We just got our federal tax return check this week after weeks of waiting.
Actually it was supposed to be direct deposited, but they claim my bank rejected the transfer.
So I received 3 letters from the IRS on the same day. That will get the heart pounding!
Two of them were identical: one each to my wife and me explaining the rejection and that a paper check would be coming in 3-4 weeks. The third letter was the check.
So they could have just sent one letter, addressed to the both of us, with the check inside. That’s government efficiency for you.
Before you chide me about receiving a refund at all, yes I know it’s better to not give the government an interest free loan. In fact, I feel like I tweak my withholdings each year, but always get a refund. I now believe in a money fairy.
On Thursday we officially kicked off our first giveaway – Subscribing Pays! $50 cash. Make sure you subscribe by email to be eligible. RSS subscription does not count.
Best Personal Finance (and Lifestyle) Writing of the Week
- At Dollars and Debt, Bill asks if one should be ashamed about using a food pantry. He says it’s not about courage, but about getting done what needs to get done. So true.
- Yes I Am Cheap makes the list again with an interesting post about 9 Tax Deductions Prostitutes Can Claim.
- Wealth Informatics has a highly useful post as part of the Roth IRA Movement that offers various investing strategies for your Roth IRA.
- Average Joe takes on the question of whether older people should be forced to retire earlier, and the value of older workers in the workplace.
- Jeremy at Zero Passive Income lays out a great outline of the types of assets out there, and which ones you should go after.
As usual, I was featured in some carnivals this week.
- Totally Money Blog Carnival at Motivating Mum
- Carnival of Financial Planning at Married With Debt
- Carnival of Financial Camaraderie at My University Money
- Carnival of Money Pros at Thousandaire
- Yakezie Carnival at Money Reasons
- Carnival of Retirement at Finance Product Reviews
- Financial Carnival for Young Adults at 20′s Finances
- Personal Finance Whiz Carnival at Personal Finance Whiz





Thanks for the shout out!
BTW, the IRS thing isn’t all that unusual – had that exact thing happen to me back in 2006. The bank said one of the account numbers were wrong and sent the whole thing back. That’s how it gets refused.
Bill Swan recently posted..When Its Not Your Usual Purchase – the Food Store Brand Wars
Yes typical government waste with the 3 letters showing up at once. It’s be nice if they actually cared about reducing waste like that. Then we wouldn’t need to be paying them so much money.
Modest Money recently posted..Purchasing Life Insurance on a Budget
They send 2 letter to be extra sure that you receive them