Is it April 30th yet?


I'm still here and barely keeping head above water. The legs are kicking, the arms are flailing. Just when the water reaches burbling nose level and threatens to overtake horizon of lower lids, a determined scissor kick thrusts me just high enough to breathe again.

One more week until tax season is over and I can really breathe a sigh of relief.

Every year it's the same. People wait until the last two weeks to bring in their stuff and we're inundated with a seemingly never-ending deluge of paper forms, receipts and what passes for the average person's attempt at shoebox accounting.

My biggest beef is with people who have so-called "easy" returns and think they can have them done right away. Even the easiest returns take time. It's the equivalent of hundreds of people showing up at a restaurant - all at the same time, all expecting to be seated and served right away because they just want a simple hamburger and fries. Can't be done.

Meanwhile, I take deep breaths and sing Somewhere Over the Rainbow in my head.

Comments

Anonymous said…
Bless you! Actually I know how this feels because of the paperwork I had to do at the end of every school year when I was teaching gifted students since the program is funded by special education. We had a minimum of 15 pages of forms to fill out and paragraphs to write for each student and meeting with all their parents.

We'll see you when you come up for air. This has to be stressful and frustrating. Good luck!
April 24, 2008 11:23 pm
Anonymous said…
So that's where you've been! Hope it doesn't exhaust you entirely! See you when the logjam's cleared. Take care!
April 25, 2008 4:45 pm
Anonymous said…
If it weren't for the last minute, most people would never get anything done! I have been guilty mostly because I'm a rebel at heart.
April 26, 2008 5:33 am
Anonymous said…
I did my taxes myself for the second year. I fooled myself into thinking that my change (as a new widow) from the complicated filing I did last year to single this year would greatly simplify matters, thus not take as long. Mistake! Maybe next year. I did get them done and to the post office the 15th at 5:45 p.m. (they were closing at 6:30.) Line was short and quick (I sent them certified,) but when I left the line was out the door and cars were lined up out the long drive and down the street. Don't know why all those people were so late.
April 28, 2008 12:56 am
Anonymous said…
The end is in sight! Hang in there!
April 29, 2008 9:58 pm
Anonymous said…
Well, I made it. A belated thanks to you all. I've been reading your comments, but have been too tired to log in and respond.

Kay, I procrastinate with the best of 'em and a little rebellion is good for the soul. It's when a rebel dumps their sh** on my desk and expects me to clean it up immediately(!) that bugs me (something I'm pretty sure you wouldn't do).
May 01, 2008 12:38 pm
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