If our practice is any indication, tax refund fraud from identity theft likely skyrocketed so far in 2014. Last year the IRS reported around $4 billion in suspected refund fraud. I suspect that number could triple. Last year we had less than a handful of returns rejected because the social security number was previously used to file a return for the year. I am not talking about dependent being claimed by the other parent or spouse who didn’t change the name type rejects, I am talking about the ‘someone stole and used the number to file a return’ type problem.
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Some projects – like finding the right merger partner – take a long time to bear fruit
After three years of effort, we finally were able to acquire another local practice. A hopefully continuing friend of mine, Mari DeVries, has one of the most successful audit firms in Southern Arizona. Her practice and ours were merged on May 1st and our offices will officially join at some point later this year. Mari will take over the audit lead and I will work on other development projects. My most immediate goal, besides finishing a large backlog of work, is recruiting staff. We have six slots to fill and I have offers accepted for only three. I expect to close the next two shortly. If I can locate one more tax staff, life will be good. In many ways, it already is.
After a long day during tax season, it’s good to come home to a cool fort.
Modern day work-at-home set up
Getting to work at home – On the right is my work laptop with second screen. I would like to use the home PC (larger screen on left), but couldn’t get it to connect to the server remotely. My ultrabook can connect. So I set that up and was ready to go. Helps to have two machines so that I can pull up multiple instances of engagement without having to switch between binders and have three screens.
Wonders of spring
To scrape or not to scrape
I find it difficult to come up with ideas to blog about and even more difficult to produce a post when I do. I’ve noticed that many blog/web sites ‘scrape’ content from other sites and re-post. Continue reading
In a word – benign
Nicholas had good doctor’s visit today – more follow-up to come, but a we can sleep a little better tonight.

