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Just found this again, and thought it might bring a laugh and help the day go better.... HOW TO ANNOY THE IRS (WITHOUT GETTING IN TROUBLE) 1. Always put staples in the right hand corner. Go ahead and put them down the whole right side. The extractors who remove the mail from the envelopes have to take out any staples on the right side. 2. Never arrange paperwork in the right order, or even facing the right way. Put a few upside down and backwards. That way they have to remove all your staples, rearrange your paperwork and re-staple it (on the left side). 3. Line the bottom of your envelope with Elmer's glue and let it dry before you put in your forms, so that the automated opener doesn't open it and the extractor has to open it by hand. 4. If you're very unfortunate and have to pay taxes, send a two or three party check. On top of paying with a third party check, pay one of the dollars you owe in cash. When an extractor receives cash, no matter how small an amount, he has to take it to a special desk and fill out a few nasty forms. 5. Write a little letter of appreciation. Any letter received has to be read and stamped regardless of what it is or what's it's on. 6. Write your letter on something misshapen and unconventional. Like on the back of a grocery store bag. 7. When you mail it, mail it in a big envelope (even if it's just a single EZ form). Big envelopes have to be torn and sorted differently than regular business size ones. An added bonus to the big envelope is that they take priority over other mail, so the workers can hurry up and deal with your mess. 8. If you send two checks, they have to staple your unsightly envelope to your half destroyed form. (MARILYN DOESN'T GET THIS ONE -- PLEASE EXPLAIN) 9. Always put extra paper clips on your forms. Any foreign fasteners or the like have to be removed and put away. 10. Sign your name in ink on every page. Any signature has to be verified and then date stamped. These are just a few of the fun and exciting things you can do with the IRS. These methods are ONLY recommended when you owe money.

It's going to be considered a hobby in any audit, because anything to do with horses is automatically considered by IRS as hobby unless you can prove it's a business, and operated on a regular basis as such, with great records, etc. Put the income on Line 21 with no SE income, and the expenses on Sch A.

Friends, I know many of you remember our favorite expert on Canadian tax issues, Brian Levy. He was always willing to offer help, and a kind word too. I just read this on a post of his on another tax list: " Please understand I am going through cancer treatments including chemo and have other health issues and spending up to 2-3 days per at the hospital. Not interested in charging; helping someone that keeps me challenged and my mind in use is more than adequate compensation." I hope you will all consider him in your prayers, etc. He has retired because of his health issues, but is still reading the lists, as he feels able. So if you want to send him an email, he's still using Dr. Brian Levy [email protected]

Prayers for Brian and his entire medical team.

My Prayers also. Wishing him the best.

>>Two staples<< Okay, I'll concede it's a clever bit of irony. But really, you must not have ever worked as a mail clerk in a big organization. I have--and I can assure you it's naive to think the IRS cares how many staples you use. It's just a hassle for some poor temp trying to make it to Friday with all her fingers intact.

Thanks, KC. I have learned so much from his posting over the years, just as I have learned from yours and many others. I will keep in my prayers. Bonnie

Chose actual the first year?

Y'know, sometimes you can get --AALLMMOOSSTT-- as much fun from just READING about this kind of thing as you could from DOING it. With NO repercussions (unless you count the silly grin you wear for the next half-day.) I sent that list 'round to a couple colleagues here, and they all got a real kick out of it. Thanks, Jack!

I do too or they don't stay my clients!

We are all unpaid IRS employees now! We should file for federal unemployment compensation during the off season.