Today is April 15. We should all know that our individual income tax returns are due today. If you won't have it ready in time to mail or efile today, you'll want to
file an extension and be sure to still pay what you owe so you don't get a failure to pay or failure to file penalty.
Years ago in presenting a Junior Achievement math program to 8th graders, I was surprised to know that the majority knew the answer as to when an individual's income tax return is due. April 15 has certainly become a part of our "tax culture." I don't think this date will change as part of any tax reform efforts, but you never know. Certainly, there are likely a few individuals still waiting for K-1s and corrected 1099s today and will struggle to estimate their tax due today.
Okay, on to the nostalgia part. I've been a fan of
Irving Berlin since high school. One of the hundreds of songs he wrote was one commissioned by the government in the 1940s when the number of individuals subject to income tax grew tremendously (tied to WWII funding needs). The song is "I Paid My Income Tax Today." I've found online recordings by
Gene Autry and
Danny Kaye. Enjoy!
From the Library of Congress.
Probably playing one of his
transposing pianos.
Want to know what your federal tax dollars help fund? Check out a taxpayer receipt from the White House (at the bottom of this page). It's not a perfect tool, but better than nothing (see my
4/17/11 post).
