#the IRS is not coming for you

[intelligentchristianlady]

IRS Funding

[This is copied from a NYT article, which is behind a paywall, as are the links.]

Most of us know the I.R.S. from the unpleasant task of filing taxes. The agency processes more than 260 million tax returns and related documents each year, with an annual budget of nearly $14 billion and about 80,000 full-time staff members.

It does much of this work on antiquated systems. A recent Washington Post column depicted a bureaucracy that has not adapted to the computer age and instead has stacks of papers extending into a cafeteria. The agency still uses technology dating back more than a half-century, including devices running a programming language, COBOL, that few coders still know. It typically communicates with taxpayers through snail mail or fax.

Congress has cut the I.R.S.’s budget 20 percent since 2010. That makes it hard for the agency to help Americans file their taxes; it answered fewer than one in 10 calls for help during the 2021 filing season.

The funding shortage also makes it difficult for the agency to collect what the government is owed. The tax gap — the difference between taxes owed and taxes paid — is about 15 percent of all taxes.

The new funding will help address the shortcomings by letting the agency update its systems and hire more people. In total, the I.R.S. plans to recruit 87,000 employees. Many of those new hires will fill jobs left behind by retirees in the coming years, but its work force will expand overall to let it take on more duties in auditing, processing and customer service.

Republicans have cited the planned hires to amplify conspiracy theories about armed I.R.S. agents coming after law-abiding Americans. It’s true that some agents who conduct criminal investigations can be armed, like other law enforcement officials. But only 1 percent of new hires will be in such jobs, which focus on more serious financial crimes, according to the Treasury.

Republicans have also raised concerns that the I.R.S. will use the extra funds to go after conservative groups. The agency did target some right-wing organizations seeking tax-exempt status in the 2010s, but it also used similar tactics against progressive groups.

With the additional resources, the I.R.S. does plan to crack down on people and businesses who don’t pay the taxes they owe.

The question is who the agency will focus on. The Biden administration has said it will target rich tax cheats and ordered the agency not to increase audits on people who make less than $400,000 a year or on small businesses. The administration argues that underfunding led the I.R.S. to reduce audits on wealthy taxpayers in particular, so the new money should aim to close that gap.

The agency has good reason to focus on the rich: They account for the largest share of unpaid taxes.

[lesbiansforangusmcdonald]

Fig, this episode: “I don’t think I wanna be a bard anymore.”

Me, already planning out the set list for the junior year tour in my head: WHAT?!?

[bonefall]

I personally like Thunder's prosthetic. Explained it to my friend (who does use a mobility device, a cane and wheelchair, and listens to me rant and infodump about BB) and they agreed, it's important to know that not every person needs what someone wants to give them. It's another example of "bad ableist person does a thing that hurts a disabled person because they are bad and ableist".

Clear Sky got Jagged Peak killed and would have killed Sunlit Frost! He would absolutely force his disabled son to be "normal" and present it like a privilege. "I wouldn't do this for anyone else, it's special, why don't you want to be helped?"

Thunder Storm should toss it in Clear Sky's face. (I would say toss it into the river but we do not pollute waterways in this house)

Thank you for telling me this, and tell your friend I'm thanking them too! If they have anything else to add please forward what they have to say

Since BB!DOTC tackles some of the heaviest topics in the entire series because its canon equivalent is so dark, I think very carefully about what I do here and how I show it. I take feedback on its sensitive aspects very seriously. If I'm understanding the criticism properly, it's that I should avoid stigmatizing prosthetics by making sure Thunder Storm's not the only one with it-- which he's not! And I'll add even more.

I don't want to avoid something only because it's uncomfortable if the topic is important, and my portrayal is respectful. Ableism IS uncomfortable! There are some situations where a prosthetic is not wanted! I think the rejection of this particular one is both a good opportunity to show a type of ableism and ALSO is very fitting for the characters.

In BB!Clear Sky's mind, the villain, he's fixing an old mistake. He can't admit that he got Jagged Peak killed or take REAL accountability for it (though he will, occasionally, apologize insincerely), but deep in his bones, he knows what he did was cruel. He'll never tell anyone this because he doesn't really cognate it himself, but Thunder Storm NEEDS to take his gift.

If Thunder doesn't take it, it blows a hole in his newest story. You see, throwing Jagged Peak out was All That Could Have Been Done back then. It was a Tragedy and he simply Made A Hard Choice. He regrets it very much, But You Have To Understand.

But now? Now? Well, behold. Look at what he's accomplished since the tragic death of his little brother. His cats are well-fed, cared for, and stable enough to make such incredible advancements. If only Jagged Peak had been able to hold on longer, if only he could be here now, I could fix him.

