Author / zbicyclist

by zbicyclist

Still Taxing After All These Years, Schedule 1-A

Yes, this is a repeat, with some new additions — like that US tax form, which has added new complexities this year. So we’re splitting it into two parts, like Schedule 1 has become Schedule 1 and Schedule 1-A.

The short form deserves a geezer alert, as it was discontinued years ago. There’s a 1040-SR now for seniors — the only difference is that it’s printed in larger type.

https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/extension-of-time-to-file-your-tax-return , the instructions to file an extension, might come in handy if you’re like this woman.

It’s not going to work, Larry.

Actual IRS tax tips, if you need last minute help: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-tax-tips including, for example, ways to pay over time.

by zbicyclist

Captcha

Dan Thompson‘s Brevity usually involves a pun. In this one, we have someone sweating because of the Captcha. But the man isn’t a Frankenstein’s monster. Tyrell Property is a British real estate company, but Dan Thompson is an American cartoonist living in North Carolina. The two words seem to be Epslo and vector. EPSLO stands for “End of Program Student Learning Outcomes.” It refers to the specific competencies and skills that students are expected to achieve upon completing an educational program, particularly in fields like nursing. These outcomes guide the curriculum and assessment of students to ensure they are prepared for entry-level practice.

That’s a hint at the joke: Epslo would ordinarily be assessed at the end of a program, but here they are being asked for it in order to enter the program.

Can the joke really be this convoluted and obscure?

Update, courtesy of commenter Tstyle7B on GoComics: “The Tyrell Corporation is a famous fictional high-tech firm from the Blade Runner universe, founded by Eldon Tyrell and based in Los Angeles. It is known for designing and manufacturing humanoid, genetically engineered androids called “replicants” for use as slaves and soldiers in Off-world colonies.”

So, after all this, it’s not a CIDU for me anymore. But maybe it will be for others, or maybe having spent this much time on this post, I’m going to post it, regardless. [not “irregardless”]

That still leaves us with the unanswered question: Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?

by zbicyclist

Still Taxing After All These Years, Schedule 1

Yes, this is a repeat, with some new additions — like that US tax form, which has added new complexities this year. So we’re splitting it into two parts, just as 1040 Schedule 1 has become Schedule 1 and Schedule 1-A.

The short form deserves a geezer alert, as it was discontinued years ago. There’s a 1040-SR now for seniors — the only difference is that it’s printed in larger type.

Actual error message from IRS.gov on the day tax forms (and estimated payments) were due, April 17, 2018. Not funny. Note the difference in the set of dates cited for the outage.

Typos continue in 2026. Here’s a notice from January, 2026 that suggests a form was corrected in the future.

(This wasn’t from the IRS. This is a notice from a well-known brand of tax preparation software.)