Paying My Taxes, and Proud of It
Tax time is hardly fun. But a shift in mindset can bring surprising rewards
Today I paid my federal taxes, and it wasn’t pretty. Since I’m recently retired, I assumed I was done with sending big bucks to Uncle Sam. Wrong.
For months, I’d been anticipating a refund. Those dollars were going to bankroll a few new trees and shrubs for our barren backyard. Sigh. There’s always next year.
But after opening my tax file and hitting “send” — authorizing that painful withdrawal from my savings account — a strange thing happened. I felt a small twinge of satisfaction. Strangely, it felt good knowing I was doing my part.
Reasons not to complain
I certainly don’t support everything the government does with my tax money. But I understand the importance of everyone pitching in as part of our shared civic duty.
Having lived in the same community for many years, I’m familiar with its many tax-supported offerings. We have dependable police, fire, and EMS services, and excellent public schools. Our roads are well maintained. The local parks host concerts, food trucks, sporting events, and other ways to enjoy the company of our neighbors. We have a fabulous local library, where I’m a frequent visitor.
