It’s that time of the year once again. Yes, it’s that dreaded time of the year when the taxman comes knock, knock, knocking at your door.

Let me tell you how it will be; there’s one for you, nineteen for me, cause I’m the taxman. Yeah, I’m the taxman. (“Taxman” – The Beatles -1966)

It was a quadruple whammy this year, what with federal and state income taxes and estimated payments for next year’s taxes all due on April 18. And why, you ask, were the taxes due on the 18th instead of the 15th? It’s because tax day can’t occur on holidays or weekends. But that’s not all, folks, property taxes were also due on the 10th.

Should five percent appear too small, be thankful I don’t take it all, cause I’m the taxman. Yeah, I’m the taxman.

Even though I complain – hey, that’s what I get paid to do – I don’t mind shelling out my hard-earned dollars as long as it gets spent wisely on improvements and services for the community in which I reside.

I still haven’t figured out why the county wants me to pay $85 on my property tax bill twice a year for trash service when I’m already paying Mountain Disposal $76 a month for the same thing. And, to add insult to injury, they get even more cash for the trash they recycle.

However, I don’t mind paying $2.30 twice a year I’m assessed for the county’s Vector Control Department (mosquito abatement). You might want to drain all the leftover water from the recent rain and melting snow, so we don’t have all those nasty vectors buzzing around these parts. I hate it when they buzz around my ear and then go Zap! and then drill like vampires into my ear lobe for blood…just like the IRS.

I wish the county had a more effective Snow Abatement Department, one that would not leave a four to five-foot berm at the end of my driveway, especially after spending two hours digging out the last berm.

And, what about corporate CEOs that reap millions, if not billions, and then get off Scot free and wind up paying little or nothing in taxes? I wish I were a millionaire. I hear it’s easy to do; first you get a million dollars.

Like it or not, we still had to pay all these taxes this week. Hope you got yours paid on time, so you don’t have to pay penalties. But don’t worry, there are more state and federal estimated tax payments coming due throughout the remainder of the year, not to mention more property taxes.

If you drive a car, I’ll tax the street. If you try to sit, I’ll tax your seat. If you get too cold, I’ll tax the heat. If you take a walk, I’ll tax your feet…cause I’m the taxman. Yeah, I’m the taxman.

By the way, did you know that one of our advertisers – KQLH FM 92.5 – plays my weekly musings four times a day with real music? Give it a try, especially if you dig classic oldies.

Keep it flyin’,

Uncle Mott

Editor’s note: Victims of severe winter storms, flooding and mudslides in California beginning Jan. 8, 2023, now have until Oct. 16, 2023, to file various individual and business tax returns and make tax payments, the Internal Revenue Service announced. Taxpayers in San Bernardino County are included in this disaster relief.