April 15^th is just hours away.  Tax time, by far, is the most stressful time of the year for most Americans.  The holidays, although stressful for many, at least have the promise of family and good food.  Tax day?  Not so much.  Even when we’re anticipating a refund, we’re on pins and needles in hopes the IRS agrees with our own figures and forwards that check with our name on it.

So, in honor of Tax Day (I can hear the collective sighs now), a walk through history reveals some interesting facts.  Broaden your horizons and who knows, it might not feel so intimidating after reading some of the history behind the nightmare we refer to as ‘IRS’.

Did you know the income tax was actually repealed at one time in 1872?  President Lincoln, in his efforts to fund the Civil War, enacted the first income tax in 1862.   Ten years later, it was repealed, only to be resuscitated in 1894 and then ruled unconstitutional in 1895 by the Supreme Court.  It wasn’t until 1913, when Wyoming ratified the 16^th Amendment by becoming the final state that constituted the three quarter majority necessary for the amendment, was the Bureau of Internal Revenue reborn.  Of course, this allowed Congress to bring to life an income tax.  From there, the first Form 1040 was created and can be seen here.

After that, the rates were modified drastically during both World War II and the Depression and each time the income tax was lowered after these dire financial times, it was never as low as it was before the increase.

In the 1950s, the name went from the Bureau of Internal Revenue to the Internal Revenue Service, or IRS.  The president of the United States chooses the IRS commissioner.  The massive restructuring that was said to have taken place in 1998 was due to incredible public pressure to lessen its overpowering and intimidating image.  Its new image attempts to be more inviting or open to taxpayers seeking information or assistance.

So as we gear up to put yet another April 15^th behind us, what does the IRS suggest we do if we anticipate problems with owing instead of being owed?  If you have an accountant, or bookkeeper, be open with them.  Allow their expertise to help you.  If you’re doing your own taxes, you’re encouraged to contact the IRS with any problems or questions you have.  The best way to contact anyone at the IRS?  Their website at www.irs.gov is the first best place to start.  If things are really bad, you’ll want to speak with a lawyer who’s experienced in back taxes and other IRS problems.  Your lawyer can discuss any options for resolution and can work with the IRS on your behalf to put these problems behind you once and for all.

Gigantic retail company Wal Mart is once again at the center of a huge debate as it attempts to steamroll anyone in its way. In the crosshairs this time is a famed Civil War site in Virginia. The site is where Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant first did battle. It’s important to note, however, that Virginia is the one state where a large majority of the war was fought and there are many landmarks that are protected. In a letter from more than 250 Civil War experts, scholars and even some of Hollywood’s most elite filmmakers and addressed to H. Lee Scott, who is the current president and CEO of Wal Mart stores, they say that the Wilderness is “an indelible part of our history, its very ground hallowed by the American blood spilled there, and it cannot be moved.”

The opposition insists the entrance to the site would be a full mile from the Wal Mart Supercenter. And too, citizens and leaders of Orange County, VA are anticipating a $500,000 annual tax revenue that the store will generate. One business owner insists the area is hardly a pristine wilderness area. Still, it is what it is and those who go to great lengths to preserve American history are not going to go away quietly nor without a fight.

After a little research, I discovered this particular area’s one of the major battle sites and in May of 1864, 24,000 were either killed or injured in one of largest battles of the war.

So once again, the question of whether modern conveniences and fast access to Pine Sol and Milano cookies is more important than preserving the history that shaped America. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for a clean house and a cookie stash hidden away, but I’m just not sure at what cost. Although Wal Mart is the target of the historical committees, there are plans to further develop the area for even more commercial and residential properties. And according to a study conducted by a third party with no vested interest either way, the site that’s being considered isn’t historically or archaeologically significant. This, as you might guess, is being debated, especially considering the 24,000 who spilled blood on that site.

The debate continues and lawsuits are most likely being filed as you’re reading this. The historians believe an equally acceptable site can be found, while Wal Mart says it’s not found any as “attractive” and that it intends to move forward with current plans. Can you imagine what might be unearthed as soon as the bulldozers start moving in and digging around? This could potentially provide many items, such as belt buckles, buttons and other material items that serve as proof of the men who fought at that site. Unfortunately, though, possession of those items, should it come to pass, could be yet another contentious debate.

(Find a Business Lawyer, Lawyer at Lawyer Ahead, Inc.)