Just like I can (MAKE YOU JUST LIKE ME) fix you.

"Everything I've ever done is for Jagged Peak. For Fluttering Wing. For you." Thunder Sky is SPECIAL, but if he rejects any gift, tries to turn down the "privileges" offered to him, in an instant that becomes ungratefulness and arrogance. He both forces him to be special, and then leverages it against him if it's rejected. "Spoiled brat, doesn't appreciate what I've worked so hard to give him."

It all goes back to him and his own guilt. He can NEVER be wrong. He can't accept his family doesn't have to be "normal" or reflect his own ability. He won't see himself as a bully, let alone a murderer. It was never about his son's comfort or finding out what Thunder Storm wants or needs, it was about his own ego.

...All that said I'm still taking feedback if there's anything else I should keep in mind, or if anyone has a counter point, especially if you also have experience here.

(In the interest of having a link trail for posterity, here's the critique/call for feedback this is in response to)

[eureka-its-zico]

Y’ALL JUST HEAR ME OUT.

How many times has anyone watched episode 4 where at the end Kaya kisses Usopp goodbye? That WHOLE scene has me dying for one specific reason.

Yes. Zoro is awkward. He looks away. They all do. But the WHOLE time even when Luffy and Nami start talking and she says, “Let them have this one.” He is STILL looking uncomfortable and nervous. Like, what is even affection?? What even is kissing???

I know they are supposed to be between 17-19 when they all first meet, but after watching this scene over and over again, and finding this video, y’all cannot tell me that Zoro has 1) had a girlfriend 2) has kissed someone. Because that boy is so nervous just from WATCHING A KISS. It’s giving cute fuckin inexperienced in the ways of affection and life and I can’t deal. He’s so soft and such a baby. A BABY.

This is why when I write for him he pushes back at any sort of affection or he struggles to say or do the right thing, feeling wise. He’s inexperienced when it comes to relationships and what is the right thing to say. Even in episode two, he says “I don’t talk. I hit things.” If He’s about to profess some type of feelings prepare yourself for a messy and confusing ride cause it’s going to have a lot of starts and stops and heavy sighing mixed in with throat clearing.

Attached is a video I came across from a Brazilian fan account for One Piece that literally just focuses on him the whole time during the kiss. You can try and tell me I’m wrong but 🤷🏽‍♀️🙃🙃🫠 I’m officially in on that idea.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CxBYidfO8Dz/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

[figofswords]

the post grad why did i get an art degree what am i even doing what do i want in life where am i going crisis has finally hit i want to. lie down in the dirt. or something

[unpretty]

absolutely wildest part of my job on an emotional level has to be making forms. it feels wrong. forms are important. someone else should be making this, who knows things about form law. these should be special ordered from a company that does nothing but make forms with the help of their legal team that does nothing but confirm that the forms are correct. every time i throw a form together in word and it becomes our new official form, it feels deeply wrong somehow. this is too much power.

[puhpandas]

Tony Becker is one of the only times that I've seen that a character has actually been doomed by the plot when people say he is

[anxiously-sidequesting]

Sorry to be posting twice in one day but now I wanna talk about Sybil's last line of dialogue at the end of Wallaru. Bro says "The Spiral will always need its Scion." In terms of new villains always arising, new worlds to explore, etc.

Now of course in the real world this means something totally different than in narrative; for us it means yay Wizard101 will continue and it's not ending and shit and thats good!!! But in universe, I believe that fact would have brought different feelings. Like sadness. Or anger. Or maybe just numbness.

Like if you think about it. The implications. The Wizard will never, CAN never rest. It's an ongoing, neverending thing of always being needed. It's You and ONLY You. There will never NOT be evil. If not GF Spider, then the Schism. If not the Schism, then the Old One. If not the Old One, then someone else. Someone or Something will always come up as a Threat that only the Scion (for some reason. Gods exists here) is expected and able to defeat. When Sybil said that I was legit terrified because gotdamn I can't retire???? I will Always be The Legend who Always saves the day???

Like even setting aside the social consequences of this (the whole people suspecting us/fearing us Thing) imagine what that does to your emotional and mental health. Fuck even physical health. Going through all that strenuous trauma and exercise and magical ordeals and shit???? The pressure of knowing it's the universe at stake, not just you or the world? I actually would have died just in arc 2 personally how the fuck are we supposed to carry this. For the REST. OF OUR LIVES. FOR HOWEVER LONG WE LIVE

✨ Anyways here's hoping the Schism Soldier is arc 5's new big baddie haha #enemiestolovers101 😘✌️💕💕💕

