Attempting To Prepare Income Tax Return Information

It’s income tax time.  The Ides of March became the Ides of April many, many years ago.  This year, the deadline has been pushed to Tuesday, April 18.  I’ve tried to find out why April 18, to no avail.  Although April 15 is a Saturday, that can’t be the reason.  The following Monday is April 17; so, it can’t be the fact that April 15 is Saturday.  Anyway, that gives tax payers three more days to get their returns in to the Feds.

I set my last Saturday (April 2) to put all of the information together for my accountant to work with.  Terri is really good.  I’ve worked with her for three years, now.  I really thought that one day would do to pull the necessary records together.

During this past year (2022), I’ve collected everything that I thought I would need in one place.  Years before, it seems that all of those documents were scattered through the myriads of paperwork that I have in my house.  Sister Clara kept telling me to keep it all in one place.  A file folder.  An accordion file.  Something – some place – that I could go to on the appointed day and find everything.  But, as she always says, I never listened to her.  So, income tax day was spent searching for documents to use for my information for Terri; income tax day usually ended up being income tax week.  This year of 2022 was to be different.  Saturday would be the day to get the report ready.

Saturday begins with my usual activities.  Rise.  Eat.  Feed the dogs – Katie is with us; then, they go outside and back in.  Dress.  Now, attack the paperwork.  There was; about two inches of records to sort and use to document income and expenditures during this last year.  Two types of income:  Social Security and state pension.  That’s easy.

Now, expenditures.  Charities.  Check.  Health insurance.  Check.  I forgot to complete the organizing form for Terri.  So, the search for expenditure documentation gets set aside until the form is complete.  The form reminds me of several items that need to be included.  The dogs want to go out, again.  And, as long as I’m up, I go to the basement to take care of laundry.  And, the phone rings.  It’s Sister Clara, and we take time to chat.  I tell her about my day’s plan.  I resume my work.  I talk with her several times¸ after that.  The last time, she says, “Aren’t you supposed to be preparing you tax information?”  I can’t argue with her, so I go back to work.

I’m looking for documents that I need to show house and car taxes.  I find them, but it takes some time.  And, the dogs want to go out again.  And, be fed.  Again.  And, there’s more laundry to take care of.  I really need to eat something for supper.

By nine o’clock¸ I’m tired and work has slowed to the point that I’m going to start making mistakes.  It’s a good idea to stop and finish, tomorrow.  Still, I stay up until midnight – my usual bedtime.

Sunday starts in much the same way Saturday started.  Then, it’s back to paperwork.  I realize I have not asked my  pharmacy for a print out of all of my purchases for the year; but, it’s Sunday, and I can’t do that until tomorrow.  I need that document to count the number of times I had to drive to the pharmacy in the year – medical mileage.  I remember that I need a similar document from one of my medical providers.  I’ll have to call both places early on Monday morning.  That means that this information won’t be completed until sometime Monday.

As it turns out, it takes until Tuesday to get all of the information together and documented properly.  Daughter #1 will take me to Terri’s to deliver the prepared materials.  Terri will work her magic and send the income tax return off to the IRS electronically.  It will reach there by April 18, I’m sure.

For next year, I’ve made some notes about those things that I’ve had to spend time searching for this year.  Maybe, it will be easier.  Maybe, not.

Be Safe and Be Well.
The Cranky Crone
Thoughtful comments are appreciated.