A Citizen’s Request

August 22, 2013 ~ JodiLea

Daily Prompt: The New York Times is going to feature your blog on its home page, and you’ve been asked to publish a new post — it’ll be the first thing tens of thousands of new readers see. Write it.

The United States sends Federal aid to any foreign country, battling natural or man-made issues. Not only in $$$, but troops.

This week I am in the middle of a real-time disaster that desperately needs some aid from the Feds now. Both $$$ and troops.

In case you haven’t heard – The state of California is on fire. Not just wildfires in the No. CA Sierra, or the usual Santa Anna induced fires in So. CA, but those PLUS SEVEN other raging fires. Massive evacuations are being calculated and carried out. The places in central CA that are (currently) not on fire, are being choked by smoke and ashes. There are road closures, and wasting millions of dollars worth of electricity to run air-conditioners because they dare not open a window. There isn’t any fresh air left to let in.

F-18

Our firefighting budget is almost gone and we don’t employ enough fire-fighters to be spread out over the entire state at the same time. I would like to see the President send those F-18’s – you know, the ones on hold for Egypt, out here to help with airdrops.

And those troops that Mr. Obama promised to start bringing home? Have them stop in CA for a few days to help out the National Guard. I’m sure that compared to where they are, this will be seem like a vacation. At the very least they shouldn’t get shot at or blown up.

I would like to make an official Citizen’s Request of the Federal Government: Californian’s pay more taxes than any other state. Can we have some of it back? One point three million would really help a lot.

Sincerely,

CA Citizen

Death and Taxes

April 15, 2013 ~ JodiLea ~ 3 Comments

Do you know that the IRS keeps demanding your money – even after you’re dead?

This sure puts a new spin on Benjamin Franklin’s quote:

“‘In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.

Who knew he meant at the same time?

I am dealing with the nightmare that is my sister’s taxes. Personal, as well as her estate’s taxes. First of all, the word estate conjures up visions of mansions and filthy-rich old people. Sis was not wealthy or old when she passed away. She was unemployed, with a modest retirement account. Can’t the IRS just let it slide? I mean, she’s DEAD. How can they send her a refund? Duh.

As next of kin, I am responsible for filing her 2012 taxes. AND her “Estate’s” taxes, that need reporting on a totally different form. How the Hell can I fill out forms when I have no clue about what to put in them? I only have some of her files. I can guess about what her “estate” is worth. Do you think the IRS will be OK with that?

I do know that I am not going to be stuck with paying the IRS interest and penalties because of my sister’s taxes. I have paid enough already. The probate attorney doesn’t contact me about what is going on. I didn’t hire him, so I have no “rights” – apparently. Sister’s fiancé hired him as a favor to help me out. They live in a different state of course, BECAUSE NOTHING IN THIS FREAKING LIFE IS EVER EASY – IS IT?

I am my sister’s “Personal Representative”. I believe that this title only authorizes me to sign court documents. After 11 months, we still don’t have a probate hearing scheduled. How much research does the attorney have to do? My sister didn’t have anything to research. When they tell you “probate takes years”, believe it.

When things get overwhelming and I reach Threat Level 5, I get pissed that my sister is still making my life miserable.

She always was a little brat. Sorry Sis, but we both know it’s true 😉

photo credit: wallyg via photopin cc

Gee, Thanks For Letting Me Keep Some

April 8, 2013 ~ JodiLea ~ 4 Comments

Dear IRS,
I’ll be sending you half of my inheritance next week. I must have done something wrong because I could not find a loop-hole, or any exemption to prevent getting nailed with the maximum capital gains tax.

Please, insist the federal government spend my inheritance wisely. I don’t want to find out that my dear mother’s trust funded something she would disapprove of. And if I were you, I wouldn’t piss her off.

Oh, and FYI – I will NOT be sending you money every quarter next year, so forget those voucher thingys. Everyone who could leave me money is dead. I retired and my pension is notably less than my former income. You’ll have to look for a different grieving heir.

Now that I think about it, you may want to put some of my inheritance in reserve – you’ll be sending ME money next year.

Sincerely,

A Tax-Payer