Reforming the Tax Code – Not!

As you can imagine in my 12 years at the helm of Accounting Today, stories that were tax-centric in nature surfaced a time or two. 
 

We covered tax cuts, tax bills, tax avoidance schemes, prison terms for violators and what appeared to be every reader’s favorite – stories of celebrity tax troubles.

Fraud Comes In All Shapes and Sizes

A number of years ago, I remember reading about how a small cadre of science geeks used their way-above average IQs to “game” a significant number of arcades in the Northeast.

This legion of Intel Award winner hopefuls, no doubt clad in ill-fitting chinos, baggy cardigans and soiled pocket protectors, ventured into a local office supplies store, purchased a ream of paper as close to U.S. Treasury grade as legally allowed. They then walked over to the copy machine, plopped a $5 bill on the glass and proceeded to Xerox hundreds of actual sized Lincolns.

"Don't Worry Dear, Our 201(k) is Doing Fine!"

With each passing payday I feel a stronger  kindred spirit with Al Bundy - the browbeaten and underachieving character of Married With Children fame - holding up crisp dollar bills in an outstretched hand as each family member helps themselves to their bi-weekly largesse, whether deserved or otherwise.

His Scariest Writing Yet

Don’t get me wrong, I’m a Stephen King fan.

I, along with millions of other theater-goers, levitated when the supposedly dead Carrie reached through to ground to grab a mourner at graveside during a bizarre dream sequence. And a year later, I may have broken Olympic records for the in-seat high-jump when a crazed Jack Nicholson smashed through the bathroom door with an ax in “The Shining,” in an attempt to turn his family into steak cubes.

A "Taxing" Flight Delay

I often wonder how  residents of  say  Missouri  and Oklahoma  would  react if their respective state governments implemented an income tax of roughly 9 percent  as a reward for funneling more of their paychecks to the state coffers, were rewarded with pothole-laden roads and crumbling bridges long overdue for repair, both of which brazenly commanded  $6.50 tolls.

Can anyone spell R-I-O-T?

I say welcome to life in New York.

Have We Got A Deal For You...

During my formative years, I  was not what you would call a natural born salesman.

For example, I was the only Cub Scout in my troop who actually owed money when given my annual candy consignment to sell door to door. When the troop switched to marketing light bulbs, I sold two packs-  one to my parents and the other to my grandmother, whom as I remember, was still using oil lamps.

A number of other potential prospects threatened me with an order of protection if I ever rang their doorbells again.

Ethics For Dummies

Take a moment if you will to answer this basic question.

A sweet, elderly lady comes into your business and mistakenly overpays for a $10 purchase by giving you $100. Now, do you or do you not tell your partner?