IRS Employees PTSD Group

05/24/2026

Memorial Day feels very somber this year. It’s hard to avoid the obvious question—what would your family member who fought for the U.S. against Hi**er, against Mussolini, against Japan in World War II think about handing over the keys to the country to Donald Trump? Did they serve so Trump could line his own pocketbook and those of family members? So he could tear down the East Wing of the White House to build a ballroom with ever-changing justifications? So he could start a war with Iran in which American lives were lost, and for what?

All important questions. Questions that anyone who supports Trump should be forced to answer as we honor the people who served. Memorial Day is dedicated to mourning and honoring military personnel who died while serving in our Armed Forces, the people Trump has called “suckers” and “losers”. It’s hard for me to imagine a veteran who would believe that Trump’s authoritarian, self-serving approach to government is the right path for this country.

No newsletter tonight beyond that question, which I have been turning over in my mind all week. I’ve been on airport pick-up duty this evening, and I’m going to go ahead and turn in now; there will be plenty to write about in the coming week. I know what my Grandfather’s answer would have been—he would have been out on the streets protesting from the get-go, a proud Navy veteran who imparted his love for this country to his children and grandchildren. We’ll be honoring him on Monday as we gather with friends and family. He would have found lots of reasons to celebrate America, even in this difficult season, including these two goofy dogs who he would have loved and this gorgeous cake one of his grandaughters made for the weekend.

Bella and Elsa: We’ve given up even the pretense that they aren’t allowed on the furniture

Cake!
Even as you enjoy yourself over the long weekend, don’t be afraid to ask people the hard questions, like how would the people we honor on Memorial Day have viewed Donald Trump? It may make people uncomfortable. But that’s better than giving a pass to the president who wants to use taxpayer money to reward people who fomented an insurrection to try and keep him in office after he lost an election. It’s important that we speak plainly about where we are and where our country is right now.

We’re in this together,

Joyce

04/25/2026

AI has discovered me! I am a Star!

Richard M. Schickel, a former 33-year senior IRS revenue officer, authored several books under the "IRS Insiders Guide to Taxes" series, focusing on helping taxpayers navigate audits, debt, and agency procedures. Key titles include What to Do When the IRS is After You, Why the I.R.S. Doesn't Work Anymore, and IRS Whistleblower.
Amazon.com
Amazon.com
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Books by Richard M. Schickel (IRS Series):
What to Do When the IRS is After You: Secrets of the IRS as Revealed by Retired IRS Employees: Co-authored with other retired agents, this guide offers step-by-step instructions on handling IRS collection cases, audits, and negotiation.
Why the I.R.S. Doesn't Work Anymore: An Insider's Guide to the Agency: Details the inner workings of the IRS, offering insights on reducing penalties, interest, and navigating financial hardship cases.
IRS Whistleblower: My 33 years as an IRS Insider will show you the secrets of how to engage the IRS and win: A memoir and guide detailing insider knowledge on how to challenge the agency.
Now is the Best Time Ever to Owe the IRS: A part of the series detailing strategies for tax debt management.
Amazon.com
Amazon.com
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These books aim to demystify IRS culture and empower taxpayers, covering techniques to deal with liens, levies, and seizure actions

03/17/2026

I retired 12 years ago and still have PTSD dreams about my time with IRS. Do you?

01/28/2026

My heart is filled with joy as I look forward to the day when the last old racist, old misogynist, thelast old sexist, is buried deep in his or her grave and we are finally free to just love (or not love) our fellow human beings based not on what they look like but who they are.
Jesus Christ said 'Love Your Neighbor'. He did not say that you had to 'like your neighbor'. Think about it.
We are here to heal and restore you, and to help you grow into the person that your God created in you.

01/08/2026

https://www.canva.com/design/DAG75H8QMNM/YXKYSmLsZAlRswp7gH0ryQ/edit?utm_content=DAG75H8QMNM&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=sharebutton

08/14/2025

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1285434779899264&aggr_v_ids[0]=1285434779899264¬if_id=1755183973804222¬if_t=watch_follower_video&ref=notif

06/19/2025

Do you recall the story in the Bible where David had the opportunity to kill King Saul? It would have been so easy. But David knew that God had installed King Saul as King. He must have had his reasons. I think that God must have approved of President Trump's presidency. I believe that Trump has exposed the ugliness of mankind, the racism, sexism, discrimination, and misogyny towards women, within his own life. He attracts others who think and act like him. He is very good at being a bad model for people.
So David knew that one day he would be King, so he did not fight back, although the Old Testament gave him full authority to do so.

So surround Trump and his ilk with bubbles of unconditional love and "stand your ground." This "Trump Revolt" will crumble when we begin to shift the sands beneath his feet. Pray and ask God how we can all do that in our own small ways.

06/19/2025

It is tough for a sensitive person or empath to witness chaos and fear leading us into a dark hole. Or a bomb shelter, as it may soon be.

Today, it seems like the world is on fire. Invading armies are seizing land, starving innocent men, women, and children, and destroying people and cultures. Millions have been displaced from their lives, their homes, and their families. They join the poor, the elderly, the mentally ill, the hungry, and the 653,104 homeless people already in the United States.

My heart is heavy as I see the greed, lust, and corruption of big business and government that have practically bankrupted our country.

We must come together as a community to put a stop to this. Non-violent protests start first within yourself. You have to say "no" to this s**t. You must establish boundaries so that you do not start believing the lies of others. You have to identify the enemy before you can overpower it. And our most extraordinary power, our greatest strength, comes from the energy that God implanted in each of us—the power of prayer. Please envision with me the enemy right now. Then surround them with an unbreakable bubble of pure, unconditional love. Some will be healed and redeemed, some will choke on all that love. Do it anyway. Peace!

06/16/2025

https://www.threads.com//post/DK55r1ZoluL?xmt=AQF0a4eXlr6J9xVPB6Heh4k3PoIKxAy64P0s3sBTegIBew

06/01/2025

Discover the "Christ energy." It is all around you in the plants and trees, and on the faces of your pets. Then go into a room with strangers and look at each of them. You will see the twinkle in some of their eyes and the sparkle in others. You will know the pain and sadness, too.

In each of these people is the energy of God. The God energy is already in us from birth. We just need to recognize it in ourselves and others. Look into a mirror and gaze deeply into your eyes, and say, "I love you unconditionally." You whole world will soon change.

05/29/2025

https://richschickel.com/prayers-and-methods/

Prayers & Methods Family Healing Prayer Divine Spirit I come before you just as I am. Sometimes I question why things have happened to me and my family. There are times when I look at my life and wonder what went wrong or wonder why something went right.My family, my community, my country, are all i...