Friday again. YAY. This has been a week of taxes. Ugh, spit. It seems every year they become more complex and take more time to complete. Oh, I know what you are saying. “You do your own taxes?” Yes, I do. I have been doing them for thirty years and before that, I had a tax guy for four years. Before that, I did my taxes for 21 years. The tax guy (Big Eight firm) was a requirement by the company I worked for so there would be no conflict between personal and business. The Big Eight guy would drive me up the wall since I never seemed to have the right documentation in the right place at the right time. I spent so much time chasing requests for things that once my tour was over with the company I vowed to go back and do my own. After all, I am a business school graduate with a concentration in finance. What could be so hard? Also, I have my friends at Turbo Tax to help me out. So there you are. The tax law changes have done little but add more paperwork which I just love. (don’t believe it). My John Ku today discusses the frustration of missing things at tax time. I hope you like it.
Lost by John W. Howell ©2016
All systems ready,
Burning the midnight candle. . .
Can’t find the W2.
This is great, John. I did my taxes this week too…well, my father did. I love that sign! Happy Friday!
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Thanks Jill. Good ole dad. I used to do daughters as well but she is now in the short form territory. have a good one.
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I feel for you on that. Taxes never go smoothly. There’s always that one form I missed or something that showed up after I sent the paperwork in. It’s like taxes are designed to drive people insane.
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Well said. I have been driven close to insane several times. 🙂
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Wonder if IRS agents get bonuses depending on how many citizens they drive into a padded room.
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“And now for the IDIOT award (I Drove Insane Our Taxpayer) here’s Agent Sampson.”
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He cannot accept the award because of an audit. So here’s the auditor of the auditor who is auditing him to accept.
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I can see that happening
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TGIF, John! I think I’ve mentioned before that our taxes are pretty simple (for now), but we still go to our “tax lady.” When we first went to her, 25 years ago, we were a bit of a mess: between the two of us, we had had five different jobs in one year. It was quite painful. Gloria took most of the sting out and we’ve been with her ever since. My husband has an MBA and could easily do our taxes but he enjoys meeting with Gloria and consulting with her about our future finances.
She laughs that we really don’t need her, but she appreciates that we still come in. It’s more like a social visit now. To be honest, I don’t ever really want to have to do my own taxes, so I’m grateful that we have Gloria 🙂 More power to you that you do your own.
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You are fortunate to have Gloria. Happy weekend Marie. 🙂
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John, I can soooo relate! I took mine to the accountant’s this week, too. Fortunately, I had all the documentation required, but it never ceases to amaze me how complex the process is. By the way, Domer’s a finance grad, too (but for now, he’s “letting” me handle this aggravation, ha!)
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What a good boy.
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It seems to be a matter of driving myself crazy, or paying someone else to drive me crazy.
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That is the way I look at it. I can always tell myself to take a hike.
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Did any non-US people translate (and embellish) the last form as ‘will to live’? 😉 Sorry – I’m a thoroughly retired government (civil service) pensioner so my taxes are kind of moot and get done by a nice computer somewhere or other… Yes, I know – you hate me! 😀
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Could never hate you Jan.
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Taxes, what a nightmare they are John. I gave on up on doing them myself. The Big Eight guy is probably still driving people up the wall today. Enjoy the Margarita.
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Thanks Guy. I’m sure he is. I can see his frown like it was his taxes he was doing.
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The only problem I have with Turbo Tax is figuring out how to buy the cheap version that I want. They always want start with he questions and try to get me to buy the version General Motors uses. Other than that, taxes are jusy another thing.
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I know right? I have to get the home and business to get all the forms etc. Still beats paying some guy to make a mistake that I could make myself.
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🙂
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🙂
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I studied social law and had to do sociology. I seem to remember a law that said that administrations always make sure they stayed in existence with creating more and more but entirely unneccerary laws and paperwork. Very true in my experience and especially when it comes to tax ppl
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Yes. More paper work is a sure way to remember the bureaucrat responsible.
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I hate tax time. I used to do my own but found a nice fellow who does them for me now. Still it’s a scramble making sure all the statements are where they should be. Grrr.![:/](https://s0.wp.com/wp-content/mu-plugins/wpcom-smileys/uneasy.svg)
Your haiku captures the frustration. 😀
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Thanks Tess. Grr is right. Where is that W2 anyway?
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There’s always something you cannot find just to get you wound up.![:/](https://s0.wp.com/wp-content/mu-plugins/wpcom-smileys/uneasy.svg)
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I am buried in receipts too. I don’t envy you. Hugs from afar.
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Thank you. An afar hug is the sweetest. Hugs
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John, taxes done, but not by me! Not in the least interested in figuring out the process. My tax guy submits them electronically, I sign. I pay him. I get refunds. No fuss. No frustration! Good luck with yours. Your brain is geared for finance, lucky you! 💛 Elizabeth
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Thanks Elizabeth. I actually enjoy doing them.
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Yay! 🎉 As well you should with financial expertise! I still count on my fingers sometimes! 😏 Happy Friday! 💛 E.
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Thank youHappy Friday to you.
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We’re retired now and living in India. We don’t get enough money to make income tax necessary here or in the U.S. As they say “Only in India”.It’s one of the few benefits of being poor by U.S. standards but well off by Indian standards. 😀 — Suzanne
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Seems like a good balance. Thanks Suzanne
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It doesn’t help when your an indie author and you have a pile of W-2’s from Amazon.
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Lucky you on the piles. 🙂
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