Am I overreacting?

[ellen_datlow]

I just received a notice today from the IRS notifying me that I will shortly receive “a notice and additional information shortly before the payment is made” about the economic stimulus payment we’re all going to receive. So how much did this mass mailing cost us?

Ellen
(outraged by the seemingly waste of MY money and YOUR money on postage, not to mention paper--even "recycled," which it proudly proclaims it uses)

Comments

[k-dunlap.livejournal.com]

I used to be an accountant, and friends still in the field are seething over this. Not only is the paper waste ridiculous, they're only giving you half the story.
It’s worded in such a way that people are flooding the tax places with phone calls and questions.
You only get it if you file this year--so tons of people that don't have to file, and usually don't, are doing so, just to get this ‘gift’.
Depending on how you choose to receive your refund [or pay your taxes] dictates when you get paid. Direct deposit gets you the fastest 'gift' check, so people that normally just do a paper refund or have a check sent are changing the way they do taxes [and again, flooding the tax places].
The dummy messages have gone out to people that aren't eligible [for instance, a dependant child getting social security because of a parent that’s passed away. They can't get this, only their surviving parent can, but the children are receiving them because they get SS payments and are on the books.
And the best part? This is NOT, I repeat NOT a present from the government. Hang on to your stubs--you're going to need them. The government hasn't decided yet if they're going to tax you for this next year, or just take it off your refund. This is NOT a gift, it's a loan, no matter how you look at it, and you’re paying for it next year one way or the other.

And people wonder why I got out of accounting and taxes...

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

Jeez. Thanks for your clarification. This makes the whole thing even more egregious. There was an Op Ed in the NY Times yesterday that suggested it be rescinded and that the money instead go to homeowners who really need it to save their homes....as pointed out by the op ed, who is actually going to spend that money? I wouldn't. If I get anything, it'll go to pay bills so it's certainly not going to "stimulate" the economy. It's been tried before and failed before.

[k-dunlap.livejournal.com]

Exactly what my sister said [pay bills]. It's a broad stereotype, but I'll say it: The percent of the population that will blow it are not people that generally help the economy anyway, so a one-shot spending spree isn't going to do much.

[mckitterick.livejournal.com]

Okay, now that's just depressing.

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

Yup.

[k-dunlap.livejournal.com]

Sorry. =)