Photograph by Johanna Carson
Final Seal: Tim Pupach of Willow Glen seals his taxes on the evening of April 16, at Able Printing's last tax-day party.
Print shop ends its tax-day tradition of making filing fun
After 22 years, Able Printing ends annual 'Midnight Madness' income tax filing party
By Michelle C. Crowe
While dozens of cars slowly crawled to the Hamilton and Meridian intersection on their way to the Willow Glen Post Office the evening of April 16--income tax D-Day--a few others bypassed the clogged artery and turned into the Safeway Center parking lot. But instead of attempting an illegal bypass around traffic, they stopped at Able Printing to obtain free copies of their completed returns and free tax advice at the annual Midnight Madness party.
With the smell of hot popcorn drawing in curious customers from nearby stores, the Naegeli family described the history of the annual tax-night gathering that has become a tradition over the last 22 years.
"We just decided to make a party out of it," says George Naegeli of Able Printing. He's owned the business since 1964, and now runs the shop with the help of his adult children, Candie, Jan, Karen and Joe. (Karen was elected president of the Willow Glen Business and Professional Association in February.) Except for the cost of stamps, everything is free--and the Naegelis even sort and deliver the letters to the post office--eliminating that long wait in line that's been known to extend past Foxworthy along Meridian and Leigh Avenue along Hamilton. Abundant blank tax forms and free popcorn, drinks and copies, plus access to trained tax assistants, all add up to a fun experience that's a far cry from the usual pain of filling out and sending in those frustrating forms.
"We do make filing fun," admits Candie Naegeli of the family-owned business's long-standing tradition. "Our clients kept asking us if we could please stay open longer on tax day so they could get additional forms and make copies of their returns, and our hours kept getting later and later. We agreed to try it, because I can guarantee you that by 6 p.m., that poor copier at the post office isn't working anymore--it's out of paper or toner or something."
The event usually continues until the very last minute--literally, midnight.
Although most customers were appreciative, one unhappy taxpayer complained about having to pay at all, even though Able was only charging their usual rates. The Naegeli's response was "we're just doing this for fun, anyway"--and the idea of making Midnight Madness a fundraiser was born.
As the family brought in groups such as H & R Block and VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistants), to help people with tax questions, customers showed their appreciation through donations to help continue the service. Often they started off by giving a dollar per form as a token thank-you, while vendors, such as Roger Swendig of Eletrotech, the family's longtime machine technician, have consistently supported the event with more generous donations.
In the past 21 years, the Naegeli's have raised nearly $25,000 for charity through the event. The Diabetes Society, Loaves & Fishes, Martha's Kitchen, Salvation Army, Alzheimer's Respite Daycare Center, Easter Seals and the Humane Society of Santa Clara Valley have all benefited from the Naegeli's efforts and the outpouring of gratitude from their customers.
Although the coinage hadn't yet been totaled by press time, and a few stragglers still planned to add their support, this year's total was almost $1,000--and will likely be more, once the Naegelis add their usual contribution. This year's recipient is a perennial favorite close to the family's heart, the Humane Society. In fact, year-round, Able Printing donates free flyers to pet owners who've lost their pets, and more than one furry, four-legged friend even joined the celebration.
Although people may hate the IRS (which is why it usually provides undercover security at the event), the agency supplied employees to assist people with tax questions--although some were more willing than others. Participating for the third year, Jean Hamel is a volunteer whose boyfriend, an IRS employee, convinced her to help Able customers with electronic filing.
"E-filing's been around since 1986, but a lot of people didn't know about it until recently," says Keith Kershner, who has worked in electronic taxes at the San Jose IRS office for the past four years. "My boss volunteered me tonight, but this is really fun. The IRS's goal for the 2000 tax year was to get 40 percent participation nationally in e-filing for this year--and we achieved 50 percent participation by March 15."
Yet electronic filing, the increased availability of tax forms on the Internet, and the expanded outreach of VITA, have all contributed to a three-year decline in participation at and donations to Midnight Madness--until Monday night.
"This is such a fun event. We always make a good-sized donation just to join the party," says Campbell resident Chris Peterson accompanied by his wife, Mim. "Fifteen years ago, I was on my way to the post office and someone told me, 'Don't go there, just stop off at Able Printing around the corner'--and I've been coming here every year ever since."
Most customers were saddened and surprised to discover that 2001 would be the final Midnight Madness. "If someone hadn't told me this was the last one, I would've just shown up the same as usual next year," Peterson says sadly.
The Naegeli's understand how he feels.
"I know it's sad and disappointing, but in the past several years, there just hasn't been the same level of financial support for the event," admits Candie Naegeli. "We've had a lot of fun with this over time, too, but there'd have to be a really big public outcry of support for us to rethink this. We would like to thank all of our customers, vendors and volunteers throughout the years for making Midnight Madness a success for so long."
Willow Glen, California Since 1992
