Inside the IRS: Tax Survival Tactics with Ruben D. Valdes

Brent and Tony sit down with tax pro and IRS whisperer Ruben D. Valdes to talk real consequences, IRS traps, and how to avoid screwing yourself when money starts coming in.Ruben specializes in defending people before the IRS and the U.S. Tax Court, and he breaks down everything from audits and levies to influencer tax write-offs, shady deductions, and how to survive an IRS horror story.This episode is packed with blunt, real-world advice for business owners, creators, and anyone who doesn’t want to end up with their accounts frozen, their assets seized, or their name in a Department of Justice press release. If you think TurboTax is enough, think again.Chapters:00:00 Welcome Ruben D. Valdes00:42 What the IRS looks for in an audit02:01 When the IRS skips legal steps and freezes your accounts03:56 How not filing taxes becomes a criminal problem05:30 Why offering a dollar to settle a $10M IRS debt can work06:56 The risk of lying on your tax return07:29 Are tax loopholes fair game?08:45 Most of the IRS’s money comes from employment tax09:51 Why bad bookkeeping ruins tax planning12:46 How Amazon and big corps minimize taxes legally14:24 Cost segregation and tax code strategies15:26 OnlyFans, influencers, and cosmetic surgery write-offs17:48 Chesty Love and bizarre tax court wins19:41 S Corp advantages for creators and freelancers21:09 The IRS wants your Instagram freebies taxed24:49 IRS rules around travel, meals, and hotel stays28:52 Lingerie, Victoria’s Secret, and business accounts32:21 Cannabis business and all-cash messes35:59 Instagram myths about tax write-offs41:14 What real business deductions look like43:47 When revenue levels trigger more IRS scrutiny47:24 Why education matters more than just hiring a CPA53:04 IRS’s Internal Revenue Manual and how it trains agents56:55 When an audit reveals more problems than you realized58:42 Who should hire Ruben and when01:00:52 Protecting yourself from IRS agents and criminal referrals01:01:24 Bare minimum tax tips for beginners01:02:19 Ruben’s Latin Tax Academy and helping Latino entrepreneursFollow Ruben:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taxprorubenFacebook: https://facebook.com/taxprorubenLatin Tax Academy: https://latintaxacademy.com/Follow the podcast:Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/twofunguyspodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/twofunguyspodcastTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@twofunguyspodcastDon't forget to subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts!