Hey, Ice....



You'll love this (I won't post it--it's in my files somewhere, so make this a "trust me"):



Found out that '99, VA Tax hired a firm in Fairfax, VA (yeah, 'round here, that's the same as DC) to provide hardware and software for new computers and "system," AND consultation.



Here's how it was paid for:



VA Tax agreed that ALL "income tax revenues" collected for '99, '00, '01, '02, and '03 would go to this "outfit."



So, here we are, watching and hearing our governor whine and moan about VA's "budget crisis." And NOW we know why: For FIVE YEARS, ALL "income taxes" go for the tax-agents' computer system....



Anyway--here's an update:



Guess what I learned from IRS?



I don't exist! Right. I'm not in there computers. Okay, I was, sort of, and just as I expected, under a "business entity." Guy at the IRS said he'd never, ever seen anything so "screwed up." Me: "Duh."



Now, VA Tax: The Commissioner of the Revenue (to whom I was advised to go see, years ago, and did, and who admitted I had no business being in her office) learned something. She stood there as one of her people started digging around for information about me.



Knowing I hadn't filed for those years, Commissioner was shocked to see an "assessment." She learned, right there, that "her" agency and the IRS routinely "share" information. And, of course, she agreed with me that that was a big NO NO, NOT without written request by THE Tax Commissioner.



Victory? No. Except, as previously stated, I'm going to spend more time letting my family know how much I love them rather than battling a bunch of lawless dumbasses. (At least for now until both agencies have made written committments which I can challenge later!)



Vindication? Oh, how sweet it is! To have both agencies admit they were wrong and I was right. And for Lisa to sit there and witness it all.



The damnable part, of course, is that it doesn't matter. Okay, Ice, it matters to you and to me and to everyone else here.



But again. It ain't over. Trust me.



Oh, and this:



The "lawyer"? Yeah, "typical" lawyer. But y'all will love this. Okay, I did.



In her office is a poster of a painting of Clarence Darrow with a quote from him (which I haven't yet found online). Something to the effect of:



"If you think you'll find innocence and justice in court, you're wrong. A court is an arena where the only thing that matters is winning."



I told the receptionist I wanted one of those. She called for her boss (the lawyer) to come out. I asked the lawyer if she agreed with what was on the poster. She looked positively heartbroken--really! "Yes," she said. "I do. And that's a shame. But the only thing that matters any more is winning."



Oh, I'm rambling. Y'all go have a good evening. Gotta be up by 0400 tomorrow.



Randy