Confessions of a Sugar Junky and Don’t Let Your Tax Bill Snowball: Why Not Filing is a Bad Idea

Greetings!

I must confess to being a candy fiend.

Especially at Easter when Peeps and Brach’s Speckled Jelly Bird Eggs are abundant. Okay. So, I eat Jelly Belly jellybeans all year round. It is a bit of an addiction. ☺️ When my sweet tooth craves sugar, I pig out on frozen Peeps.

Now about the Peeps. 🐰

The Dollar Tree sells Peeps in a rainbow hue of colors and flavors. However, I am a purist and typically will buy the plain yellow ones, which was the color I grew up eating, though purple or pink often calls my name these days.

Think 🤔 back to when you were a kid and devoured M&Ms by the bag full, especially the pretty red ones. In 1976 Mar’s replaced the red with orange, though they did not use Red Dye Number 2, which was a suspected carcinogen but felt the public would be confused.

*In 1976, Mars, the candy company that makes M&M’s, eliminated the red version of the candies from their mix. This decision resulted from the public controversy surrounding a synthetic dye called FD&C Red No. 2, also known as amaranth. The dye was used in red food coloring and was linked to cancer in a 1971 Russian study.

Because Red No. 2 was used to color many food products in the U.S., including hot dog casings and ice cream, the public demanded that the government confirm the dye’s safety. The Food and Drug Administration’s subsequent tests produced inconclusive results in humans but found that it caused malignant tumors in female rats. The FDA concluded that the food colorant could not be presumed safe for human consumption and banned it in 1976. Mars reintroduced red M&M’s but kept orange in the bag in 1987, once the panic surrounding anything red had passed.

Fast forward to 2023, and here we go again, only this time it’s Peeps (also Pez and Skittle), though the yellow does not contain the dye. 😀

Peeps marshmallow candies are a staple for many people’s Easter and springtime celebrations. But the dye used to give some Peeps their color—Red Dye No. 3—has some consumer advocates concerned that the dye may be doing more harm than good. “There has been some concern in animal studies with cancer. According to Consumer Reports, the Just Born products that contain Red Dye No. 3 include Peeps Pink Marshmallow Chicks and Bunnies, Peeps Lavender Marshmallow Chicks and Bunnies, Hot Tamales, Peeps Hot Tamales Marshmallow Chicks, Party Cake Peeps, Peeps Fruit Punch Marshmallow Chicks and Peeps Wildberry Marshmallow.

Several states are looking to ban this popular treat. And the manufacturer is looking for the dye to be replaced with a more natural option.

Now that I have shared the secret about my passion for sweet, sugary candy and my dirty little secret about Peeps, they are off my list. 😞 YUCK!!!I

I suppose that since Tax Day is just days away, I should discuss a timely topic….

Paying Your Taxes on Time!!

Don’t Let Your Tax Bill Snowball: Why Not Filing is a Bad Idea

Pay your income taxes on time!! The 2023 income tax return filing season deadline is just days away. Many taxpayers fear having their federal (and state) income tax return prepared. Unfortunately, these folks may owe the IRS money and not have the means to pay their tax obligation. This is particularly true for folks who did not file a tax return last year or have not filed in prior years. Unfortunately, failing to file a tax return is a serious problem that can plague you until it is resolved.

Whether you owe money to the state or the federal government or are expecting a tax refund, there are consequences for failing to file a tax return.

Learn more about Why Not Filing is a Bad Idea by clicking the link below.

Here are the top seven reasons why not filing a tax return is a bad idea.

However, if you’re feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of filing your taxes and worried about not having enough money to cover your tax liability, don’t fret! The good news is that there are options available to you that can help you resolve your tax issue and get back on track.

First and foremost, it’s important to remember that filing your taxes, even if you can’t afford to pay them 💵 right away, is always the best course of action. Doing so can avoid additional penalties and interest charges that could make your situation even more difficult.

Are you ready to tackle your tax problems? Then you should consider speaking with Jeffrey Schneider, EA, CTRS, who is trained in finding the right solutions for you. He can work with you and the IRS to develop a plan for paying off your tax liability over time.

So don’t despair if you’re struggling with taxes – he can help! With the proper support and guidance, you can find a solution that works for you. And finally put your tax worries behind you. As an experienced Enrolled Agent and Certified Tax Resolution Specialist, Jeffrey can help you avoid the anxiety and stress of unfiled returns. 😁

Ali “sweet tooth” Schneider

Director of Business Development

Tax Humor

I’m not going to pay taxes. When they say I’m going to prison, I’ll say, “No” Prisons cost taxpayers a lot of money. You keep what it would have cost to incarcerate me, and we’ll call it even.’
-Jimmy Kimmel