The Simpsons’ Montgomery Burns explains (sorta) the fiscal cliff

December 5, 2012

Oh how I dread the day that Bart, Homer and the rest of The Simpsons are no longer on the air.

But until that sad day eventually arrives, we all should be thankful not only for the animated program's skewed sense of humor, but also for its educational component.

In the video below, for example, Springfield's resident psychopath magnate explains the fiscal cliff.


OK, maybe Monty didn't quite cover everything. You can read more about the fiscal cliff in:

Will you be 'rich' under tax law changes?

Extra year-end tax move considerations in 2012 as the fiscal cliff looms

President Obama takes to Twitter to chat about the impending fiscal cliff

Federal gasoline tax increase proposed as part of fiscal cliff solution

Investors sell stock ahead of fiscal cliff, lock in 15 percent capital gains

Zero capital gains tax rate set to disappear on Jan. 1, 2013

Rep. Wile E. Coyote, aka a cartoonish Congress, teetering on the fiscal cliff edge

Obama threatens veto of any 'fiscal cliff' bill that doesn't hike taxes on the rich

Thanks to Luke Landes, founder of Consumerism Commentary, for finding and sharing this clip.

Share:

The More Tax Posts tab at the top of this page will take you to, well, more tax posts. You also can search below for a tax topic. 

Latest Posts
6 tax moves to consider this June

June 3, 2026

Definitely take a break this June. But taxes don’t take vacations. So, you also should…

Read More
Tax Season 2026 Continues!

We made it. Tax Day 2025 is finally over. For most of us. When the filing season started on Jan. 26, millions who were expecting refunds filed immediately. Most of us got our returns to the Internal Revenue Service by April 15. But plenty of taxpayers also got extensions. They are looking at an Oct. 15 filing deadline.

Those procrastinating filers aren’t a problem. In fact, the IRS appreciates taxpayers who take time to fill out their 1040 forms correctly. It also is grateful that tax submissions are spread out a bit, especially now that the IRS is a leaner agency. Processing returns is easier when they arrive throughout the year instead of in massive bunches.

But enough about Uncle Sam’s tax collection issues. The focus now is on all y’all who filed for extensions, giving you another six months to complete your return. Since your new mid-October due date will be here before you know it, let’s get started now on meeting it.

The ol’ blog is here to help you finish up your extended Form 1040. You can start with January’s tax tips page, which has links to the rest of the year’s tips by-month collections. You also can peruse various tax categories for more tailored advice by clicking on the More Tax Posts drop-down menu at the top of this (and every) page.

And to make sure you don’t miss your new filing deadline, the count-down clock below will let you know just how much time you to file by Oct. 15. At the latest.e. (Note: I’m in the Central Time Zone, so adjust accordingly for where you live.)

Comments