This is one of my favorite photos of my kids. Not because it's such a great photo, but because it captures a moment in time when they were all still little. It sits in a frame next to our bed. Here's a photo of the same kids today. Not quite the same feeling, huh?
I mentioned that they're all ours. There was some question about this last September. No, there wasn't a mix-up in the hospital. We were contacted by the I.R.S. and told we were being audited. To any foreign friends who might be reading this, the I.R.S. stands for Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. government agency that decides who owes what, in taxes.
Anyway, we were not being audited for any financial reasons. We file the simplest of tax forms anyway. No itemized deductions here. But apparently, the I.R.S. thought that maybe, during the year of 2007, these kids might not be ours. We were audited for our exemptions. Seriously. The fact that we'd been claiming each of them since their birth didn't matter. We had to prove they were ours.
They asked for blood.
Okay, not really, but they did want everything else. It's a little scary to have the I.R.S. tell you that your kids might not really be yours. Well, at least not for the year in question. Lots of things go through your mind. Should I send photos of their life, maybe photos or videos of their birth? What if they decide they aren't ours? Do they try to take them back? :-)
When I asked the nice I.R.S. lady (she really was nice) why we were being audited, she said it was strictly because of our family size. So large families out there, you might want to be aware of that.
This past week we were notified that they did agree, these kids are indeed ours! Yeah! And good for the I.R.S. too. I'd decided that if they didn't come to that conclusion, I was sending them a bill. The cost of braces alone means they owed us money :-) Could you imagine what I could collect from them if I charged them for everything else?
Have a wonderful week.
Blessings,
Marcia
Is that not the craziest thing? Picking on big families...
ReplyDeleteYour children were adorable in that first photo and so pretty and handsome in the second one. What a blessing I know they must be.
What great photos. When they are young, they are so sweet and innocent and smile for the camera; and then they get older and a camera means let's act like goobers! HA! Honestly, doesn't the IRS have anything else to do? Big families are encouraged on this side of the world. I have two friends here, both of which have 6 kids each. You can imagine what things were like when we would get together when the kids were younger. It was like a preschool -- I only ever provided two kids to the mix. HA! Hope you are having a great day. :) Tammy
ReplyDeleteMarcia, I bet you wouldn't have gotten as quick a response as they expect from you. Probably wouldn't even have heard from them!!!
ReplyDeleteGloria
Now THAT is CRAZY! When I got to the singular sentence paragraph that read "they asked for blood", I literally said aloud, "No!"
ReplyDeleteThe IRS is scary and they know they're scary. The IRS is scarier than the police.
Oh.My.Word!
ReplyDeleteDon't they have more important people to audit...you know the one's who are really doing something wrong to the tune of millions!
I'm glad you were able to satisfy them. That is more than a little scary!
Becky K.
I wasn't surprised at all by the request for blood *s* Aren't you glad to know they really are yours?
ReplyDeleteHow scary! I'm glad that you were able to prove that they do belong to you! : )
ReplyDeleteI love the photos! I have so many like that. These days, they take a "normal" one for me and then we take a "crazy" one for them! (and me.. they are fun to look at)
Great pictures.
ReplyDeleteThat is just wild about the I.R.S.
What are they thinking. I am so happy is resolved.
Oh my goodness! I live in THE "large family" state and I've never heard of that happening. It's crazy!
ReplyDeleteGlad you got it all worked out.
We have seven children and there are days I'd *almost* hand one or two over if I were challenged about whether they were ours or not. LOL
I said almost!
That's just CRAZY! I'm glad they decided the kids were all yours . . . wonder what process they used to come to that conclusion?
ReplyDeleteMarcia, you have made my morning. I'm sitting laughing. I know you probably weren't laughing when it happened. We were audited one year when we moved province to province because they didn't think our travel expenses were correct. It too 6 months and they found we owed them $12.00. Probably cost more to audit us than the $12.00.
ReplyDeleteI'm love your pictures. I too a similar picture to your first one yesterday of my children and can't wait until their older to see what they come up with.
How dare they? Man! That is just the craziest thing, isn't it? I can't imagine how you must've felt verifying your own children. They are all cute and I love some silly!
ReplyDeleteBe a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
It's almost funny that the IRS would audit you based on family size! I did say almost, girlfriend :) What a surprise for you - as if all your years of hard work and parenting were not to be believed by the IRS. This is a great story!
