Oh, the hilarity

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

So although I paid everything on time (ie in advance), I couldn't get my books done so I filed an extension on my taxes and finally got them in a couple months ago. Today I received a statement from the State of Oregon:

Net tax: 4977.00
Taxes withheld: 2,561.00
Payments received prior to return: 2,483.00
Overpayment: 67.00
Penalty: 47.45
Interest on unpaid tax: 20.85
Balance due: 1.30

So as you see, although I overpaid, I paid interest on the unpaid tax.  

[Halfbaked1]

And if you don't pay it the IRS will be all over you like the paper boy from One Crazy Summer.   

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

It's actually  the Oregon Department of Revenue, and what will happen is that in two or three years they'll catch their error during an internal audit and send me a check for $20.85.

I am growing accustomed to their incompetence.

[Sir Squid Diddimus]

christ

[Jenne]

christ

2ded!

[Remington]

Nigel, it's true that governments do small things stupidly and inefficiently. It's worth remembering, though, that they also do large things stupidly and inefficiently.

Consistency is a virtue.

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

Oh, there have been some state expenditure debacles. Some ongoing ones, even. There was one where they spent over a billion dollars on reservoir covers, never used them, and then tried to sell them on eBay with something like a $1500 opening bid and no reserve.

[Sir Squid Diddimus]

Wowuh