Top Ten Things Not To Do While Doing Your Taxes

~ John W. Howell
Image by Steve Buissinne from Pixabay

 

This post was originally published on February 17, 2014 by Marie Bailey and me. Since this year’s income tax deadline is fast approaching, I thought it would be good to review.

Top Ten Things Not To Do While Doing Your Taxes

10.  While doing your taxes, do not allow the cat to sit on your keyboard. If you do, at best, you may miss a couple of deductions.  At worst, your kitty may just add a few zeroes to your tax bill.

9.  While doing your taxes, do not have a hot drink sitting on some of your worksheets. If you do, at best, you could tip it over and ruin a few papers. At worst, you could tip it into your lap and jeopardize your love life till you heal.

8.  While doing your taxes, do not allow your dog to play with the computer cord. If you do, at best, you may run out of battery. At worst you may need to run out to the vet to help Fido overcome his electro shock treatment

7.  While doing your taxes, do not allow the family to play video games on your computer between sessions. If you do, at best, some memory may disappear. At worst, the IRS may get a Madden football game instead of your 1040.

6.  While doing your taxes, do not leave your computer without saving your file. If you do, at best, you might have to remember all your half-truths all over again. At worst, you may be unable to reconstruct your perfect return and might end up owing more than you had planned.

5.  While doing your taxes, do not think the IRS is okay with rough guesses or estimates of the numbers. If you do, at best, you will never hear from the IRS. At worst, you will have to explain your numbers during an audit to a disbelieving agent with a cattle prod.

4.  While doing your taxes, do not forget to sign your return even if you don’t believe it to be true. If you do, At best, the return will bounce back. At worst, the lack of signature will trigger a visit from NSA who will want to know all about you.

3.  While doing your taxes, do not try to get away without attaching a check if you owe money. If you do, at best, the government will send you a nasty note. At worst, you will find out how little a sense of humor the IRS really has as the gavel falls on the final auction of your house.

2.  While doing your taxes, do not drink alcohol even if you think it will help. If you do, at best, you might be shocked by the amount you deducted. At worst, you may be shocked to find you have already mailed the return on which you took too many deductions.

1.  While doing your taxes, do not be discouraged enough to decide not to file. If you do at best, you will never sleep again. At worst, you may get all your living expenses paid, but may have a roommate who wants to go steady.

 

83 thoughts on “Top Ten Things Not To Do While Doing Your Taxes”

  6. This may be the first year in my lifetime that I’ve finished mine early. You have some great tips I could have used in the past. This year, I’d add one more: don’t think the chaos at the IRS is a reason for non-filing, as some apparently do.

    Liked by 1 person

  8. Several years ago, I forgot to list one item on our tax return. Received a letter from the IRS (“this is not an audit”), along with three months of late fee charges. It was definitely my mistake, but having to pay those late fees really ticked me off.

    And yes, the cat consultants are locked out of the room until I have completed our taxes!

    Liked by 1 person

  15. Oh, I never include the cheque when I file… What if by some stroke of luck, the accountant forgot a deduction and I actually get money? A girl can dream, yes?

    Liked by 1 person

  17. Ugh, tax season!! I don’t know why I’m complaining. My husband does our taxes which are, thankfully, fairly simple. But he’s putting it off. Given the current state of things, he’ll probably leave filing until the last minute 😉

    Liked by 1 person

  18. What a great list, John. It gave me the chills just imagining one sidestep or another. I’m ever so grateful to our tax whisperer. The Return is in the mail! 😊

    Liked by 1 person

  21. No cats, dogs or coffee . . . and I can’t say I haven’t broken all these rules before.

    But at least I never filed an Oscar Madison return, which includes but is not limited to, receipts on mustard stained napkins.

    Liked by 1 person

  22. Our stuff is complicated this year with the sale of some property. I used to do our taxes each year, but now we work with an accountant. I’ll be relieved after we see him on Firday.

    Liked by 1 person

  23. #6. “….you might have to remember all your half-truths all over again.” Ha ha. Unfortuntaley, collecting all the data can sometimes be challenging. In Sweden the taxes are a lot easier to do. The government sends you a form that includes a list of all your reported income and ask you if you want to add something that was not reported. If not you just sign. I never had anything extra so I just signed.

    Liked by 1 person

  25. Taxes work differently in Sweden much less deductibles and higher taxes overall. The big difference with respect to the form is that the government keep track of all your income and pre-fill it for you. W2 is already reported so why should it not be on the form automatically? I should say you get your pre-filled form sent to you. You just make changes or additions. Another difference is that you are not punished hard for mistakes or cheating. It is good and bad differences.

    Liked by 2 people

  29. Oh…taxes!😱😱😱 Very useful sushi set… and so painful every time! Thank you, dear John, for reminding that this is not a rose garden…🍻🍤🍤🍤

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  31. This happened to a friend of mine (about 12 years ago).

    He was itemizing his deductions and came across one where he’d get only a few dollars back, so he skipped it. Kinda like saying to the IRS, you can keep this one. It’s not worth the time or the paperwork.

    Well, wouldn’t you know it. The IRS called him in for a full audit because if he was that sloppy by not declaring everything, then what other mistakes had he made.

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