The TurboTax Defense Bites the Dust
[Guest post by DRJ]
TaxProfBlog has the bad news — Timothy Geithner’s TurboTax defense doesn’t work for an average taxpayer:
“The Tax Court yesterday rejected a taxpayer’s attempt to use the TurboTax defense successfully employed by Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner. Hopson v. Commissioner, T.C. Summ. Op. 2009-130 (Aug. 25, 2009)”
The link includes an excerpt from the Court’s opinion that taxpayers are “not permitted to bury their heads in the sand and ignore their obligation to ensure that their tax return accurately reflected their income.”
Now we know where Geithner’s head is.
– DRJ
Lobbiests for living, breathing, accountants across the land will be pleased.
Comment by DCSCA — 8/26/2009 @ 12:54 pm
This one made me laugh. Thank you, DRJ.
Comment by JD — 8/26/2009 @ 12:58 pm
It’s lobbyists.
Comment by Official Internet Data Office — 8/26/2009 @ 12:59 pm
Reliance on a tax preparation system doesn’t excuse you from paying your taxes, but it
does get you a federal appointment from the
Obama administration.
Comment by rochf — 8/26/2009 @ 1:16 pm
Obama’s White House staff is the lobbiest evah.
Comment by kaf — 8/26/2009 @ 1:19 pm
Leave International Man of Parody alone. He didn’t stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.
Comment by JD — 8/26/2009 @ 1:26 pm
That’s not where I think it is, but it would be fitting punishment if there was some sand there.
Comment by Old Coot — 8/26/2009 @ 1:34 pm
Historical Fact of the Day:
The term “lobbyist” goes back to the U.S. Grant administration. Grant liked hanging out in the lobby of the Wilard hotel, and when job-seekers found out, they started hanging out there, too.
Grant himself is sometimes given credit for coining the term.
Comment by JayC — 8/26/2009 @ 1:46 pm
Well if Timothy Geithner’s TurboTax defense doesn’t work he can always try the Chewbacca defense.
Comment by Richard — 8/26/2009 @ 1:56 pm
Never understood the defense anyway. TT asks you the questions & you answer. Just like a preparer is supposed to. If you withhold info you’re on your own.
Comment by cassandra in MT — 8/26/2009 @ 2:01 pm
Poor sap should have made clear to the judge that he was a Democrat
Comment by tmac — 8/26/2009 @ 2:17 pm
Now we know where Geithner’s head is.
Not sure that’s ‘exactly’ where his head is. I suspect the location is more of the dark, dank, and odiferous type.
Comment by Bill M — 8/26/2009 @ 5:29 pm
“No one is above the law” seems only to work for Republicans. It is really amazing the lack of shame some of these clowns have.
Comment by Kevin Murphy — 8/26/2009 @ 7:36 pm
“Now we know where Geithner’s head is.”
Well, if he’s got sand on his head, it must mean he’s sitting down.
Comment by Sean P — 8/26/2009 @ 8:39 pm
[...] (H/T – DRJ) [...]
Pingback by No Runny Eggs » Blog Archive » The rules are for thee, not for me – TurboTaxTimmy edition — 8/27/2009 @ 9:14 am
So what the court is saying is, ignorance is not an excuse…..unless you’re a politician.
Typical.
Comment by Iliinoisvoter — 8/29/2009 @ 7:23 am