Here’s something you don’t see too much. It’s a check from the US Government — an unexpected check at that. I do my own taxes, and I filed early this year, well before April 15. About a week ago I got a note in the mail from the IRS saying that I made a mistake on my return. Bad news, right? Well, for once, it was good news. Turns out that I forgot that the stimulus tax payment from last summer was to be based on what you earned in 2008, even though the initial amount sent was based on what you earned in 2007. Because of some income on stock investments that I’m holding for retirement (above what I can put in an IRA), my 2007 income was too high for me to get the full $600; I was sent $500. HOWEVER, because the stock market went to hell in 2008 and I didn’t have any such income, I actually am owed the full amount. But I wasn’t aware of that. So the IRS was decent enough to remind me of my mistake, and sent me a check for what they owed me.
Well, that’s certainly a rare event in life — making a mistake such that the IRS owes YOU money, and then getting a check in a couple of weeks. Well, no tea party for me this year. It’s nice to see the IRS being just as prompt in correcting a mistake in one’s own favor, as it is in going after you when you owe them money (or if they think you do). I’m actually being nice to Uncle Sam and not rushing to the bank to cash the check. As such, I’m helping in a small way to finance the huge defecit that the federal government is now incurring as to help save the economy from a decade-long depression. But once I do put the money in the bank, most of it will stay there. I’m afraid that an extra hundred isn’t going to inspire me to get out there and contribute to the revival of the consumer spending sector. I have a furlough at work to deal with; I thus can use the money to help soften the impact on my basic spending (and preparing just in case my employment situation gets even worse).
Nonetheless, I just wanted to give some non-financial credit where non-financial credit is deserved. Thanks much, IRS.
Jim,
Yes, that is a sight to see: A check from the IRS that one didn’t expect!
I have managed to get my IRS refund without a major fuss this year!
But I’ve already discovered that some major, unexpected bills this last month will use up most of the refund.
In one way thank God for the money; in another way, I just can’t catch a break to save some money.
Oh, well, in the end money is simply money; it certainly is not the center of one’s life–well, at least that’s how I see it.
MCS
Comment by MCS — April 27, 2009 @ 4:16 pm
Jim,
Yes, that is a sight to see: A check from the IRS that one didn’t expect!
I have managed to get my IRS refund without a major fuss this year!
But I’ve already discovered that some major, unexpected bills this last month will use up most of the refund.
In one way thank God for the money; in another way, I just can’t catch a break to save some money.
Oh, well, in the end money is simply money; it certainly is not the center of one’s life–well, at least that’s how I see it.
MCS
Comment by MCS — April 27, 2009 @ 4:16 pm