OF THE IRS, AND ME

 

This posting ideally should be read to the accompaniment of Beethoven’s Ode to Joy.

Three years ago I personally prepared my income tax for what proved to be the last time.  As I had done for over 60 years, I did it with a pencil, paper and a simple calculator.  As usual, I briefly scanned the IRS literature for important changes, then slammed the thing together, using the previous year’s effort as a guide.  I vaguely remember saying to myself, “You’re getting too old for this nonsense.”  I vowed at the time to go to a pro the next year, which I did.  I went to Scott Nissen & Associates, here in Bellingham, who now does my income tax for me, with exemplary efficiency and modest cost.

Well, about a year ago I received a love letter from the IRS, informing me that I had screwed up my 2018 return (the last one I did myself), and consequently owed them $7,269  -- on which they were gleefully charging interest!

Well, hell, what to do?  Obviously, get Scott involved.  So, I dumped the whole sorry mess in his lap.

Miracle workers that Nissen & Associates appear to be, within six months or so I got another missive from Uncle Sam, informing me that I only owed them about $3,250 - on which they were still charging interest, of course.  I thought I should just pay, to get them off my back – but Scott said “no”.

As well he might!  Yesterday I received another slender envelope from Washington.  It informed me that they actually owed me a refund of a few tens of bucks! 

Thank you, Scott.  Do you think I could charge them a little interest?