Category Archives: Tax Preparation

Bozo Tax Tip #9: Only Income Earned in the US Is Taxable

Posted on April 7, 2007 by Russ

This is definitely an issue I’m aware of because of my practice areas. I deal with plenty of individuals who earn their living while residing abroad or through foreign sources of income. “It’s tax exempt, isn’t it?” They’re not happy … Continue reading →

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Problems at Jackson Hewitt

Posted on April 5, 2007 by Russ

Many taxpayers use chains such as H&R Block or Jackson Hewitt to prepare their returns. One Jackson Hewitt franchisee is in trouble having been accused of multiple charges of tax fraud. The IRS alleges that 125 Jackson Hewitt stores in … Continue reading →

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Bozo Tax Tip #10: Deduct the Dog

Posted on April 5, 2007 by Russ

With just twelve days until Tax Day, it’s time to present our annual list of things not to do. All of the items on this list have been done by bozo taxpayers. Some have been successful while others have had, … Continue reading →

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You Get Your Money’s Worth

Posted on April 5, 2006 by Russ

The Government Accountability Office (formerly known as the General Accounting Office) (GAO) released a study yesterday titled, “Paid Tax Return Preparers: In a Limited Study, Chain Preparers Made Serious Errors.” The study was also mentioned in today’s Wall Street Journal … Continue reading →

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People Who Live In Glass Houses…

Posted on February 25, 2006 by Russ

Do you remember when Intuit and H&R Block sued each other? Well, H&R Block now has some egg on their face. H&R Block admitted that they made some miscalculations on their own tax returns. They were only off by $32 … Continue reading →

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H&R Block v. Intuit

Posted on January 17, 2006 by Russ

While driving this past week, I heard a radio commercial for Intuit’s TurboTax, stating that more returns were prepared on TurboTax than by H&R Block. Well, not so fast, says Block. The Kansas City based Block filed a lawsuit against … Continue reading →

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Should All Tax Preparers be Regulated?

Posted on December 21, 2005 by Russ

Wait a second. Aren’t tax preparers regulated? Well, sort of. All tax preparers fall under the aegis of Circular 230. If your tax preparer is an Enrolled Agent (EA) (what I am), a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), or an attorney, … Continue reading →

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Where Paper Filing is Simpler than Electronic Filing

Posted on December 4, 2005 by Russ

Come late January or early February, you may have to file your 1099s with the IRS. If you are in California, you likely believe that filing with the IRS satisfies your California filing requirement. If you paper file, that’s true. … Continue reading →

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RALs, and Why They’re Bad

Posted on February 9, 2005 by Russ

I don’t often agree with Bill Lockyer, California’s Attorney General, but I absolutely agree with his view of RALs (Refund Anticipation Loans). These are available from tax preparers and allow you to get your refund “instantly.” There’s only one problem … Continue reading →

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