Patty Craig: A Slice of Time

Wed, 04/12/2017 - 9:16am — Diane Dyer

Tax season is quickly winding down. Most individuals have filed their taxes, but some – for various reasons – have not. I don’t know anyone who likes to pay taxes, but it’s a part of life.

Since April 15th is on a weekend this year, the deadline is extended to Tuesday, April 18th. This is the second consecutive year that the calendar has provided taxpayers with a minor extension. If that still doesn't give some people enough time, they can request an automatic six-month extension. The extension gives them until October 16th to file, although they still owe any balance of the 2016 tax by April 18th (http://finance.yahoo.com/news/not-prepared-tax-day-ey-140800397.html).

Many people have opinions about paying taxes. A few of those opinions are recorded below:

•Death, taxes and childbirth! There's never any convenient time for any of them. – Margaret Mitchell, Gone with the Wind

•One thing is clear: The Founding Fathers never intended a nation where citizens would pay nearly half of everything they earn to the government. – Ron Paul

•Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness... but only when you pay your taxes? That means your freedom is rented, leased, & not unalienable. – Steve Maraboli

•I hate paying taxes. But I love the civilization they give me. – Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.

•Tax is not a four-letter word; rather, it's the price we pay for the country we want. – Alex Himelfarb, Tax Is Not a Four-Letter Word: A Different Take on Taxes in Canada

I’m one of those people who dreads the income-tax-filing process. In order to counter that dread, I usually file fairly early. I asked friends and family whether they have filed their 2016 income tax forms. Approximately 89% have filed, and 11% have yet to file. So, most of those I asked have gotten through the process for another year.

Even Jesus paid taxes, and the Bible teaches that we should pay our taxes (Matthew 17:24-27, Matthew 22:17-21, Mark 12:14-17, Romans 13:1-7). As tax season nears its end, I hope your tax forms have already been submitted. If not, you still have a few more days.

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opinion