Taxes what when?

With 8 days to spare we finally got our taxes done. I have only had all of the necessary forms and information compiled since Jan 30 just sitting in line of sight glaring at me every day to just get it done. Hoss and I have said to each other at least once a week since January, "we should do our taxes". We are obviously highly motivated people. Anyway, while perusing the web for tax info I came across this verbatim question from a tax payer. Is there some sort of pseudo Darwin Award for these people?

"Q: my tax professional said I have to work to claim EITC??? Why is this true? The Irs should pay me to sit home and not work, after all I voted in Obama."

A tax professional very kindly responded with the following:

"A:The Earned Income Credit was created to encourage people to work, so it is like a reward for working. The preparer is correct, you have to work in order to qualify."

If I were a tax guru I think I would have just provided the definition of earned.

earned, earn·ing, earns

1. To gain especially for the performance of service, labor, or work: earned money by mowing lawns.

2. To acquire or deserve as a result of effort or action: She earned a reputation as a hard worker.

3. To yield as return or profit: a savings account that earns interest on deposited funds.

I also have a Netflix movie to return that has been sitting next to the tax documents since January. The mailbox is just so far away (literally, it is not even on the way to or from our house, it is on a totally obscure street blocks away).