Columnist Ruthe Deskin: April is appropriate stress month

Ruthe Deskin

Thursday, April 12, 2001 | 8:19 a.m.

Ruthe Deskin is assistant to the publisher. Reach her at deskin@ lasvegassun.com.

April has been designated National Stress Awareness Month.

The folks who came up with that must have been thinking about April 16, when taxes are due.

Let this be a reminder that only a few days are left to pay allegiance to Uncle Sam. With the theme song "All or Nothing at All" the IRS stands ready to accept our contributions. A few lucky ones will get refunds, but most of us will pay and pay.

About the only happy people around tax time are the auditors and CPAs who rake in the big money making out returns. Unfortunately I happen to be one of those who get a colossal headache trying to understand a tax-return form.

Pundits claim you can take several IRS auditors and let them figure the same return and they will come up with different answers. What can they expect from an ordinary citizen with a low IQ in math?

I have always been ready and willing to pay my taxes. Who has a choice? I wouldn't try to evade a just contribution to the government because dire consequences await. Look at how many people have been harassed by the IRS.

I do resent that item called "estimated taxes" where one is required to pay taxes throughout the year on an estimate of future income. It has always seemed to me that taxes are due on April 15 (this year April 16), and that is the day they should be paid. Withholding gives the taxpayer a choice, but estimated taxes are a "better do it or you'll be sorry" situation.

There once was a fellow in Las Vegas who claimed we didn't have to pay taxes. I never paid too much attention to him, but he did have one point of interest. He claimed we should be able to tell the government where we wanted our money to go. He was a sincere sort of a guy. But I think he is serving time for not paying his income tax.

It is said that nothing is absolute in this life except death and taxes. If I must make a choice, I'll gladly fork over whatever the IRS decides I owe. If only they would make it a little easier on those of us who flunked simple bookkeeping.

I live in a senior complex where a most delightful man, Luigi, serves as arbiter of all social activities at the clubhouse.

Luigi also delights our residents with a newsletter that covers everything from maintenance tips, social events, schedules, jokes and inspirational comments.

The Easter edition contained a true story that is especially appropriate for the season:

A few years ago at the Seattle Special Olympics, nine physically or mentally disabled contestants got ready for the 100-yard dash. At the gun, they all started, except one boy who stumbled, fell and began to cry. The other eight heard the boy cry. They slowed and looked back. They all turned around and went to the boy. One girl, with Down syndrome, bent down and kissed him and said, "This will make it better."

All nine linked arms and walked across the finish line together.

Everyone in the stadium stood and cheered for several minutes. People who were there are still telling the story. Why? Because deep down we know this one thing: What matters in this life is more than winning for ourselves. What truly matters is helping others win, even if it means slowing down and changing our course.