Taxes and what you can do about them.
Nov. 10th, 2003 12:07 pmDutch taxes. They're weird. Every year, before the 1st of April (call it April Fools' *smirk*) the citizens of Holland have to tell the government what they earned, what they spent on education, and deduct what taxes they have to pay.
I did so. Finished doing my taxes of 2002 on March 27, a few minutes past 8 pm. So the programme I still have installed tells me. I saved everything on the appropriate floppy disc and sent it in.
All was well. I didn't hear anything about my taxes (except for a letter concurring with my moving to Veenendaal) until October 31, 2003. Then, I received a letter telling me I didn't tell the government all this stuff about what I earned and what I spent on education. In other words, I hadn't reported what I had to pay or get a refund for yet.
Knowing I did send in the floppy, knowing all was well, I delayed phoning them until today. Some guy over in Amersfoort where the office for my district is, told me I had to send in the floppy again. He'd send me another floppy to write it to. Oh, and that I had to send it in before Friday next, otherwise I'd be fined. Depending on your tax history, this could count up to 1,134 euro.
I don't have 1,134 euro. I did send in the floppy. I told them about my money and financial status!
I was mad. But, knowing also that the poor chap couldn't help any of this, I was icily cool and cynical.
After all, it's not the first time the postal service has made something really important of mine disappear. They are really good at that.
It still sucks major horse shit though, and there's not a thing I can do about it.
Except play Nightwish really loud.
I did so. Finished doing my taxes of 2002 on March 27, a few minutes past 8 pm. So the programme I still have installed tells me. I saved everything on the appropriate floppy disc and sent it in.
All was well. I didn't hear anything about my taxes (except for a letter concurring with my moving to Veenendaal) until October 31, 2003. Then, I received a letter telling me I didn't tell the government all this stuff about what I earned and what I spent on education. In other words, I hadn't reported what I had to pay or get a refund for yet.
Knowing I did send in the floppy, knowing all was well, I delayed phoning them until today. Some guy over in Amersfoort where the office for my district is, told me I had to send in the floppy again. He'd send me another floppy to write it to. Oh, and that I had to send it in before Friday next, otherwise I'd be fined. Depending on your tax history, this could count up to 1,134 euro.
I don't have 1,134 euro. I did send in the floppy. I told them about my money and financial status!
I was mad. But, knowing also that the poor chap couldn't help any of this, I was icily cool and cynical.
After all, it's not the first time the postal service has made something really important of mine disappear. They are really good at that.
It still sucks major horse shit though, and there's not a thing I can do about it.
Except play Nightwish really loud.