The people who want your taxes, the IRS, have ways to ensure you are able to pay and offer avenues for avoiding penalties depending on your circumstances. However, even if you manage to dodge the penalties, you should always pay your taxes as soon as possible, as the longer you wait the worse things can get.

Just in case you need a reminder on how wonderful it can be to deal with the IRS, this week’s article goes through the experience of WSJ writer Laura Saunders waiting in line at the IRS for 5 and a half hours after being unable to reach them by phone and highlights the staffing and funding issues of the organization. It demonstrates one of the best parts of having an accountant: Someone to contact the IRS for you!