Better Late Than Never

I was worried earlier today over an official letter from the Treasury Division of the City of Boston. Fearing an audit or even worse, I was delighted by the check I saw when I opened the letter. The check is for 47.50, which is not a small sum, but it is not a “sell the house and move to Hawaii” sum either.

I “earned” this refund check in a strange way. After I moved to Minneapolis in 2005 I received a motor vehicle exise tax notice for 2006 for this amount. At the time, I was advised by the registry of motor vehicles, and the text on the back of the letter, that I should pay the bill and then request a refund. I paid the bill and requested the refund, and it took six years for me to get it!

I am sure there is a back story to this tale. Did it take six years because that is their standard operating procedure, or did it take six years because there was a mixup in the paperwork? Well, better late than never!