Category Archives: Personal Matters

My FOIA request to US Customs and Border Protection

July 21, 2012 by Frederick | 3 Comments

I was bored. At 4 in the morning. And I had just received a summary of a story about someone who sent an FOIA request to US Customs and Border Protection.

So I decided to do the same.

Here’s a redacted copy of my letter to CBP requesting two categories of records.

US CBP FOIA Request thumbnail

If you’re a (non-)resident alien, try it too — you can use this as a template!

Share on Tumblr

March 31, 2012
by Frederick
Comments Off

I don’t hate taxes. I just hate filing taxes.

The IRS and the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue have made perhaps the most convoluted forms and instructions I’ve ever used. No wonder tax preparation software is so popular.

Also, WHY in the world would Pennsylvania make people round to the nearest dollar for all amounts? It’s a prescription for inaccuracy and accumulated rounding. I’m sure there are accountants out there cringing at the very thought.

Share on Tumblr