There is a first for everything

I have been working for seventeen years and more, and have dutifully paid my tax every year without exception.

Not that I have a choice really, as it is directly deducted from my salary every month, and always exceeding what I need to pay, so every year I have to claim the excess back. Every single year.

And of course, the government does not pay me interest for these extra-charged amount. Bet they charge us interest if we pay less. Also if I put the amount that I actually need to pay in investment or fixed deposit and only pay the correct one lump sum annually, not only do I not have to go through the process of claiming the excess back, I also get the benefit of extra income from investment or interest from fixed deposit. But no, my money is helping the government earn interest instead of for myself. Bollocks.

Anyway, as I am not in business of faking tax return, I have never been worried about being audited. In fact, colleague friends used to approach me for receipts when they get audited, because they know I actually have them.

Well, there is a first for everything, received an email a few days ago saying I am being audited for 2022 tax return. Interesting documents they wanted me to show them, instead of receipts for books, sports equipment, computer, medical check up, that sort of things that I diligently keep, they asked for life, medical, education insurance statements, pension fund statement, and travel related receipt.

Granted that particular year there was a special incentive for local travel, I claimed that since I did had a local vacation with the family, and yes I have the receipt.

However I don't have the insurance statements and my pension fund statement. The insurance company stopped sending paper statement a while back and forced me to create yet another login or download yet another application on mobile phone, which I refuse to do. I have way too many logins I can no longer keep up, I don't need another that I only use once per year that guarantee I will forget the login name and password of.

I know my insurance premium and EPF contribution every year exceed the tax return limit by a sizable margin so I assume everyone is the same, and that there is no reason for people to fake this and hence no reason for people to audit these. Guess I am wrong.

So ironically, of all things, the insurance and pension fund statements gave me the most trouble getting hold of, while the rest are readily available.

Anyway, just noting down the first audit of my tax return. Not at all worried, but don't care for the additional hassle. Every month you take extra of my money without giving me interest, and still you want to pester me.

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