THE FUTURE IS FRESHLY CUT Robot Lawn Mowers Are Changing Yard Work Forever Have you ever wished your lawn would just mow itself? It might sound like something out of a sci-fi movie, but robot lawn mowers are quickly making one of the most tedious household chores as easy as pushing a button. These smart machines quietly cruise around your yard, handling the trimming while you sit back and relax. With an automower tending to your outdoor space, lawn care is finally getting a little more hands-off and a lot more futuristic. Tech Behind the Trim Robot mowers aren’t new, but they’ve evolved significantly since they first hit the market in the early 1990s. Today, these revolutionary machines are powered by advanced features, such as GPS navigation, built-in Wi-Fi, AI, and intricate obstacle-detection sensors. They are completely self-guided, using boundary wires and sensors to navigate your yard. Some models even have internal cameras to help them get around.
One of the many things I’ve learned in more than 10 years of negotiating with the IRS is this: The only thing that’s certain is uncertainty. BIG RIG, GIANT BREAK: A TRUCK DRIVER’S SURPRISING DEAL Toph’s Tax Triumphs
You just never know how cases will turn out.
When a client came to me about a year ago for help with a $120,000 IRS debt, I wasn’t optimistic about reaching a settlement. As a self- employed truck driver, this client was living paycheck to paycheck. He had filed tax returns every year since 2016, but hadn’t paid any of the taxes he owed. The obstacle to a settlement, however, was that my client had about $100,000 in equity in his home. The IRS is typically reluctant to settle a debt at a big discount when the taxpayer has valuable assets. I understand the agency’s rationale: What’s to stop the taxpayer from turning around, selling the asset, and walking away with a pile of cash, leaving the agency holding the bag? However, we decided to move ahead anyway with an offer in compromise. Even if the IRS rejected it, I believed we would still have a strong chance of negotiating a manageable payment plan that would allow my client to put the problem behind him. We opened the negotiations with a lowball offer of $500. Based on my past experience, I not only doubted that the IRS would accept, but I also doubted the agency would put any counteroffer on the table. I thought we might have to file an appeal to get even that far. And if the IRS did make a counteroffer, I expected them to demand at least $20,000–$50,000.
Effortless Edges Ahead These backyard bots can save you a lot of time and energy with yard work. They run on a schedule,
so you don’t have to worry about making time on your calendar for this chore. If you use smart home devices like Alexa, you can sync up your robotic mower for even easier use. The machine knows just the right height to cut your grass, ensuring it always looks its best without any
guesswork. Robot mowers are also a green technology, making them more environmentally friendly than most gas-powered traditional varieties. With small blades,
bumpers, and automatic shut-off features, robo lawn care is safe, eliminating the risk of hitting rocks or other obstacles.
Built for Your Backyard If you’re ready to leap into the future of lawn care, start your search by getting a solid understanding of your yard’s layout. Some models can spruce up small spaces, while others can cover a lot of ground. If your yard has a slope or uneven ground, you should look for options with traction control or all-wheel drive. Many automowers recharge themselves and will last up to 10 years with proper maintenance. With robotic lawn mowers, your grass will always stay neat without your weekend plans getting cut short. You never know … thanks to these smart devices, yard work may start to grow on you!
But in love, war, and negotiations with the IRS, you never know. You just never know.
To my surprise, the IRS accepted our offer! My client was allowed to keep his house, free and clear. And he had to pay the IRS less than 1% of his $120,000 debt. Our case must have been assigned to the right person at the right time to accept a grand compromise … and so be it. You might say we worked a miracle.
Not surprisingly, my client shed a few tears of joy when he got the news, and quickly posted a five-star review for our firm. This was one to celebrate!
–Toph Sheldon
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