Taxman dies unnoticed at desk (NOT the FReeper)

news.com.au ^ | 20Jan04 | correspondents in Helsinki

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

Taxman dies unnoticed at desk From correspondents in Helsinki 20Jan04

THEY say only two things are sure in life, death and taxes, but rarely do they come together as in the case of the Finnish taxman who last week died at his desk and went unnoticed for two days.

The 60-year-old auditor died last Tuesday, but it took his colleagues until Thursday to notice that he wasn't just silently poring over tax returns, tabloid Ilta-Sanomat reported Monday. Officials declined to comment on the cause of death or confirm the age of the man, saying they would only comment on how it was possible that he could be dead for two days at work without anybody noticing.

"The reason for this was caused by many coincidences," Anita Wickstroem, director at the Helsinki tax office, told AFP.

"He was very much working alone and often visiting companies, while his friends and colleagues who used to have lunch or coffee with him were busy in meetings or outside the office at the time," she noted.

There are some 30 workers in the auditing department where he worked, and a total of 100 on the same floor, Wickstroem said.

Finns, who enjoy a comprehensive welfare system, pay among the highest taxes in the world.

This report appears on NEWS.com.au.

[Taxman]

Rumors of my demise have been greatly exaggerated!

Besides, when I go out, it will be in a blaze of glory, not stuffed behind a desk!

[Taxman]

Aw, shucks. Thankee, Ma'am. Glad someone is looking out for me.

[Taxman]

Yup. 'Tweren't me. an "Urban Legend" Taxman. Last I checked, I am not an "Urban Legend."

I are the Real Thang!

[dixie sass]

Okayyyyyyyyyyyy!

[Syncro]

Heh...

[KangarooJacqui]

Maybe the phrase "a legend in your own lunchtime" (from the Australian vernacular) would fit better here ;-) ... anyway, I'm glad you're still with us.

[Iowa Granny]

Gee! For a minute there I thought I'd missed out on the steak dinner you owe me. Glad to read you are okay.

[Redcloak]

This thread gets kicked off at 6:07:42...

1 posted on 01/19/2004 6:07:42 PM PST by HuntsvilleTxVeteran

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To: HuntsvilleTxVeteran

Urban legend, folks.

6 posted on 01/19/2004 6:16:58 PM PST by william clark

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...and 9 minutes, 16 seconds later, fact-checking  FReepers have it pegged as an urban legend. The pros at News.com, on the other hand, have yet to realize their mistake and have not yanked this bit of mythology. Score another one for the rank amateurs!

Urban legend, folks.

[Devil_Anse]

LOL, now you've got me wondering what would happen if our dear insider troll died in its cubicle. Would anyone notice at first?

[Freedom2specul8]

Oh my you are right..I'm so sorry about that. It didn't dawn on me that he could mistaken for our taxman. :(

[Freedom2specul8]

I think of our troll as some drooling evil lib, with Dirty Underwear (that's what another freeper calls those from the DU site), sitting in front of the puter for hours..plotting, scheming, planning and writing for hours and hours. :)

[Taxman]

No such luck!

Glad we are now at steak instead of hamburger.

Will we see you at CPAC?

FReegards

[Taxman]

LOL!

My fifteen minutes (I don't get a lunch hour) of fame?

I, too, am pleased that I'm still with you.

[Taxman]

Laugh while you can, dude!

Will we see you at CPAC?

[Taxman]

Thass Right!

[Johnny_Cipher]

Score another one for the rank amateurs!

I resemble that remark. I shower once a week whether I need it or not.