Tag: Rant

Death and Taxes

~ 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?

BenFranklin

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

~ 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

Driving Mister Daisy

~ JodiLea ~ 1 Comment

Driving Miss Daisy

I no longer have pity for Morgan Freeman. At least he was not married to Miss Daisy. AND – he got paid to drive her butt around.

I, however, am married to Mister Daisy (a.k.a. Hubby). Who does not thank me for driving him around, let alone pay me. I don’t want to rant about hubby too much. He is not a happy man with only 1/4 of his vision, and I get that.

So, I’m just going to explain (in a non-ranting way) how our lives are going these days.

Mr. Daisy hates me driving him around. He wants to do all the driving himself, but he is not allowed to since his eye surgery.

He doesn’t trust my driving ability. He hates staying awake on long trips because he wants to navigate me. Sure, I get lost and turned around sometimes, but I think this is what they call “the blind leading the blind”. It’s amazing we get anywhere.

The longer our drive, the “snippier” he gets. My TMJ is flaring up from the stress of keeping my mouth shut and trying not to cry. I don’t handle snippy very well.

My lack of depth-perception alarms Mr. Daisy greatly. He says I’m “running off the road”.  I say he’s not used to being on the right-side of the car. I know from personal experience that things look a lot scarier from there. He swears he feels tires leaving the road.

I don’t argue anymore. I just say “whoops!” and hope it pisses him off.

😉