ReplyDeleteMy daughter's best friend has 6 kids and she had them within about 7 years (twins like you).
That is so ridiculous! Talk about discrimination! If we don't fit the "mold" (2.3 children & a dog), then we must all be cheating! So silly- and yes the IRS is scary, I think it's because it's so clinical.
ReplyDeleteTHAT IS SO STUPID! WE LUCKED OUT I GUESS WITH OUR 8 KIDS. WHY DOES THE IRS CONTINUE TO BE SUCH AN EMBARASSMENT! AND THE LAST STATEMENT WOULD HAVE BEEN A GOOD IDEA...SEND THEM THE BILLS! SURE GOT A BUNCH OF CUTE KIDS! YOU ARE BLESSED~
ReplyDeleteWow that just about beats all! Glad you're 'allowed' to keep your own kids as they really are a wonderful set of siblings - you really are blessed!
ReplyDeleteBest wishes
Christine
Your children are gorgeous Marcia! Your very blessed indeed! That is so strange about the IRS, guess they didn't like you having so many deductions! LOL! Cindy
ReplyDeleteI wonder if this ever has happened to my aunt and uncle who have ELEVEN children! LOL!
ReplyDeleteYour children are so beautiful. I just had to laugh at the second picture and all the funny faces. And then your oldest with the look on his face! :) (He is so handsome, btw....do you think he would want to be Makenzies pen pal or something???) hahaha!
I am glad the IRS got everything all sorted out....honestly. What a waste of time.
OK, I am seriously cracking up! I can't even believe it is real! IYIYIYI! That is really crazy!
ReplyDeleteLove both pictues!
Blessings to you Blessed Mom,
Leanne
Doesn't the IRS have anything better to do??
ReplyDeleteYour children are so precious.
Sissie
That is just nuts!!! If it were me, I'd say, Of course they are mine. Do you think I'd claim them if they weren't? lol! No, my kids are really great, as are yours. Love the pics!!
ReplyDeleteNancy
Never have had the IRS question my family...but isn't it weird how many people ask if your kids are you and your husband's together...they usually assume it is a "blended family". Some of us LIKE to have largest families...My last one is getting her braces in a couple of weeks...whew!
ReplyDeleteOh that is too funny, Marcia! I've never heard of anyone being audited for family size! What a story you'll have to pass on to your grandchildren! I love your big family and I know you are truly blessed with your 6 children! No wonder that picture is one of your favorites...it would be mine too! How precious! (But I kind of like the 2nd one too)! :) You have a good lookin' bunch there, Ms. Marcia!
ReplyDeleteLove the name Serena Joy! Beautiful! And thank you for the birthday wishes for my Joy! You're so sweet!
Have a great day, my friend!
Tammy
Amazing kids here!! :O)
ReplyDeleteMy son has 6 kids (one set of twins) and daughter has 4, so we know about large families. What I, as a grandmother, know BEST about it.....BLESSED !!
XO bj
Oh Marcia...what a post. Interesting that big families aren't the big thing anymore...or at least unusual to the IRS! Well you go girl...I'm sure you could tell some stories....hospital visits, homework, homeschool...cooking....laundry....cleaning house....OH YES these kids are hers! Have a blessed day!
ReplyDeleteDebbie
I've never heard of someone being audited for family size. You have a delightful family. We have four kids and even that raised some eyebrows.
ReplyDeleteYour kids are so darn cute. Then and now! The IRS needs some remodeling don't you think? They could use a dose of common sense but that's just my opinion. Mimi
ReplyDeleteWell, this is the stupidest thing I have heard in a long time. Don't they ever cross reference back to previous years? Maybe they simply have nothing to do in the office and found pestering families a thing to keep busy with.
ReplyDeleteHugs ~
Heidi
So the issue is finally settled??? I'm so glad they decided in your favour! ::Jill
ReplyDeleteWow your family is amazing..I adore big families seeing I came from a small one. Your children are lovely. xoxo
ReplyDeleteUm....this is like wow....hmm, gotta love the IRS.
ReplyDeleteLOVE the picture of your kids - what a great bunch!
Blessings ~
Wow, I would never have thought they would audit for that. Beautiful family.
ReplyDeleteThose are precious pictures. I have a set of twins too. Emma and Kaydee just turned 12!
ReplyDelete