Some of the Most Amazing Tax Deductions Ever
At GROCO, we have been doing this for more than 50 years. That means we’ve heard just about every crazy tax story you can imagine. With tax season now officially in full swing we thought we would share some of the craziest tax deduction stories we’ve ever heard; and they’re all true.
A gas station owner gave away free beer at his gas station. At tax time he put all the expense for the beer on his tax return as a business expense. He told the IRS he was trying to entice new customers to pull in and fill up, which was actually a way to promote his business. The IRS agreed.
A couple managing some rental properties decided that they didn’t have enough time to drive around a mountain pass to visit all their homes. The couple decided to buy a private jet instead, so they could see their homes much quicker. They said it should be allowed as a deduction because it saved them so much time. The IRS agreed with them and said it should be allowed as a normal, ordinary and necessary business expense.
Another couple, which owned a junkyard bought a large supply of cat food and then claimed the purchase as a deduction. They said they needed to use the food to attract stray cats. Why, because they needed the cats to keep the rat and snake populations under control.
The best part about all of these stories is that they really happened and the IRS really let these people take these crazy deductions. There’s no question that these taxpayers knew how to milk the system. Want to hear some more crazy tax deduction tales? Just click here.
Rising prices make inflation-protected securities more attractive
Rising prices make inflation-protected securities more attractive High oil and gasoline prices combined with trouble in the Middle East, saber-rattling by North Korea, and a slowing housing market have many investors worried anew about inflation. Inflation is an ugly creature; when it spins out of control, it can quickly erase gains built up over years…
India Gets Help From the IRS to Track Down So-Called “Black Money”
India Gets Help From the IRS to Track Down So-Called “Black Money” We’re all aware of the U.S. government’s efforts to bring home tax dollars from those who either hold or earn money in foreign countries. Whether a company or an individual taxpayer is open about their money or purposely trying to hide it, the…
Strategic Asset Management With a Revocable Living Trust
Strategic Asset Management With a Revocable Living Trust Developing a sound investment management strategy is more than allocating assets and diversifying among the various asset classes. It is also about attaining your financial goals in life. The long-term security of your family is likely to be a key goal. To reach it, you want to…
A Safer Way to Invest in Stocks
A Safer Way to Invest in Stocks Investing in stocks can be really risky—particularly when somebody invests a lot of money at once and expects quick results. But it’s also true that investing in stocks can be surprisingly safe for certain investors. The men and women who are putting regular amounts into stock funds through…