Owing The Federal Government

[skatss]

When I did my taxes I found out that I owed the government $200. They are also going to send me a check for $300, I think for earned income credit. My tax accountant said I shouldn't bother about paying them since they will take out what I owe them before they send me the $300. She said I will get a letter from them saying that I owe money but shortly after that I should be getting the money from them minus what I owe.

I paid them $50 just the same.

The other day I received a bill from them saying that I owe them $179. The letter was really pretty nice. I spoke to my tax accountant a day after I received the letter and told her that the letter wasn't nasty at all. She laughed and said that for $179 they aren't going to sweat it and probably know that they will take the rest of what I owe them out of the check.

I kind of liked doing things this way. yes, they will take more than the original $200 because of interest and penalties but at least I won't have to write them a large check.