Former IRS Couple Ready To Help Out

A married pair of former Internal Revenue Service agents is going that extra mile to see that everyone in the county who deserves a federal stimulus payment gets one.

Thirty-year IRS veteran Bill England met his wife, 11-year IRS co-worker Peg, when they worked together for Uncle Sam.

From Sept. 15-19, the Englands will oversee a 10-person team at their church that will help anyone who walks through the door to apply for a $300 check.

The IRS recently estimated that 3,000 county residents are eligible for the federal payment and had not yet applied. Many seniors who do not typically file a federal income tax return are eligible for the cash, but need to file a return by Oct. 15.

"We're here to help the people who don't have a lot of income," said Bill England. "We get to serve the community. This has been my life."

Bill England supervised 300 employees, including his wife, Peg.

"She was a beautiful lady and I started flirting with her," said Bill, with a smile.

"He was a manager and I was a little peon," said Peg. "I was known as Mr. England's wife. The reason I tried to do my best was that I didn't want to embarrass him."

Bill, 87, loved his job and didn't mind when a new acquaintance would shy away when they first discovered his profession.

"I just told them a joke about a sign I had above my desk when I worked for the IRS: 'In God we trust, all others I audit.'"

It was actually Peg, 85, who decided which returns should get a little bit more attention or an audit. She was able to scan 200 returns an hour, while looking for missing information and information that stood out.

Bill England retired 30 years ago and collects more retirement per year than he did at his peak salary. He explained a major reason why he worked as a tax man.

"Private industry paid better, "he said. "But there were so many fringe benefits. With our pensions, we're comfortable."

The Englands will not be able to help those who have already submitted a tax form this year, or anyone who was included as a dependant by another filer. They will help those seeking to fill out a form.

The Englands will meet at Sebring Christian Church, 4514 Hammock Road, Sept. 15 - Sept. 19, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The church is about 2.5 miles west of U.S. 27.