The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 29, 2015
THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME
APRIL 22, 2021
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Your
15
Money
Shakespeare the Tax Cheat A Drama in Two Sonnets By Allan Rolnick, CPA
One April day, in 1564
Today we think of Shakespeare’s clever quatrains. Yet he was so much more than just a scrivener.
(We know the month, but sadly not the date)
His businesses included trading grains
The Bard the world would someday all adore Was born to write the plays we’d see as great.
And storing them for buyers making dinner. But sometimes business prompts a hard discussion: What separates a trader from a hoarder? How much to charge with no ill repercussion? It seems he charged too much for law and order.
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And so, it came in 1598 He faced tax prosecution from the state. To cheat, or not to cheat, that is the question: We all know no one likes to pay their taxes. But sadly, taxes aren’t a mere suggestion And Shakespeare put himself above the masses. The verdict? Well, today, we’re left without one. The answer, “free” or “guilty,” lost to mystery. It’s safe to think that penalties were none — Or else we’d see the stain on Shakespeare’s history. So, how are we to think about this Bard? The artist, now revealed as merely human. We still revere his words with high regard, Accompanied by moneywise acumen. And no, we can’t resent his pain at paying. We sympathize with seeing him disobeying!
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Allan J Rolnick is a CPA who has been in practice for over 30 years in Queens, NY. He welcomes your comments and can be reached at 718-896-8715 or at allanjrcpa@aol.com.
