SIDNEY — The city of Sidney’s Revenue Collection Office had two unusually busy “tax” days this year. April 15 has traditionally been the busiest day of the year for filing income taxes. Because Emancipation Day (the day slaves were freed) is celebrated on April 16, it was celebrated in Washington, D.C. on April 15 this year. As a result of the celebration of the holiday in the nation’s capital, the date for filing Income Tax returns was extended to Monday, April 18.
“Every day we have one clerk who works the majority (if not all) of her day at the first window. This responsibility rotates from day to day,” Sidney’s Finance Officer Ginger Adams said.
“As other customers arrive, the other clerks respond. There are certain days when the No. 2 clerk works the majority of the day at the counter. Typically, this is on the utility due date or utility shut-off day,” Adams said.
“On both tax day (April 18) and pre-tax day (April 15), all five windows were staffed all day long,” Adams said.
Because both days were busier than normal, Assistant Finance Officer Renee Dulaney and Adams left their offices and moved to the Revenue Collections Department to assist Revenue Collections Manager Karen Berning with processing mail and answering phone calls.
On Friday, April 15, the clerks waited on 514 individuals. In addition, 276 others filed their returns by mail. In total, the office processed $88,147.03 in income tax revenue Friday, excluding withholding payments.
By comparison, Monday the clerks waited on 489 individuals. In addition, 262 others filed their returns by mail. In total, the office processed $160,141.05 in income tax revenue Monday, excluding withholding payments.
While the office usually closes at 5 p.m., the line still extended out the door on Monday. The staff was finally able to go home shortly before 6 p.m., making for a longer than normal day.
