Today's True IRS Story

"Dividing Mules"

A farmer passed away and left seventeen mules
to his three sons.The instructions left in the will
said that the oldest boy was to get one-half, the
second oldest one-third, and the youngest one-ninth.

The three sons, recognizing the difficulty of dividing
17 mules into these fractions began to argue. Their
uncle Earl heard about the argument, hitched up his
mule and drove out to settle the matter. Uncle Earl
added his mule to the 17, making 18.

The oldest therefore got one-half, or 9, the second
oldest got one-third, or 6, and the youngest got one-
ninth, or 2. Adding up 9, 6 and 2 equals 17. Then
uncle Earl, having settled the argument, hitched up
his mule and drove home.

Uncle Earl is an occasional consultant to Arthur
Andersen.

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"Today's True IRS Story"

In today's mail I got a correction notice on my
2004 taxes.

It seems I overpaid them $8.00 -- Yes, apparently
the check I sent was $8 too much. So, as I said,
the IRS was kind enough to inform me that I sent
them $8 too much.

They will be refunding it to me, unless I care to
object. Yes, I can expect a refund in the amount
of $2.14

WHAT? $2.14 you ask? But, didn't you just say
that you overpaid them $8? Ah, yes, very astute
gentle reader. I did say that.

It seems, however, they are charging me penalties
and interest in the sum of $5.86 for sending them
too much money.

That is our fine government at work.
Received on Wed Dec 14 09:03:16 2005