Ignorant Historian

I kinda wish I could give you a humorous account of my crazy weekend, but I can’t. Apart from going to church Friday evening and Sunday morning (followed by lunch out with a good friend), I did nothing.

I do occasionally have lazy days, but this weekend I took it to new heights. Sleeping more than 8 hours in a stretch is hard on my back, so when I started getting over the pneumonia last week (in the early days I woke every couple of hours for medicine), I tweaked my back, since I was sleeping so much. The only way to get it back to normal is to do nothing but lay down, periodically getting up to stretch and wiggle.

So that’s what I did Friday and Saturday. By Sunday, my back was normal again, but I did continue to rest, only taking time to make breakfasts and lunches for the week.

And now that it’s Monday, I think I’m ready to take on the world again.

I’m ready for a normal week, one without taxes, tornadoes, and disease.

Today’s a big day for me.  While many people may not have school or work today, I have what is usually one of the busiest work days of my year.

We open our main tax site on Martin Luther King, Jr. day.  I suppose it doesn’t have to be on this day, but we usually start on the first Monday after January 15th, which is MLK Day.  It’s just how it lands.

But even more than that (though the first day of tax season would be busy, regardless), today is busy because it’s also the MLK Day of Service through our United Way.  I love that they do this–in high school, I participated in and even helped plan a Youth Day of Caring, which is the same concept, just over Spring Break (and just youth).  I think it’s a great way to honor the memory of Martin Luther King, Jr.  MLK Day is perfect timing for us, too, as we use the wealth of volunteers to stuff bags that we hand out to all of our tax clients.  Without the volunteers, I’d have to spend at least a couple of weeks doing it myself.

And without our tax volunteers, we couldn’t help even half as many people as we do.  I’m very thankful that people readily give up their time to do boring things like stuffing bags and doing taxes.

So with that said, it’s time to…

Go!

What are there only 435 of in this whole country? (answer after the break)

I love wearing heels. Tax season, however, doesn’t love heels.  While I do spend a significant portion of my day behind a desk, slumped over a keyboard, I also get up frequently to give a new client paperwork to fill out, answer a question, check a volunteer’s work, shred something, file something else, get an envelope…you get the picture.

During tax season (especially February and April), I’m always doing 3 things at once.  Or more.  With only three days left of tax season, you know things are crazy.

But today, I’m wearing heels.  The reason lies in the answer to that first question (bonus points to anyone who figured out the riddle before reading on).

So, what are there only 435 of in this whole country?

Representatives.

As in The House of Representatives.

And one of those Representatives is visiting our small little site (need I remind you that it’s my site…as in I run it?) on this very day (and no, he doesn’t even happen to be my Representative, thanks to the screwy district lines).

So, on top of my usual busy tax day at our outlying site, I am spending the first few hours of my day in my office schmoozing up Congressmen Bob Etheridge, anyone he happens to bring with him (do they have an entourage? maybe not…but if he was a Senator?), several members of the IRS, some other colleagues, whatever media we can attract, as well as a handful of tax clients (which could be a handful in themselves).

That’s a lot of people to have in our little 4-room office.

I don’t really know what to expect.  I’m not to be the main act, but I’m definitely supposed to be the puppet-master.  Not sure how I’m going to pull all those strings.  If you think about it, pray for me between 9:30 and 10:30 Eastern!  I’ll update you all once I get some down time (ha ha!).

Updated:

Congressman here and gone.  Media here and gone.  IRS here and gone.  It went well…only briefly talked to Congressman Etheridge, but enjoyed chatting it up with volunteers, tax clients, and IRS higher ups.  Was told that I have a very welcoming and reassuring personality…that’s a first.  The important thing is that it’s over…3 more days!

Yesterday went smoothly, though it was pleasantly exhausting.  I love my job…have I mentioned that before?  Seeing the joy in someone’s face as they know they won’t have to pay as much as $500 to get their money back is priceless.  I also have had several returning clients get so excited to find out that I’m still here as they want me to do their taxes again!  Makes your day to be wanted like that.

