Charlie and Annie’s Daily Poll: Do you think most people are completely honest on their tax returns or do many “fudge” just a little bit? (Please leave your response in the “comments” section.)
Well, we’re past the holidays and into the second month of the New Year and it’s that time again: tax season! It’s a safe bet that most people despise giving up huge chunks of their income to government entities that mostly just waste it. But, people pay dutifully because they don’t want to get into trouble with the dreaded IRS. After all, the government’s motto is: What’s ours is ours and what’s YOURS is OURS!
A great many citizens find the couple of months leading up to April 15th the most stressful time of the year. There’s everything from making sure you have all the proper documentation through to completing the returns, all the while hoping you don’t owe more than they’ve already taken throughout the year!
Even after completing the necessary paperwork and mailing it to the government, the stress does not end. There is always the thought that down the road you’ll receive a notice from the IRS with the most feared word in the English language printed on it: AUDIT. Even if you’ve done absolutely nothing wrong, that word can still make you a little jelly kneed!
To help make that unpleasant occurrence less likely, experts have compiled a list of six audit “Red Flag” items that make an audit more likely and should be avoided:
1. Don’t overestimate the value of donated items
2. Double check to be sure you didn’t make any silly math errors on your return
3. Make sure you sign your return before sending it in
4. Don’t under-report income
5. Do not take excessive home office deductions
6. If you make more than $100,000 per year, your odds of an audit increase exponentially. If you’re lucky enough to fall into this category, there’s really not much you can do except maybe take a voluntary pay cut!
Charlie: I hate those government vultures; they cause Papa and Mama to get all stressed out at this time of year and they have to work on all this stupid tax stuff so they have less time to show US attention!
Annie: It just isn’t right! We are a little “high maintenance”, but we deserve it! Stupid government!
Charlie: I have a plan to get back at the IRS for this injustice!
Annie: Let’s hear it!
Charlie: Well, a lot of those wimpy little accountant-type IRS agents are probably allergic to everything under the sun, including cats. Before Papa seals up the returns to mail them in, we go lay all over them and rub them real good with dander. Then, when they open the envelope at the IRS: Voila! It’s a sneezing fit and watery eyes all around!
Annie: That is a dastardly plan; I love it! You really are a deranged genius.
Charlie: Thank you, except for the deranged part.
Annie: I think I saw those returns out on Papa’s desk…
Charlie: Let’s roll!
********************************************************
Related Reading: Avoid An Audit
********************************************************
Answer to the previous Kitty Quiz: The American Shorthair
Current Kitty Quiz: Which breed is a long-haired version of the Manx?
Please check the next post for the answer to the current Kitty Quiz!
('
’)
