Man Skips Holiday Reunion Because Of Insane Tax Code

During the holidays, many obstacles arise between people and their families: illness, politics, work.

For Mark Klein, the obstacle was taxes.

“A few years ago I would have liked to take my grandchildren to Christmas tree party,” Klein said Financial Times citing the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. – But I couldn't. (RELATED: Can Republicans Address Affordability in 2026? Here's What They're Planning)

Klein, a Hodgson Russ tax attorney, lives in Buffalo, New York. He “tracks the number of days he spends in Manhattan through an app on his phone, carefully making sure he doesn't exceed 183 days, the threshold at which people are required to pay city taxes,” the Financial Times writes. Going on vacation would put him over that threshold.

Klein advises “some of the richest people in the country.” He reportedly told the Financial Times that “some of his clients fly into New Jersey and wait on one side of the George Washington Bridge, which connects to New York, until midnight to avoid triggering another day in the state.”

Christian Burgos, director of tax services at Pollack and Brant, has revealed an inconvenient truth.

“If you're not keeping track of how much time you spend in a particular jurisdiction during the year, then once you reach the second half of the tax year, you're really going to have to be more careful,” Burgos told the publication. “There may be birthdays or family events that you have to miss. Otherwise, you could get caught in that cord.” (RELATED: JIM RENACCI: The IRS Wants to Do Your Taxes and Make Sure You Pay More)

When a measure becomes a goal, it ceases to be a good measure. When the government says, “If you spend more than six months here, you have to pay taxes here,” people hear, “So I can spend six months here minus one day.”

It would be great if there was a less confusing tax code (for everyone except CPAs). Lighter tax the load would also be great.

Follow Natalie Sandoval on X: @NatSandovalDC