I am by no m
eans a history buff. Therefore, this may be old news to many of you.
With tax season talks intensifying, there also comes the Uncle Sam shout outs. For example, a CNN Money headline today read “Tax Audits: Uncle Sam Wants You!”
Apparently, Uncle Sam was businessman from Troy, New York whose real name was Samuel Wilson. Wilson provided the army with beef and pork in barrels during the War of 1812. The barrels were labeled “U.S.” for the United States, but it was said by soldiers jokingly that the letters stood for “Uncle Sam.” Here is a link to the Library of Congress website where the story is told. Library of Congress
But what does Uncles Sam mean to tax season? In my opinion, Uncle Sam is the Santa Claus of tax season (and not because Uncle Sam has Santa-like features). When you wake up Christmas morning Santa either brought you the presents you asked for or you got some coal. Uncle Sam either writes you a check for your tax refund or he sends you a notice seeking payment of taxes. Also, Santa spends all year finding out who has been naughty or nice — as does Uncle Sam.
Now that you have a better idea of who Uncle Sam is, be on the look out for the poll “Who is the best Sam ever.”