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Last-minute tax filers, protesters jam post office
People line up to mail their tax returns Thursday at a mobile post office outside Mandalay Bay.
Thursday, April 15, 2010 | 11:03 p.m.
Mailing taxes at the last minute is a tradition for some people. Others said they would never do it again after seeing the crowds of people at post offices around the Las Vegas Valley on Thursday.
The James C. Brown Jr. Post Office, 1001 E. Sunset Road, extended its hours Thursday night to give taxpayers a chance to receive a postmark of April 15 — the tax-filing deadline.
The office’s express drop-off lane and retail window were scheduled to be open until midnight.
Elizabeth Pinto, 55, mailed her taxes at the Sunset office Thursday and said every year she tries to send them off before the last day. But after experiencing the traffic jam at the post office, Pinto said, she will be sure to mail them ahead of time next year.
“I always say next year, but no more,” Pinto said. “Next year, I’m going to send it off earlier.”
Cars lined up near the entrance of the Sunset office, slowly edging forward as other drivers left the parking lot. Metro Police officers directed traffic and postal service workers pointed drivers to parking spots. Protesters also stood on the sidewalk with signs.
Randy Voyard, 40, held a sign that said, “Print your own tax dollars.” He said he wanted to remind people the government is taking their hard-earned money in taxes.
Doug Wilks, 49, was waiting in traffic to mail his tax return. He said he always procrastinates and, a few years ago, ended up mailing his return with just a minute to spare.
Procrastination on tax day gives him a “thrill and rush,” he said.
At a mobile post office set up at Mandalay Bay, those who mailed their tax returns from noon to 8 p.m. received a free ticket to the Shark Reef exhibit.
J. Jindra, 55, said he has been mailing his taxes at Mandalay Bay for eight years so he can visit the Shark Reef for free. He said he it’s also less crowded.
Marilyn Fenimore, media coordinator for the United States Postal Service, said the mobile post office helps clear traffic in front of the Sunset office. She said the Mandalay Bay location serves 2,000 to 3,000 filers each year.
Ginger Kelley, 46, said it’s “a great deal, and if anything is free, then get out and have fun.”
Collection boxes were also set up outside other post offices throughout the valley.
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Apparently, most people feel their tax bill is "fair"...even the Tea party folk!
Fancy that.
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-2...
What rock were these protesters hiding under when Bush launched his infamous trillion dollar war against Iraq without provocation? Where were they when Bush passed the first stimulus plan?
And please stop blaming the Democratic Congress which took office at the beginning of 2007. Instead, look back to the Republican led Congress the prior six years.
Screw the politics, we all work for Uncle Sam at least five months out of the year..
Hey environprotector: With Obama it's going to jump up to at least 7 months out of the year.
I wrote a big check this year. I'll be paying the credit card that the check is on for the next 6 months. At least's It's 0.99% for the next 6 months.
Those protesters are idiots. We all have an obligation to py our taxes, that's hat makes this country run. All of these tax protesters and Tea Party Kool Aid drinkers need to stop caling themselves patrioic Americas. Patriotic Americans live up to our responsibilities, that hasn't changed in over 200 years.
If any of them don't pay their taxes,prosecute them and send their asses to prison and they won't have to worry about taxes, they'll only have to worry about Big Bubba making them his wife!
Excuse the previous typos.
Every year the same story apppears about late tax filers. These irresponsible folks are the same who are late to work, late for appointments and late in paying bills, so who cares. We tax payers are paying the overtime for the postal workers because of these fools.
exactly when is the news going to report the truth? the teabaggers are simply an arm of the republican party and designed to undermine the democratic agenda. they are not some grassroots independant party. this is organized and focused.
the republicans will do anything to get power back, even at the expense of the good of the country, all while hiding behind god and the flag.
People are selfish. Many Americans received two stimulus checks that only helped to deepen our economic woes. They happily took it not giving two rat's patooties that China financed it with interest.
Many of the services that these dopes rail against are the ones they happily take. About 40 percent of our Federal taxes go to defense and Social Security. Another 21 percent goes to health care (before reform).
Republicans can say liberals tax and spend, however, Republicans just spend. Thank you, Dubya! Thank you, Great Communicator. Thank you, Bush 1.
If you spend eight years spending like a drunken sailor that is going to reverberate for many years and it's going to cost (read: spend money and cut services) to correct the damage. This simplistic view from the right that it's only about cutting fraud and scaling back big 'gubament' ain't going to hack it.
Taxation is theft, unless you are stupid enough to give the fools your hard earned money voluntarily.
E-File. Turbo-Tax does it at no additional charge over the $25 for the software. In addition, Turbo Tax is actually "smarter" and far cheaper than the average seasonal-worker that tax preparation companies hire. The only reason not to use it is if you are illiterate.
mar100,
By law, if they file by the 15th, they are not "late filers". Maybe last minute, but not late.
I file mine on the 14th during regular Post Office hours, guaranteeing it is postmarked on time, and avoiding the long lines and TV cameras of the next night.
It is incredible, the same people with a microphone stuck in their face saying those same words "I procrastinate" I bet half of them don't know the meaning of the word, they just repeat what they hear on TV.
Since I had to write a check, no need to file earlier than the 14th.
I'm also one of those rare folks who makes my monthly mortgage payment on time, and watches all the rewards go to the late payers, non-payers and freeloaders. Darn right I'm not mailing that tax check any earlier to support them.
Even when I lost my job, I found ways to keep the bills up to date. Mostly by doing without.
To Environprotector, Once again you are wrong. We work for free about 3.5 months of the year to pay uncle sam. Unless you are one of the lucky 47% who didnt pay anything.
the post office should not be catering to these morons. they have 4 months to file their taxes and has not changed in decades.
@mar100
"We tax payers are paying the overtime for the postal workers because of these fools."
Your the fool. The Postal Service isn't taxpayer funded. Why do you think the price of stamps keeps raising. They are funded through postage and service prices. So I hope the next time your mailman is late you don't yell at him and say your paying his salary because your not.
I also paid on the 14th..thats right PAID! Why would I want to pay earlier? I get no check.