When a taxpayer disagrees with the IRS auditor’s determination, the IRS assigns the matter to an appeals officer. This is a second, new IRS employee that the taxpayer can negotiate Read more »
Blog
Alimony Not Tax-Deductible If Spouse Has To Sue To Collect
It’s satisfying when tax law actually does the right thing morally – such as providing a strong financial incentive to pay spousal support on time. Here’s an example. David and Read more »
Transferring a Limited Partnership Interest
A client called me with a strange problem. He and his brother had inherited real property in Nevada. Because the brother was less than fully-functional, the client held his brother’s Read more »
The IRS *Never* Calls First
One of my clients has several years of unfiled tax returns. Like many people with several years of unfiled tax returns, he’s been putting off working with me. So I Read more »
Wells Fargo: Worst Bank Ever? Part IV…
I’m cheered to see that others out there share my opinion of Wells Fargo Bank. For my prior screeds against this bank, see here, here, and here. My rants against Wells Fargo may soon Read more >>
Tales From the Tax Troll Trenches: Tax Refund Majorly “Stuck”
When the IRS and the California state tax agencies do particularly bone-headed things, it’s time for another tale from the tax troll trenches. Here’s one that reminded me of why the Read more »
I Don’t Do Magic
I don’t do magic (despite owning four bunnies that I could pull out of a hat). I say this because I occasionally have a client who has heard of a legal maneuver to solve her problem, yet is too good to be true. Read more >>
Hawkins vs. FTB Changes Tax Evasion Standard
If the government can prove that you “willfully attempted in any manner” to “evade or defeat” a tax, then you cannot discharge that tax debt in bankruptcy. 11 U.S.C. 523(a)(1)(c). Read more >>
Wells Fargo: Paid ME for Their Incompetence
I took a client through a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, and got her a discharge. She and I were done, and she had no more personal debt. Then she sought a loan modification Read more >>
Wells Fargo: Freezes Accounts of People in Bankruptcy
If you have more than $5,000 in your Wells Fargo checking account when you file a bankruptcy petition, be prepared. Wells Fargo will freeze your account until the bankruptcy trustee tells them it’s okay Read more >>