The first million-dollar winner of Survivor – and convicted tax evader – Richard Hatch has asked a federal judge to let him leave the country. Hatch, who was convicted in 2006 of tax evasion charges, is serving the end of his sentence at home in Rhode Island. That creates a problem for his plans to…
It’s Fix the Tax Code Friday! News reports continue to focus on the death of Michael Jackson, his memorial, and his funeral. Enormous amounts of public resources have been dedicated to policing the memorial service, keeping Jackson’s family away from the press, and investigating Jackson’s “alleged” drug use. Comparisons have been drawn to other public…
Taxpayer asks: My husband and I have a 4 yr old daughter diagnosed with autism (higher functioning). We are considering enrolling her in a private preschool that has a program specifically designed to help children with autism, something the public school system cannot offer. The yearly tuition is $22,000. Can any of this be tax…
First, the good news: the memorial service for Michael Jackson did not cost the City of Los Angeles the $4 million originally reported. Now, the bad news: the service still cost the City more than $1 million. Initial reports put the cost of additional security and trash pick up for the private event at $1.4…
In an effort to fund their massive health care plan, members of Congress are scrambling to find revenue. After searching under their car seats and sofa cushions for extra change, they have basically admitted that the well is simply dry. And that proposal to tax employer-provided health care benefits? It’s just not picking up enough…
One of my recent “ask the taxgirl” questions involved whether Michael Jackson’s funeral expenses were deductible. When I paused to consider whether I wanted to post about Michael, a colleague kindly offered to address the issue on his blog at sofloridaestateplanning.com. The blog is authored by David Shulman, an attorney located in South Florida who…
Taxpayer asks: I was going to leave a comment on your post this morning but it’s more of a question. Is it true that the Swiss do not have a military? I ask because I thought that all of these countries that losing tax money to the Swiss are the ones that spend money to…
As it turns out, the Swiss do have a little fight left in them after all. The Swiss government has now advised that it would seize financial records from UBS rather than allow them to be turned over to the US. The Swiss Department of Justice and Police filed a statement in federal court advising…
Taxpayer asks: I must say I enjoy reading your blog! A somewhat tax professional myself (I deal in state taxes), I am constantly asked Federal Tax questions and use your blog as an aid! So here’s my question: Would purchasing a home, via taking over the payments, qualify for the New Home Buyer tax credit?…
John P. Karoly, Jr., a successful and flamboyant Pennsylvania lawyer, may well have said goodbye to his career this week. As previously blogged, Karoly Jr. was indicted on a number of charges including one count of mail fraud, three counts of failing to report taxable income on his federal income tax returns, one count of…