And, obviously I should never be allowed to post anything without an editor. Always has been the case. Fluke of mild, uncorrectable learning disability. How come, as smart as AI, and Grammary are supposed to be, not only are they useless for the disabled, but when they do try to help they are wrong, stupid, and worse writers even than I am. It's not like I could train one for my needs, especially as my fingers keep hitting the wrong keys. Anyone got a really smart parrot who can type that needs a home? (Oh, and diapers. Got a wear diapers. I mean, there's a reason birds prefer to live outside. And even if a cat could be trained to type, they would only be interested when you are trying to do something else...) ;)
I didn't notice anything wrong in your first reply, grammarwise or otherwise. But I enjoyed this follow up. I haven't tried using an AI help, though of course I'm banged in the face by it whenever I use Google. I have a correspondent that I'm suspecting is using ChatGPT or somesuch. Unlike you and me, who write with a chatty personality, AI writes will a polite, even seemingly empathetic formality that at first feels caring and incisive but doesn't go deeper, doesn't play or reveal the details of a real life -- with AI there is no real life. No tragedy if it's true. If the correspondence doesn't develop, it will just stop.
If is always something. Glad you are able to chill, if eventually. We have actually had very good luck with the IRS, especially considering the unexpected twists and turns in our professional lives. The only time we were ever audited by the IRS was the first time we had hired an accountant. She had made a significant mistake - claiming our basement, where we had an office where at least 6 people worked every day, most for money, some as volunteers. Apparently, however there is a sq foot limit to home based business space, the equivalent of one room, unless you have a separate building on your property.
No problem, we get called in by a small, but professionally polite accountant who reviewed and logged every disorganized receipt in the box, without complaint, even though he had to hold each receipt up to his very thick glasses - clearly quite the chore for the man. But he was kind, and patient, and when he was done he told us nothing - other than the accountant's mistake and our ignorance of tax law. He wrote down the difference between what we paid and what we owed, directing us to a window where we could write a check or set up a payment plan. And, back in the way back machine, their was a consumer support number - AT THE IRS - where their whole job was to help tax payers. They could answer questions, look up your case file, set up payment plans, and - when hardship could be proven - forgive back taxes, for little guys - when necessary. I know because when I was younger and a freelancer not understanding what to do, they were most helpful with advice, and I'm did help people I knew get out from under when they were, for example, in danger of going under. This doesn't apply to property taxes or mortgage concerns - different businesses and enforcement agencies. But, initially, not unlike the Social Security department, the IRS was set up to assist citizens...
Ah well. After that we filled all our own taxes until just last year, when Jeremy Sharp helped us (can't recommend him highly enough - reach out for contact email if you wish to support a good hearted, highly capable professional) as we have just started to dip our toes back into the water of being working creators again.
It's getting pretty hairy out there in the bad old USA, but if we take care of each other, we will get through it together.
I was a taxman in a former life. Things have changed a lot since my day. Gone downhill in a big way. So much for computerisation. I used to reply to letters the day I got them. Now you can wait months and it's obvious whoever wrote the letter only skimmed yours. I even tried my old trick of laying out everything in a single document so they would have all relevant data right there in front of them. This is the future. I'm having similar issues trying to claim my Civil Service pension at the moment. It took three e-mails, a phone call (including a half hour wait to speak to someone) and a letter before, weeks after the letter, I got a response acknowleging I was due a pension and including a form that only asks half the questions it needs to.
I don't need to file a return. Carrie does and I do all the sums for her but it's just numbers. Your American system has always sounded like a nightmare to me. The only time I was ever involved in an audit was when I did my brother's taxes. I forgot to enter his wife's name on his tax return and rather than drop us a note asking if this was an omission (or simply withdrawning the married allowance) they reviewed everything. My figures were spot on. I'd just missed one word. What a waste of time and resources.
As for cars. Gave up my licence when I turned 65. Do not miss it.
Trump's gutting of the government -- including the Internal Revenue Service -- looks like a disaster to me in every way. But I still have to do my part competently, which I'm not. I am doing a little bit every day. It will get done.