This’ll be a short week as tomorrow night I’ll be flying out of here (barring snow!…though it’s not in the forecast).  The last two times I’ve tried to leave the state, the weather has changed my plans.  On top of that, it thundered here on Sunday, and people here in North Carolina say that means that it’ll snow in 7 days.  Have you heard that saying?  I haven’t, and neither had my friend who’s from Pennsylvania.  Is it just a North Carolina thing or have you heard of it, too?

I’m looking forward to this trip as almost all my extended family will be there.  While obviously my brother Riley and Amanda will be in focus as the groom and bride (I know that we don’t say it that way usually, but if I say it the other way, it’ll look like I’m calling my brother the bride!), we’ll also get some good family time in, too.  I took good notes on how to be a good Maid of Honor at my last wedding, so I hope I’m up to snuff!

I can’t believe how quickly the week went.  I was about to say my first full-week back went quickly, but I forgot that I’m off tomorrow (again).  Even after realizing that it was only 4 days, it still seems fast.

Tax season begins a week from tomorrow.  Eek.  Even though I’ve been preparing for it for months, there still is a lot that I have to do in the next week to get ready.  I’ve been working hard to find every (free! we’re a non-profit) way I can to promote this free service.  Sometimes I think it would be easier to sell if it was in fact something we were selling and not just giving away.

Once someone has come in and realized that there is no catch, they will come back and often bring several friends in, too.  Word of mouth was the primary reason we were able to double the amount of returns we did last year!  If you’re local (Wake County), and make less than $49,000 or know someone that does, please spread the word!  You can find all the information about the various sites throughout the county on our website.

Enough tax talk.  On the more immediate horizon, my good friend April is getting married Saturday.  I tried my dress on on Monday…I was having scary thoughts about it not fitting, and not realizing it until Saturday morning!  I think I’m all set to brave the snow as we drive down to Georgia…very thankful that the trace to 1 inch we’re expecting  is coming overnight (if at all) and not while I’m driving.  It’s also all interstate (from about 2 minutes from our door) and my roommate will be with me, so don’t worry (Mom, G. Zoe…I’m talking to you).

This is my first time as a bridesmaid, so that’s something new.  I just hope I don’t trip over my slightly-too-long dress in my high heels!

There was a time I thought today would never come, especially in those dark days of February.  In all honesty, just because tax season is over doesn’t mean my tax work is done, because now I’ll continue to deal with late filers, those who need to file amended returns, and past year filers.  Still, these visits and calls will be significantly less frequent than they have been these 3 months.

All the thought about the at time bizzare tax code has me thinking, if you could add one thing to the tax code what would it be?  A tax on stupidity?  A tax break for unicorn-owners?

ETA at 6:35 AM: Let the record reflect that I’m SUCH a dork. I woke up at 6:15 this morning and was unable to fall asleep because I was too excited for today’s crazy, crazy day at work (I couldn’t tell you the last time that happened…probably first day of college or something). I already have 8 people scheduled, and expect at least that many to call or stop in as well. Yesterday everytime I met with one client, I would have voice mails from 4 others waiting for me when I got done. It’s going to be a long day, but apparently I’m excited for it!

ETA at 12:37 PM: Coming up for air. Have a bit of a break before appointments. Something about “lunch” or something. Yeah right, I haven’t taken a lunch in weeks. I am downing some pudding though (I don’t think I could stomach the rest of my lunch). We should have walk-ins coming in starting here in a few minutes, so we’ll see how many!

ETA at 7:48 PM: I’m now home from the 10-hour workday, and guess what I find in the mail? My new passport! Add to it that I finished paying off my credit card debt this morning, and this was quite the day of freedom!

We’ve all heard, reheard, and heard again that famous JFK quote, “Ask not what your country can do for you–ask what you can do for your country,” right?  Well, it seems like we’re all for quoting it, but not for putting it in action.

Given my job, I hear a lot of whining about taxes.  The most common complaints is that the government just isn’t giving them enough money: whether they should have gotten more in the stimulus payment last year (one suggested $6,000 instead of $600), more back in their tax refund, tax breaks for veterinary bills (you’d be surprised how many times I’m asked about this one), or just another stimulus check.

