When A Robot Took Over As Manager
Frieda Boyd has worked at Cavern Softwares Consult all his life, preparing and submitting tax returns for individual customers. But now his job is threatened.
“We want to our customers to get in their refund as soon as possible,” said the robot. “So I expect you to finalize all returns on January 29, the first day IRS accepts returns.”
“But that is one and half weeks from now” Frieda protested. “The window period for filing returns is 68 days from the time IRS starts accepting them.”
“I have factored the tax refund this month for most of our customers, and if we do not hit our target there is no bonus for you,” said the machine. “You know everything is now automated.”
You know the robot means every word it says. There is no more extended room for human error. One week ago, you came in late one minute past eight because the train delayed and your robot boss booked you as a latecomer. That means that two more days of late-coming this month and you lose one months' bonus during the current year. There is no longer any room to negotiate. It enforces rules without mercy or favor.
A Tax Refund is a Loan to IRS
"I have checked through thousands of documents online," continued the robot, "and found that a tax refund is a loan to IRS for free. Think of it this way you get a refund if you have remitted more money to IRS than is required to cover your tax bill for the year. If you pay $25,000 to IRS and your assessed tax bill is $22,000, you are entitled to a refund of $3,000. It is, therefore, better to get back your money and use it as soon as possible."
"I have not thought about it from that angle," you reply, wondering if you will ever do anything right. The machine checks thousands of documents online before making a decision. The company sacked the tax consultant because the robot can obtain all required information and made available in an instant.
Prevent Tax Fraud
“Another point I found in the documents I researched is that filing early can prevent tax fraud,” the machine continued its lecture in the usual monotonous voice. "Some fraudsters who can steal people’s identities, file tax claims on their behalf, and take the money. Filing early nips their plans in the bud because you have already got your tax refund before thieves think of filing.”
“Oh! That is a new revelation,” you admit, feeling stupid. “Let me go and finalize all our client’s tax returns and make sure we file as soon as possible.”
“Very well,” the robot replied, “make sure all returns are ready by Friday this week so we can file on January 29, the first day the IRS accepts returns.”
That machine will drive me nuts, you think. It does not forget, sleep or get tired. It is an expert on tax issues. It does not have a family to look after, a mouth to feed and does not work for a salary.