In Spain, May and June is the tax return season and locals are often to be seen carrying the brightly-coloured information leaflets of the Agencia Tributaria, or tax office. In "The Tax Collectors" (1542), Marinus van Reymerswaele's depiction of pre-digital collection methods, a taxpayer whose banking entity bypass system is remarkably similar to my own odd sock account takes great pleasure in handing over his dues in the knowledge that his contributions are to be used to provide quality public services.