I've learned

In my life, no news is not "good news." In fact, no news is usually bad news that you have not yet received. In my quest for optimism, I must remember this.

Back in the day, I worked for some d-bag attorney who hired me "under the table." I was an aspiring lawyer. Yawn. Fast forward 5 years later, I'm about to take the bar. The bar application asks if I've ever not filed a tax return (or something along these lines). As they're looking for honesty, I confessed my transgression & explained that I would file a tax return for 2004 ASAP. I hired an accountant & did just this. Ladies & Gents, it wasn't pretty. I had to pay New York State AND Federal taxes-- A total of about $2500. And this did not include interest. I wrote a pity letter, explaining that I was young & dumb (very true) & did not realize I was working under the table until I never received a w-2 (also true). I moved shortly after I stopped working there because I graduated from college (true) &, as I never did my own taxes before (true), it never occured to me that I had to file taxes DESPITE never receiving a w-2 (mostly true).

Anyway, I hadn't heard from the IRS....until Saturday. I owe another $2000 by July 6. Lucky me, right?

Urgh. I mean, I know I had it coming. But who didn't work under the table as a high school or college student?

I feel very depressed about this financial expenditure. I'm actually contemplating becoming a fiscal Conservative (completely separate from the Sarah Palin & religious right bullsh*t), since Republicans are at least averse to raising taxes... Although, on the flip side, I feel as though I will be needing the Democrats' welfare program, so perhaps I should re-think any drastic change in political party affiliation.

Woe is me.