The Sex of a Hippopotamus: A Unique History of Taxes and Accounting

By Jay Starkman

Who says taxes and accounting are dull and boring? This remarkable book weaves entertaining and educational stories on how American and world history have been influenced and molded by the not-so-well-known history of taxes. Unique, quirky, interlaced with personal accounts, and always enlightening, consider a few of the amazing tax stories that have involved some of our best-known leaders and celebrities: Martin Luther King survived a six-day jury trial, avoiding prison for underpaying his income tax by $318.81. Prior to 1933, U.S. presidents were exempt from paying income tax. President Franklin Roosevelt saved Congressman Lyndon Johnson from prison for criminal tax fraud. Sixty years ago, the IRS was so corrupt that if you didn't offer the IRS agent a bribe, he might shake you down for one. Abolish the IRS? Andrew Jackson actually did so. But it came back 28 years later. Al Capone was just one of many Americans with notorious tax problems. Lesser tax problems faced Alan Jay Lerner, Joe Louis, Sugar Ray Robinson, Willie Nelson, Wesley Snipes, Liberace, Groucho Marx and Jack Benny. Many fascinating tax stories fill this book, including tales of gifts to Anna Nicole Smith, Irving Berlin's songs and much more. Through his decades-long experience as a practicing tax accountant with an insider's knowledge of tax policy and legislation, Jay Starkman provides a fresh and provocative perspective on taxes and accounting. He also gives unconventional and invaluable advice on dealing with IRS.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0981806309
• ISBN13: 9780981806303
• Release Date: September 2008
• Publisher: Twinset Inc.
• Length: 444 Pages
• Weight: 1.86 lbs.