The 16th Amendment to the Constitution states (in part): “The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived…”
So the Constitution says we have to pay taxes. But it doesn’t say when.
Don’t get me wrong. It’s not that I won’t do them at all, it’s just that I won’t get them done until April 14th. Each year I vow to get ’em in before the deadline. The phrase, “This year, I’m doing my taxes early,” has become a permanent preamble to my New Year’s Resolutions, listed right above “Lose Weight” and “Get More Exercise.” But I don’t.
I think it’s because there are lots of other things that need to be done – things that take precedence over the IRS – like lawn care, or walking the dog.
Or taking a nap.
Or watching TV…
Watching a movie…
Watching a movie on TV.
Astronomy.
Astrology.
Astrophysics.
Astroturf.
Anything.
Maybe there is some old patriot DNA still alive in my body that makes me resent paying money to the IRS. Maybe I’m just lazy. But every time I approach my computer to load up the tax software, a force field of procrastination hits me like a mack truck and I veer off.
But this year things will be different. This year I’ll sit down and submit my return early, just as soon as I finish this article.
And right after my nap.
