NINE WACKY TAX WRITE OFFS

Aww....the tax season is upon us and if you're like me, being self employed, I wait until the 15th to file.

I ran across these wacky tax write offs people have tried and in one case got away with it for years. The IRS always seems to eventually catch on.

• Using the dog as an dependent. I've thought about how great it would be if we could use our pets as write offs, after all they are part of the family ( in my case, anyway) and cost money.
• Sperm donor. Depletion allowance.
• Deducted a $10,000 *consultation fee* paid to an arsonist. They both are in jail.
• Cost of TV and cable. This would be everyone's dream. Throw satellite in there too.
• Ostrich. Only legal if for breeding.
• A livestock rancher from Texas listed 15 to 20 animals on his taxes as a breeding stock. He was audited and took his CPA with him to the audit. The IRS challenged the rancher with this question, *I presume you breed these animals?* *Nope* replied the rancher, sending his CPA into cardiac arrest. *I have a bull for that.*
• Dog food. Dog was used for security around the house, so it was an security expense. Again, it would be great to be able to do this. I think some laws need to be changed.
• Dentures fell in the toilet, taxpayer claimed them as an act-of-God causality loss.

Well, there you have it. At least, don't try these. You'll get caught!

HAPPY APRIL 15!!!!!