You Be The Tax Judge: Ream v. Treasury
Can Congress ban home distilling to protect federal tax revenue? You be the Tax Judge in Ream v. Treasury, a real case involving whiskey, taxes, and constitutional power.
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A Look at the (Very) Unpopular Federal Gas Tax
We are feeling the pain at the pump. According to AAA, the national average gas price is $3.498. A year ago, it was $2.507. And the price of gas isn’t the only thing that’s going up. Americans are feeling the impact of record inflation, which is reportedly costing the average household an additional $276 per…
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Justice and the Tax Trial of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King Jr. faced tax evasion charges in Alabama in 1960. His acquittal—and the lawyers who defended him—offer a powerful lesson about justice.
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Bill To Decriminalize Marijuana For Federal Purposes Passes House
As more and more states legalize marijuana, pressure has been growing for Congress to take some action. This week, the House passed legislation that would end the federal ban on marijuana. The Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act (MORE Act) garnered support from both sides of the aisle, passing with a 228-164 vote in the…
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Al Capone On His Way To Jail In 1931 After Bragging: They Can’t Collect Legal Taxes From Illegal Money
On this day in 1931, Al Capone was found guilty of tax evasion. The gangster who had reportedly boasted, “They can’t collect legal taxes from illegal money” was sentenced to 11 years in prison for failing to file tax returns. Alphonse Gabriel Capone was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1899, to Italian immigrants. His…
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Court Orders ‘Historic’ Moonshine To Be Destroyed
“I drunk his liquor,” said one potential juror. “And honestly, I really like moonshine,” said another. The jury selection in a 2018 trial in western North Carolina was proving to be complicated. On paper, the matter appeared straightforward. A woman called 9-1-1 when her husband attempted to kill himself. Responders to the scene found marijuana…
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12 Facts About Labor Day And Taxes
Chances are that you are spending today gathered around a grill or trying to soak in some sun. Labor Day weekend is considered summer’s last hurrah and ushers in fall and, including, in areas like mine, the beginning of the school year. (You can read more about the tie-in to the school year and Labor…
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Taxes From A To Z 2020: X Is For X Tax
It’s my annual Taxes from A to Z series! If you’re wondering how to figure basis for cryptocurrency or whether you can claim home office expenses during COVID, you won’t want to miss a single letter. X is for X Tax. Yes, there really is an X tax. And while it sounds like something developed…
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Cuomo’s Comments On Rules Requiring Bars To Serve Food Have Some Crying ‘Fowl’
This week, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo had restaurant owners calling “fowl” on new rules requiring bars to serve food with their drinks. The New York State Liquor Authority (NYSLA) issued guidance making clear that, “Pursuant to Executive Order 202.52, effective Friday July 17, 2020, all licensed establishments with on premises privileges (e.g. restaurants, taverns, manufacturers with…
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Justice And The Tax Trial Of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
More than 50 years ago, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a leader in the civil rights movement, was on the receiving end of repeated harassment by tax authorities. Inquiries into Dr. King’s finances were not new: He was investigated in two separate states (Georgia and Alabama) on numerous occasions and together with his legal team…