And, obviously I should never be allowed to post anything without an editor. Always has been the case. Fluke of mild, uncorrectable learning disability. How come, as smart as AI, and Grammary are supposed to be, not only are they useless for the disabled, but when they do try to help they are wrong, stupid, and worse writers even than I am. It's not like I could train one for my needs, especially as my fingers keep hitting the wrong keys. Anyone got a really smart parrot who can type that needs a home? (Oh, and diapers. Got a wear diapers. I mean, there's a reason birds prefer to live outside. And even if a cat could be trained to type, they would only be interested when you are trying to do something else...) ;)
I didn't notice anything wrong in your first reply, grammarwise or otherwise. But I enjoyed this follow up. I haven't tried using an AI help, though of course I'm banged in the face by it whenever I use Google. I have a correspondent that I'm suspecting is using ChatGPT or somesuch. Unlike you and me, who write with a chatty personality, AI writes will a polite, even seemingly empathetic formality that at first feels caring and incisive but doesn't go deeper, doesn't play or reveal the details of a real life -- with AI there is no real life. No tragedy if it's true. If the correspondence doesn't develop, it will just stop.
If is always something. Glad you are able to chill, if eventually. We have actually had very good luck with the IRS, especially considering the unexpected twists and turns in our professional lives. The only time we were ever audited by the IRS was the first time we had hired an accountant. She had made a significant mistake - claiming our basement, where we had an office where at least 6 people worked every day, most for money, some as volunteers. Apparently, however there is a sq foot limit to home based business space, the equivalent of one room, unless you have a separate building on your property.
No problem, we get called in by a small, but professionally polite accountant who reviewed and logged every disorganized receipt in the box, without complaint, even though he had to hold each receipt up to his very thick glasses - clearly quite the chore for the man. But he was kind, and patient, and when he was done he told us nothing - other than the accountant's mistake and our ignorance of tax law. He wrote down the difference between what we paid and what we owed, directing us to a window where we could write a check or set up a payment plan. And, back in the way back machine, their was a consumer support number - AT THE IRS - where their whole job was to help tax payers. They could answer questions, look up your case file, set up payment plans, and - when hardship could be proven - forgive back taxes, for little guys - when necessary. I know because when I was younger and a freelancer not understanding what to do, they were most helpful with advice, and I'm did help people I knew get out from under when they were, for example, in danger of going under. This doesn't apply to property taxes or mortgage concerns - different businesses and enforcement agencies. But, initially, not unlike the Social Security department, the IRS was set up to assist citizens...
Ah well. After that we filled all our own taxes until just last year, when Jeremy Sharp helped us (can't recommend him highly enough - reach out for contact email if you wish to support a good hearted, highly capable professional) as we have just started to dip our toes back into the water of being working creators again.
It's getting pretty hairy out there in the bad old USA, but if we take care of each other, we will get through it together.
Thanks for sharing that, Sarah. I will plug away, and things will move along.
I was a taxman in a former life. Things have changed a lot since my day. Gone downhill in a big way. So much for computerisation. I used to reply to letters the day I got them. Now you can wait months and it's obvious whoever wrote the letter only skimmed yours. I even tried my old trick of laying out everything in a single document so they would have all relevant data right there in front of them. This is the future. I'm having similar issues trying to claim my Civil Service pension at the moment. It took three e-mails, a phone call (including a half hour wait to speak to someone) and a letter before, weeks after the letter, I got a response acknowleging I was due a pension and including a form that only asks half the questions it needs to.
I don't need to file a return. Carrie does and I do all the sums for her but it's just numbers. Your American system has always sounded like a nightmare to me. The only time I was ever involved in an audit was when I did my brother's taxes. I forgot to enter his wife's name on his tax return and rather than drop us a note asking if this was an omission (or simply withdrawning the married allowance) they reviewed everything. My figures were spot on. I'd just missed one word. What a waste of time and resources.
As for cars. Gave up my licence when I turned 65. Do not miss it.
Trump's gutting of the government -- including the Internal Revenue Service -- looks like a disaster to me in every way. But I still have to do my part competently, which I'm not. I am doing a little bit every day. It will get done.