Tax laggards sprint to airport

Procrastinators rush to an all-night post office at TIA to get their tax returns in before Monday's midnight deadline.

[Times photo: Stefanie Boyar] Dressed as Uncle Sam, Felice Follo of Palm Harbor collects tax return forms from drivers on Monday night, The last-minute filers lined up near a special tent outside the post office at Tampa International Airport.

By ANGELA MOORE

© St. Petersburg Times, published April 17, 2001

TAMPA -- Some wore sweatpants and a disheveled look. Others wore business suits, looking as if they'd just left the office.

But almost all of the dutiful taxpayers who streamed into the all-night post office at Tampa International Airport late Monday had one thing in common.

They looked stressed.

Rushing to get their 2000 tax returns postmarked before Monday's midnight deadline, they honked horns at slowpokes backing out of parking spaces, or sprinted across the lot to take their place in a winding line.

But once their envelopes were postmarked and taken, they relaxed. They strolled. Worried frowns turned into smiles.

Some, such as Rebecca Scott of Tampa, were embarrassed they had waited this long.

"It's just because I'm lazy," she said. "I procrastinated."

But Scott had an excuse.

Her certified public accountant retired this year and she was faced with doing her own taxes for the first time in her life. She survived, and will be getting money back.

Pam Ketchum of Lutz dreads this time of year because she usually owes money.

"I put it off because I thought I was going to have to pay," Ketchum said. "But I'm actually getting back $466."

Ketchum filled out her return Sunday with the help of a neighbor. Knowing now that she will receive a refund, she wished that she had filed sooner.

"I could really use the money," Ketchum said. "But at least it's over. At this point, I'm not going to worry about it."

Members of the Libertarian Party, which believes that no American should have to worry about income tax ever again, gathered in front of the post office, toting signs that read: "When is Enough Enough?" "It's Your Money, Vote Libertarian," and "Honk if You Hate the IRS."

And yes, that last one got quite a few honks.

Michael Jones of Orlando, in Tampa on business, said he always waits to the last minute because he always owes money to the IRS. It's enough, he said, to make you want to become a Libertarian.

"I agree with them, to a certain extent," Jones said. "There should be a better system in place for the government to get its money. I mean, this is chaotic right now. People are stressed out, rushing. I saw two accidents on the way in."

Uncle Sam, or postal employee Felice Follo, said the post office, for its part, tries to make things as painless as possible.

"I just try to get people smiling," Follo said. "I know it's a rough time giving money."

As Follo waves, a woman smoking a cigarette leans her head out of an Oldsmobile Cutlass and yells, "Hey Uncle Sam! We do this for you!"

Follo smiled.

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