On my way to the airport this morning, I passed a large white van with bold lettering on the side:Ice Machine Service Company.   The moment I saw it, I smiled because it reminded me of a story from years ago at TMC.   One of our merchants—a fast-food restaurant—called our office in a panic because their ice machine had stopped working.   Now, for context… we are a credit card processing company.   Most companies in our industry would have immediately responded with:“Sorry, you’ve reached the wrong company.” And technically, they would have been correct. But at TMC, we’ve always believed customer service is bigger than the specific product you sell. So instead of dismissing the call, one of our team members started asking questions.   “When

Tax Day is the annual deadline for Americans to file their federal income tax returns. Today, most people recognize April 15 as the date when taxes are due, but the history behind it goes back much further.   A Brief History of the Federal Income Tax The United States first introduced a federal income tax during the Civil War between 1862 and 1872 to help fund the war effort. Early taxes were based on assessments rather than voluntary filings, and the rate was set at 3 percent on incomes above $800.   Over time, Congress adjusted the system by lowering rates and increasing the income levels that were exempt from taxation. Attempts to reinstate a permanent income tax in 1894 were ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.