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Did you know the income tax was actually repealed at one time in 1872?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   Ten years later, it was repealed, only to be resuscitated in 1894 and then ruled unconstitutional in 1895 by the Supreme Court.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.

With the historical events during President Bush’s term in office nearing an end, we prepare for President-elect Barack Obama to take office. One of the most anxious decisions he’ll have to make is whether to end the war and bring the soldiers home. Many believe this will be his first priority. Others think it’ll make the top ten list of priorities, but that the logistics will require time and that it’s at least a year away before any noticeable changes can be made.

Still, families are anticipating the return of their loved ones and hope it’s sooner than later. Although many don’t understand the dynamics involved of going to war in the first place - some insist it was “useless”, there have been victories that changed the world, including the capture, conviction and execution of Saddam Hussein, the near-destruction of Al-Qaeda with an estimate of less than two

Soldiers in Iraq

thousand terrorists of what was, right after 9/11, of nearly 12,000, the death of Abu Khalaf who was the Al-Qaeda leader, the destruction of countless “hotbeds” of terrorist activities and many other sometimes-unnoticed victories that have made the world as a whole a far safer place, one can’t argue with the results over the past several years. Even when there were times Americans felt, and rightfully so, that it was this country that might be standing alone in the ‘war on terror’, the results affect every country, regardless of a collective participation.

The soldiers, as they return home, find themselves dealing with PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder), having to re-familiarize themselves with their own families, getting to know their children who’ve been born since they were last home and face financial difficulties that are worsened by an economy that’s in desperate need of an overhaul. No one in the military gets rich by serving his country and many find it difficult to find civilian jobs upon their return.

The National Center for PTSD reports the transition is overwhelming at times. Depression, guilt, anger and exhaustion are all common, marriages are strained and often the family dynamics undergo many changes before becoming “settled” again. Many who return from Iraq or other war areas say they witnessed events that they carry with them every day, but for their own reasons, choose to not “burden” loved ones. This is an ideal breeding ground for PTSD. Divorce rates, needless to say, are higher than civilians.

And financially? Even those who receive federal checks for disability, including PTSD, often aren’t enough to cover their medical needs, much less mortgages, groceries, automobiles, T-ball registration, gymnastics, lunch money, oil changes in the cars and other daily expenses we all grumble about, but do anyway because they have to be paid. You have to remember, some soldiers left lucrative positions to serve this country but have returned with not only no job awaiting them, but with the same debts that were manageable with their salaries prior to leaving, but are enough to make many suicidal now (which, by the way, is very high). Many left with gas at around $2.00 per gallon and have returned with the prices doubled. Even a gallon of milk has become more expensive over the past few years.

So, as President-elect Obama takes office, he clearly has his work cut out for him. Hopefully he’s been paying attention and recognizes the need and can put forward whatever it takes for ensuring the soldiers are safe on their own soil. The American Dream? It’s still alive and kicking, just slightly redefined.