 and lost his CPA license in 1997 after being convicted of tax evasion (among other crimes) also … Continue reading →

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Chaka Fattah, Jr. Guilty of Tax and Fraud Charges

Posted on November 8, 2015 by Russ

Chaka Fattah Jr., son of Democratic Congressman Chaka Fattah Sr. (D-PA), was found guilty on Friday of 22 of 23 tax and fraud charges. As the Department of Justice press release notes, Between 2005 and 2012, Fattah Jr.: made false … Continue reading →

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Over 1,100 Returns Filed from Two Addresses Lead to Two Heading to ClubFed

Posted on October 25, 2015 by Russ

Two separate cases out of Broward County, Florida highlight that if you submit lots of tax returns from the same address even the IRS will get suspicious. A former band director and another Floridian will be heading to ClubFed in … Continue reading →

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There Is No Magic OID Process

Posted on October 4, 2015 by Russ

One of my clients handed me a 1099-OID today. That’s income to him, duly noted on his now-filed tax return. A different individual decided to promote a very different OID plan, an “O.I.D. Process.” He’ll be spending nearly six years … Continue reading →

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Defalcations Send Randolph Scott to ClubFed

Posted on September 13, 2015 by Russ

When I hear the name Randolph Scott, I think of the late actor. He played leading men (generally heroes in Westerns) during his long and illustrious career. This Randolph Scott is anything but a hero. Randolph Scott of Doylestown, Pennsylvania … Continue reading →

Posted in Estate Tax, Tax Evasion, Tax Fraud | 2 Comments