BEWARE: The Tax Man Cometh

Did you hear about Detroit attorney James Howarth's letters from the IRS?

Last November he received a letter telling him that he owed 5-cents, and warning him that he would be subject to penalties and interest if he didn't pay. Then, he received a second letter from the IRS that told him he was due a 4-cent refund and telling him that he would have to request a refund if he wanted his 4-cents back.

Howarth wasn't sure if the refund was a recalculation of his original 5-cents due letter or something different, but he did note that, "When I owe them a nickel, I must pay them. It's not optional. But when they owe me, I have to ask for it."

When Howarth tried to contact the IRS to clarify both letters he gave up after being placed on hold for a long time (been there, done that).

When the Associated Press got involved and contacted the IRS, they were told that the IRS doesn't comment on individual accounts.

If I had a nickel for every time the Associated Press got involved to help me with my problems, I might have enough to pay James Howarth's tax bill.