[ricopop]

im gonna make a virus info post soon.. i need to draw stuff for it but have these little YAAI sibling doodles for now hehehe.. @cephalonheadquarters @superbellsubways

they're virus matter in the sense that they've grown accustom to their body and don't need a host or shell in order to survive 😁 they're fleshy and more humanoid rather than a pile of goop. i guess advanced virus matter but that sounds kind of stupid so i'll think of something later..

i divided virus matter into three stages - conception, goop and modification .. these r basic names and i'll most likely change them going forward but yeah just to give u an idea. the YAAI siblings are at the third stage if u want a clearer idea of what it looks like before i. actually draw up concepts har har har

[quadsuki]

well

[dr-lizortecho]

it’s so interesting the differences between how the pod squad reacts to each love interest for their siblings, like the way Michael and Isobel react so aggressively and ultimately about Liz getting close to their secrets vs Max and Isobel reacting so calm and even measured and nonchalant about Alex

like it goes to say so much about Michael’s character vs Max’s and their individual takes on love, because ultimately Alex saved Michael and Michael and Isobel saved Max- giving them their connection to Earth (Alex giving Michael a feeling of safety and the chance to see this planet as home and Max’s siblings doing the same for him), and how their love interests reflect that, like subconsciously the pod squad knows Liz would pick Rosa over them (just like Max would pick Isobel) and that Alex would stand silent and resolute at Michael’s side, meaning Max and Isobel knew from almost the start that Alex truly meant “I would burn the world down first” while Liz would have to fight for the truth and justice for her sister- to the point of a grand event like how Max smited Noah (except she would use their worst fears)

all of this to say upon further thought I don’t think Max was incidentally homophobic- I think he was incidentally misogynistic or lesbianphobic, because he was the first one aboard the Malex ship and stuck around enough to have dumbass theories- so again his treatment of Anatsa was just gross and weird and maybe even more not him

[nerosdayinanime]

cant stop thinking of sabito-mitsuri interactions

[slender-bureaucracy]

collect my money.

- @spenderman

Be sure to file your taxes this season. I will be collecting your money soon enough.

[minorfamilysupremacy]

quick note: if you're turning on build due to the most recent chat leaks, do me a favor and unfollow, then learn critical thinking skills and ask yourself why you're happily playing into the hands of a known liar and abuser.

[red-hemlock]

Rate your muse’s traits 0-10!

Compassion: 6/10 Bitterness: 10/10* Happiness: 7/10 Politeness: 4/10 Chivalry: 3/10 Pride: 10/10* Honesty: 5/10* Bravery: 8/10 Recklessness: 7/10 Ambition: 8/10 Loyalty: 9/10* Love: 8/10 Sense of family: 10/10* Attractiveness: ?/10* Agility: 7/10 Sex drive: 6/10

Tagged by: @cxpperhead Tagging: @babydxhl, @corvidamned, @mister-bloom, @mirrordread, @mute-call, @ofwealthandtaste, @rubycaped, @hippievibing, @brokentoys, @oneinsanecat, (And anyone else who wants to do this!)

[legionofpotatoes]

I understand the technology limitations are physically insurmountable, but both avatar 2 and god of war 2 - two motion capture top dogs in their respective mediums right now - are still struggling with the most important type of action you can ask to depict and perform in storytelling, and that is hugs. I'm nitpicking but it's been fucking decades by now, come on. hugs are so intrinsically human, tied intimately with moments of catharsis, are the purest expression of joy and love and yet in these technological marvels I can just always see it, plain as day. The tilting faces away from each other on approach - so the camera rigs don't bump; the laying heads on shoulders while looking away instead of gripping tight and burying them in one another's shoulders; and the awkward wide-berth separation moment to, again, make sure the crane rigs don't collide. It's this rigid pantomime of rehearsed choreography instead of a moment of reckless abandon and joy. And isn't that the whole point of mocap, to capture imperfect humanity? I would stomach it too if it wasn't so painfully noticeable almost every time. It's been decades. You get the odd keyframed moment of a kiss or a headbump but the hugs, dear god they have to figure something out about the hugs. I can't think of a more important type of action to refine in performance capture and no one seems to give a shit?? I understand facial capture is important but maybe fuck it for those moments? keyframe a few seconds for the sake of some honest emotion on-screen? I dunno man at this point it really feels like that is the keystone keeping mocap from being taken seriously as a dramatic tool. We need fierce hugs!

tl;dr: I am comically salty that mocap-based cinematics/films cannot get over awkward hugs because they insist on constantly recording facial capture with head-mounted rigs that hilariously limit actors' means of approaching anything within 2 feet and visibly stunt their spacial awareness when interacting in intimate scenes, essentially compromising some tiny part of the whole that can be picked up really instinctively by anyone watching in the audience. Ergo, we think cartoons, not people. It's just kinda regrettable after all this time