By ,
Published May 10, 2017
Now some fresh pickings from the Tax Day Grapevine...
Do as We Say
As we told you earlier-- today is the deadline to file your tax return.
If you don't do it by midnight-- you face a penalty.
But just last week-- the tax collector missed a major deadline of its own-- that will cost millions of dollars.
Despite having ample advance notice -- the IRS failed to update Windows on nearly half of its 110,000 computers-- before Microsoft phased out its XP operating system.
That means computers not updated-- will no longer get security updates or tech support from Microsoft.
Now the IRS must pay Microsoft to keep the system going-- until it gets the upgrades.
Slate.com reports-- that could cost you 11 and a half million dollars a year.
An IRS spokesperson tells the Washington Post-- none of the computers processing tax returns-- is affected by the XP expiration.
Slacking Doesn’t Pay
Americans who slacked on filing their taxes years ago-- have until midnight to claim $760 million before it becomes the property of the IRS.
That's how much went unclaimed-- by people who did not file a tax return for 2010.
Much of that likely belongs to people who did not make enough money to be required to file a return-- but were still owed money by the government.
Those eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit-- could be owed as much as $5,000.
The three-year grace period for filing returns to get a refund-- expires at midnight tonight.
No Such Thing as Free Lunch
And finally-- Uncle Sam may start sending a bill-- for your workplace perks-- taking a bite-- out of free lunch at the office.
The IRS is considering forcing employees to pay taxes on fringe benefits they get on the job.
That could really add up-- when you consider the extravagant freebies offered by many tech companies.
Facebook has several free eateries on its campus-- including a burrito bar-- a barbecue shack--and a candy store.
The barber also gives haircuts-- free of charge.
Getting a new 'do is also free at Google-- where employees also get free gourmet meals-- gym memberships-- even yoga classes.
Not to mention-- massage chairs-- for relaxation time.
And no need to stress over your commute-- Googlers ride for free-- on the Google bus.
https://www.foxnews.com/transcript/grapevine-irs-misses-major-deadline-of-its-own