Does the IRS Have a Sense of Humor?

Almost everyone talks taxes in the middle of April; and I do plan to write about taxes in future posts on this blog, maybe as soon as next week.  But between now and then, your federal income tax is due.  It’s too late to be thinking of tax strategy for the 2016 tax year, so take a break and laugh or cry as you ponder these quotes about taxes.

“Why does a slight tax increase cost you two hundred dollars and a substantial tax cut save you thirty cents?”  Peg Bracken

“The taxpayer—that’s someone who works for the federal government but doesn’t have to take the civil service examination.”  Ronald Reagan

“If you make any money, the government shoves you in the creek once a year with it in your pockets, and all that don’t get wet you can keep.”  Will Rogers

 Did you ever notice that when you put the words “The” and “IRS” together, it spells “THEIRS”?  Unknown

 Taxes: Of life’s two certainties, the only one for which you can get an automatic extension.  Unknown

 “The government’s view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it.  If it keeps moving, regulate it.  If it stops moving, subsidize it.”  Ronald Reagan

“Be thankful we’re not getting all the government we’re paying for.”  Will Rogers

 “It’s about ten times the size of the Bible, and unlike the Bible, contains no good news.”  Don Nickles, about the Internal Revenue Code

 “The wages of sin are death, but after they take the taxes out, it’s more like a tired feeling, really.”  Paula Poundstone

 “If your biggest tax deduction was bail money, you might be a redneck.”  Jeff Foxworthy

 “An unlimited power to tax involves, necessarily, the power to destroy.”  Daniel Webster

 “Whatever you tax, you get less of.”  Alan Greenspan

 “We have a system that increasingly taxes work and subsidizes nonwork.”  Milton Friedman

 “Congress can raise taxes because it can persuade a sizable fraction of the populace that somebody else will pay.”  Milton Friedman

 “Isn’t it appropriate that the month of the tax begins with April Fool’s Day and ends with cries of ‘May Day!’?”  Rob Knauerhase

 “Render therefore unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and unto God the things that are God’s.”  Jesus Christ

“Invention is continually exercised, to furnish new pretenses for revenues and taxation.  It watches prosperity as its prey and permits none to escape without tribute.”  Thomas Paine

 “The IRS spends God knows how much of your tax money on these toll-free information hot lines staffed by IRS employees, whose idea of a dynamite tax tip is that you should print neatly.  If you ask them a real tax question, such as how you can cheat, they’re useless.”  Dave Barry

Did you like these?  If so, you may find more at…..the IRS website.  Yes, it’s true; the taxes you forked over to Uncle Sam helped pay for a bureaucrat to compile quotes about taxes.  See their list by clicking here.  Can you discern a slightly different tenor to the quotes they included compared to the ones I listed?

So don’t ever say the IRS didn’t give you anything.  And by all means don’t tell them I compiled this list and sent it out free.  I might get hit with a surtax on unrealized income, or something.

Until next time,

Roger

 

“You must also pay your taxes.  The authorities are God’s servants, and it is their duty to take care of these matters.  Pay all that you owe, whether it is taxes and fees or respect and honor.”   Romans 13:6,7 CEV