I’m all for getting people the credits on their taxes that they deserve and the laws allow, but it seems like all people are interested in how they can benefit from the government.  Isn’t that what all the congressional pork is about, getting the constituent what they want, not caring about if it is in the interest of the country as a whole?

I can’t say that I’m entirely innocent on this issue, but it does disgust me.  I think the seagulls in Finding Nemo said it best when they said, “Mine!  Mine!  Mine!”

Time for an update on many different things, with a few new things sprinkled in.

1. I’m already behind on the school year. No professor would say that, but I’m saying that. I’m not where I would like to be when it comes to reading for my classes. I read about 40 pages this weekend and that’s it. I would have preferred to have read 200 or 300. But I focused on other responsibilities, so I’ll take what I can get.

2. I was writing a reply email at work, and I had to type the “RE:” in front of the subject (I can’t do a usual reply for a complicated reason that isn’t worth explaining). The original subject was “forms needed for the filing season,” referring to the tax season (yes, we, or really the IRS, is thinking ahead). I accidently typed “re” rather than “RE:” so the new subject was “reforms needed for the filing season.” If only THAT was the topic of the tax discussion, hehe.

3. The swinging pendulum that I call my emotional state is no longer swinging quite to high. I got some good sleep in this weekend as well as some downtime, both of which helped. Hanging out with friends definitely doesn’t hurt, either.

4. It’s not that I hate being single, but the desire to be married never really goes away. I look at my life and I realize how completely blessed I am, but sadly, sometimes I want more. But I believe that the desire to be a wife and mother is a God-given desire, and one day He will fulfill it if He so chooses. And if He doesn’t, He will bless me in other ways. He is good, and I trust Him.

5. I feel like I need a 5th thing to round out this post. Is there something that I need to update on or needs follow up?

Dear United States Government,

Yesterday marked the day when our taxes were due. Though I filed mine back in February, yesterday’s ominous date reminded me of the taxes that we all pay in order to keep this government operating.

I don’t mind paying taxes, really I don’t. Since I never see the money I give to you, I don’t really feel like I’m giving it at all. It’s more like I’m just getting paid less for the work that I do. I know that the government needs money to do important things like protect us and I don’t mind paying my share.

That said, I ask that you consider if you are spending the money taxpayers give you wisely. You have a job to do with this money. There are all sorts of stories about government waste. The fact that our national debt is growing exponentially is a burden we should all feel. I don’t care if you are a Democrat or a Republican, you have no right to spend money you do not have, thus passing the bill off on my generation and the ones that come after.

I look forward to the day where true tax reform will be discussed and debated. Though I don’t know that the Fair Tax is THE answer, I like it a lot. It at least should be an option when considering how to overhaul the collecting of tax dollars.

More imporantly, how tax dollars are spent needs to be overhauled. The federal government since the days of FDR has encroached more and more on the territory that should be left to the state and local governments. It’s time to reconsider what belongs to the central government and what belongs to the states. Though some might throw a fit if you cancel the funding of their special program, you have to encourage the states to take the fiscal responsibility for those programs if they really want them. If they are not willing to foot the bill, then maybe the program isn’t worth the money that is spent on it.

I truly thank those who serve the citizens of the United States government for what you do for us. I just ask that you consider anew the purposes to which you are serving.

Thankfully,

Ronnica

Dear Tax Clients,

I enjoy helping you by doing your taxes. I like to play with numbers, and taxes are a good challenge for me. Overall, you are wonderful clients and our experience with one another is enjoyable. After all, who doesn’t love telling others that they will be getting money back?

But I don’t enjoy all of our meetings. I really don’t like having to tell you that you owe the United States government money. Some of you have complicated tax issues and hadn’t realized that you owed more taxes than what was taking out of your paychecks. I feel sorry for you. Others of you intentionally didn’t have as much taken out of your paycheck since you wanted that money then, even though the federal government had a claim on it. I don’t feel bad about this, but you are much more likely to view me as the enemy.

For those of you that owed money on your taxes this year, please get that taken care of for next year. That’ll allow our next meeting to be much more pleasant. Thank you.

Until next year,

Ronnica