Today I went to to see the taxman, to do my taxes. I could do it online, probably, but two attempts a few years ago did not end in anything remotely resembling success, so I just go to the physical bureau - it's not exactly far anyway. And again one huge difference between Taiwan and Germany was obvious: #Taiwan cares about people, for Germany they are an expensive burden.

The closest tax bureau is (like my location) in a rather rural environment, so people go there by personal transportation. There is a parking lot next to the building and the friendly lady you see at the right did actually help people by not only regulating traffic, she suggested parking spaces as far as possible. Originally I wanted to park my bike at the back, because most Taiwanese don't like to walk, so the more remote areas usually have empty slots, but she suggested a spot next to the entrance - thanks! She even held a car back shortly when I left.

This is the tropics, so when the sun shines, it does shine down on you with quite some force. And when it rains, it may rain rather heavily. To counter both, the friendly taxmen (and women) set up protection for times when people may queue. But while it was quite crowded inside, nobody had to wait outside when I was there.

I didn't really want to take photos inside. Of course there is someone next to the number-issuing machine (enter, right hand), who may help you find the right place to go to, two people actually. Foreigners have their separate counter(s) and no other foreigner was there then, so I didn't have to wait. According to the tax law, foreigners are not actually taxed differently from Taiwanese, but even many of the tax people don't know that. Seriously. Very few people in Taiwan actually read laws. I'm one of them.

I suggest at least German and US citizens now take a Valium or do some calming meditation. I spent less than five minutes inside. I didn't take the time, sadly, it was probably close to three minutes. I handed the lady behind the counter my ID and health insurance card (which is used for tax identification - Taiwan has only one national health insurance, not more than 100 like Germany, who does not even dare to call them "national", only "lawfully required"...), she called up my data, displayed them to me on the monitor facing me for confirmation, clicked her mouse a few times, checked if my banking details were still up to date (I get a tax refund again, yeah!), printed my tax declaration, which I had to sign, then handed my IDs back to me.
When this was still done on paper, it was one A3 sheet of which I only had to fill in fields on one side. One sheet. And yes, it is possible to live with that little bureaucracy, I am the living proof.
#myphoto