Have you ever had a government “inaction” situation?
Not to be confused with government in action. No, we’re talking about government “inaction.” We’re talking “makes no sense.” “Why am I here?” type of situations.
For instance, recently I received a tax bill for several properties I own in Citrus County Florida. This was the first notice I received.
I promptly wrote out two checks and sent them on the long journey overseas to the local Citrus County tax collector.
We don’t want your money!
About two weeks later I received a letter from the Citrus County tax collector. I opened it and looked inside.
Surprise!
The tax collector mailed back my two checks. Untouched.
Overdue Account?
Then I read the cover letter. ‘We don’t accept personal checks on overdue accounts. You must pay by bank check, certified check or wire transfer.’
I didn’t know this was an overdue account. I only received the first notice and paid promptly. Isn’t an overdue account when you receive a second or third letter? I was confused.
Anyway, the payments were due on 31 May 2011. It was Friday 27 May so I had to wait until Monday to initiate the wire transfer.
Late Monday evening I called the bank. They were closed for the holiday. I’d have to call the next day.
Make the payments
So, Tuesday evening I made the wire transfer. Then I went to bed and got up early to call the tax office and make sure they received payment.
“Yes, Mr Ives, your accounts are paid in full.” the lady at the tax office told me.
Overdue? Why?
Now I wanted to find out how my accounts became overdue.
“I don’t understand how my account is overdue. I paid straight away when you sent the letter.” I asked.
“We send the notices out in November. The notice you responded to was from March. That’s the overdue accounts.” She explained.
“I never received a notice in Nov.” I told her.
“We sent them out.” She replied.
“I just bought the properties last year in Sep (2010), I thought the taxes would have been paid.” I added.
“Maybe we sent the initial bill to the previous owners. Maybe that’s why you didn’t recieve it.” She conjectured.
Don’t Ask!
“Well, just for grins, are there any other properties I owe taxes on?” I questioned, almost afraid to ask.
“Let me see … (delay). Yes, there’s one more that’s overdue.” She said as I gulped.
Then she continued, “But, you can’t pay it now. Too late. The deadline is 5pm and it’s 4:45. We’ll close before you can wire it in.”
“How come I never recieved a tax bill for this property?” I asked with impatience.
“It was sent to the same address. I don’t know.” She said.
“How am I supposed to pay the tax when I didn’t receive a bill?” I stammered.
Can’t pay now; wait 10 days!
She ignored my question and went on to explain how the tax bill for this property will be sold. And then in 10 to 14 days I can call back and pay it. By that time they’ll have a new account number to apply my payment against.
I asked why I couldn’t pay it now but she went on about how that was impossible. Too late.
No exceptions!
“Can’t you make an execption in my case? After all, I never received the initial bill?” I pleaded.
“Sorry. We can’t make an exception for you. There are lots of other taxpayers in the same situation as you. We can’t make an exception in your case.” She explained with the emotion of a taped recording.
“You mean to tell me there are other people who didn’t receive a bill? They never got a bill either?” I asked retorically.
“No, they received a bill. But, I can’t make an exception in your case.”
“So, let me get this straight. I’m supposed to pay my tax without getting a bill? How do I know when it’s due? How do I know how much to pay? This makes no sense.” I argued.
She hit me with the big hammer!
Then she hit me with the most famous government “inaction” line of all time. The trump card. The “I gottcha” statement. The government “big hammer.”
“It the taxpayers responsibility to pay your taxes.” She blurted as if to say “Checkmate! You lose!”
The conversation fizzled from there.
Waiting to pay …
It hasn’t been 14 days yet. I’ll wait the appropriate time then call find out my new account number and wire transfer the tax owed.
I could have paid them that day on the phone.
I could have paid them back in November 2010 when the tax bills first went out.
All this hassle could have been avoided if they just sent me a bill.
But that’s not their responsibility. It’s not their problem. It’s my responsibility. It’s my problem.
Apparently, taxpayers are not only responsible for paying their tax, they’re also responsible for knowing when and how much to pay.
Now, I know.
Could the conversation have been different?
Why was the conversation with the tax collector’s office so unpleasant?
Why did it have to be so negative?
Why couldn’t it have been different?
Why couldn’t it have been a positive, uplifting experience. One that left me feeling good. Feeling good about the government, feeling good about my taxes and how they’re being spent.
For instance, why couldn’t the conversation have gone something like this instead …
“Sorry Mr Ives. It looks like we sent the first tax bill to the previous owner. No problem. Just pay the tax in the next 30 days and there’s no penalty.”
“You have other properties in the county and they’re all paid up and you’ve never missed a tax payment before. You’re one of our best customers. We never have to chase you for a tax bill. Thanks for all those years of prompt tax payments.”
Had the conversation went like this, I would have written a different article. An article praising the tax collector’s office. Thanking them for working with me. Praising them for treating me like a valued customer.
I wish I could have written that article instead.