"I was diligent this year. I collected my paperwork, sat down and completed my taxes weeks ago. Then I let the return sit on my computer. I owe the Treasury money -- and I guess I was hoping that time might make my bill smaller.

No such luck. I looked at it again last night, and I still owe the same amount. Now that the April 15 deadline is approaching, my only choice is to send in the return and engage in a real plan to pay what is owed.

It's human nature to put off the things we don't want to think about, to delay dealing with an irreconcilable number. That's as true for our taxpaying society as it is for taxpayers.

My tax bill made me think again about our nation's tax problem. What will it take for the country to file its irreconcilable tax return and then engage in a real plan to pay what is owed?"

Get the Story:
Mark Trahant: It's time for U.S. to plan how to pay the piper (The Seattle Post-Intelligencer 4/10)

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