Crap and other happenings

I hate paperwork, especially when it is impossible to understand and does not benefit me in the least.

Case in point: My PepsiCo stock.
Last week I mentioned that I was finally moving in the right direction to stop receiving $0.37 cheques four times a year. Today I finally received the paperwork in the mail. The first step was easy, it just involved filling out a simple form regarding direct deposit. Fine and dandy until I'm at the end and realize that the other person on the account has to sign the declaration as well. (It's a joint account). So I had to call Paul and ask his permission to forge his signature, (don't ever ask an accountant if you can forge his signature...) needless to say Paul will be over here any time to sign the stupid form.

Okay, so moving right along.... the next form looked innocent enough. It is a US 'Certificate of Foreign Status of beneficial Owner for United States Tax withholding'. Accompanying this form was a 8 page manual on how to fill out the form. No problem, I am quite literate and have been on occasion able to follow directions...

So, hmmm, what do we have here... name, address, SIN if not US citizen... no problems yet. Ah-ha! US tax payer identification number, hmmm, I better refer to the manual for that one...blah blah blah, wading through legal-ease.... okay, 'If you do not have a SSI number and are not able to get one, you must get an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)' hmm, this does not look good... 'To apply for an ITIN file form W-7 with the IRS.... It usually takes 4-6 weeks to get an ITIN' Not good at all! Next they'll ask me for an ID 10 T number (figure it out), I should have one of those somewhere...

I go to the IRS website, and after some rooting around, I find the form section, and dontcha know that there are 6 different types of W-7 forms? Hmm, which one do I chose? I download all the PDF files and of course, it is the last form. Oh yes, the document includes 3 pages of directions on how to fill out the form. The form, and the instructions are now resting comfortably in my recycle box.

Do you remember that all I'm trying to do here is avoid getting $0.37 cheques four times a year....

Paul Foster to the rescue! He just left... he's pretty sure that they can withhold the right amount of tax automatically without the ITIN. Whew!

So now left to do, (besides mail the paperwork back to the Bank of New York and PepsiCo), I still have things on my list from last week that I thought were completed, but apparently not.

- Billy must sign the paperwork regarding the refund from the mortgage insurance company.
- Follow up with our investment guy/ personal banker that the property tax issue is taken care of.

Oh, I guess that's it. But:

- I've been made captain (due to lack of volunteers) of our Wednesday night volleyball team. That means I still have to find out Dave B.'s birthdate, home and work numbers, and address, fill out more paperwork, and attend stupid meeting at 10am tomorrow in Windsor. Ugh.
- Have to call client C and figure out time for final inspection of property, make sure she has all utilities set up, insurance in place, mail forwarded, and questions answered by the homeowners by early next week.
- Make arrangements for another final inspection
- Concerns about client C's dishwasher
- Concerns about client D's electrical and when that will be completed.
- Concerns about the listing of client F's home. When? Is it ready? Call me!

All in all, I guess it's just a day's work. I shouldn't complain, as I have complete flexibility, and often very little time invested in my 'jobbie' (hobby-job).

Well, I guess that's enough ranting for today. I hope one day to wake up and have my conscience completely cleared of things I must do. Until then...!