Friday, September 19, 2008

Saved By The Taxman

I must admit I’ve been feeling rather bleak of late. All down to interminable financial strain... not enough money to cover all our necessary outgoings and my attempts to alleviate this situation by acquiring a second job have all failed miserably.

But yesterday help came through the post from a very unexpected quarter.

It seems the tax office have calculated our child care benefit at a very reasonable £100 a week. This effectively covers the shortfall that we were experiencing due to Tom’s nursery fees.

Cue mega sighs of relief. We’re saved! At least for this year... Of course Karen and I can hardly believe our luck and are sure that the tax office must have miscalculated somehow... that they’re going to demand it all back at some unspecified and inconvenient point in the future.

But that doesn’t mean we aren’t going to bite their hands off accepting the money now. I can assure you it’s certainly much needed.

Mr Taxman, sir, you're a gent – I salute you.

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

Well well...kudos for the tax man..not something you hear said very often!!

The Poet Laura-eate said...

Glad to hear it Steve - you deserve a bit of luck.

Still haven't sold any programme ideas to TV companies, but I live in hope!

Keep having to buy friends' new books and go see their shows in theatres lately - I've began to make my excuses - I feel SO guilty as I do want to support them in their endeavours!

But with a £125 car bill for brake repairs yesterday, priorities often make themselves known!

Steve said...

It's not Deirdre - I'm beginning to wonder if it's a practical joke!

They do indeed Laura - and it always seems to be that financial priorities all make themselves known at the same time...

Tristan said...

Thank the lord you don't have to wipe the bottoms of the terminally bewildered after all.

Old Cheeser said...

Sorry to hear about the financial burdens ... I can appreciate things must be tight. Pray the taxman got it right!!

Steve said...

Tris, no I can relax in the knowledge that I can just stick to kissing the bottoms of the terminally bewildered in the local council for my normal full-time job...!

OC, never thought I'd be praying to the taxman for continued salvation!

Daisy said...

I am so happy to hear you and your family getting a bit of a break...you do deserve one and enjoy it my friend!

The Sagittarian said...

See, from the oddest places salvation comes! (Jeez, was that from me???)
Nah, you deserve a break buddy...glad for yer!

Steve said...

Daisy, Amanda, thank you both - still a bit shocked by it all in all honesty! I'm going to continue to search for an extra job as I think sooner or later a bit of extra moolah is going to be very useful but I feel like the pressure is off a bit at the moment...

Inchy said...

I've recently come to the conclusion that I'm on the wrong tax code, and have been for possibly the last 7 years, so I think it'll be a wee phone call to the tax office tomorrow afternoon and potentially a small rebate.

Watch this space.

Steve said...

Good luck Inchy - getting money out of the taxman is better than winning the lottery in my book... (though the amounts are invariably smaller)!

Can Bass 1 said...

My word, sir. What does one have to do to qualify for such largesse? And are children necessary?

Steve said...

I've a feeling that children are indeed a requirement, yes...!

Anonymous said...

hey that's great news. I had that Monday morning feeling, aided and abetted by a hefty dose of PMT, so that was just what I needed to hear. Very cheering indeed.

Perhaps you should buy a lottery ticket this week? Lady Luck definitely seems to be on your side.

Steve said...

Lady Luck is a grand lass, Gina, though sometimes she expects to be wined and dined before she'll deliver... and for a man of straightened means that's sometimes difficult...!

Brother Tobias said...

That's brilliant, Steve. Must feel like a load lifted.

Steve said...

Brother T, a load lifted, botoxed and liposucked...