I don't use an accountant, myself. There are some things I'm not particularly organized about, but I do get my taxes done on time. I filed early enough this year, in fact, that some late information from my accounts came in and forced me to file an amended return. But even that one I sent in early last month. But this weekend, I shredded my receipts and so on from 2009. Each year I shred the stuff from three years ago, and store away this year's information. All part of my de-cluttering efforts.
I liked mine fretful, twitchy even. People who avoided direct eye contact, wanted to know if there was any other receipts, papers. One who when you told them you might have lost half the receipts shoulder's dropped, and a resigned expression came over their face.
ReplyDeleteStoners are the ones I have over for dinner, they appreciate it.
I just don't like handing over money for something I can easily do myself.
DeleteAnd stoners can fend for themselves - they eat too many sweets, anyway.
nice...feels good to get rid of some...i burn mine...it just feels right...haha
ReplyDeleteI can see burning them. I like to shred mine and send them off to be recycled.
DeleteI bet you fumed when that late information came in!
ReplyDeleteNot really - a minor irritation about those accounts being slow to get me the money, but filing an amended return didn't take terribly long.
DeleteI am lucky that my accountant does this job, I am poor and keeping order in such papers:(
ReplyDeleteBlog about life and travelling
Blog about cooking
Since I run a business, I had to learn to be organized.
DeleteI thought we had to hold on to all the paperwork for 7 years?
ReplyDeleteThat smiley face is such a flashback!
Isn't it very '70's?
DeletePer the IRS, 3 years unless you didn't report all your income (then it's 6 years) or filed a fraudulent return (then it's forever.)
http://www.irs.gov/Businesses/Small-Businesses-&-Self-Employed/How-long-should-I-keep-records%3F
It's good to be organised.
ReplyDeleteAnd here I was searching for a receipt I needed from fifteen years ago so I could complete mine. Capital Gains is a pain.
ReplyDeleteI do keep receipts on major house repairs and such.
DeleteI would have to learn a whole new level of organization if I had a business to file for! I agree, though, that some things are worth paying someone to do...and some just aren't.
ReplyDeleteIt depends on what your skills are, of course. I happily pay people to do work on my house if I can't do it myself.
DeleteI'd be out of business if I was surrounded by SAWs. LOL.
ReplyDeleteI'm hanging on to the barest necessities of my formerly quite large tax service until the Great Canadian Novel is published and the royalties stuff my mailbox.
Goodonya for the filing!!
XO
WWW
Fortunately, many people need and/or want an accountant's help!
DeleteI wouldn't even know where to begin! You rock....
ReplyDeleteI wish I could easily do it myself, but every year the gov't changes things up so much that it is better to have someone else do it.
ReplyDeleteand you are shredding stuff from '09?! We are recommended to keep everything for 7-10 years. I still have my files from 15 years ago... just in case (of what I am not sure)
I wouldn't try it without a computer program - I let TurboTax keep up with the changes for me.
DeleteBut the IRS says 3 years if there isn't anything like fraud involved.
I can't believe you do your own. A business, a house, self employment. I couldn't do it. Maybe because I have more than one property and JB and I have two businesses, but I spend a good 10-15 hours just getting info ready for our accountant
ReplyDeleteOnly three years? I have to check that out for myself but if so I will be forever grateful to you!!!
Love
kj
Up until last year, I even did my ex's taxes for him.
DeleteI go through H&R Block to do my taxes, and this time I procrastinated up to March 31st. I had to pay Federal, but I did get a refund from State. I'm so glad that's overwith, though. It always feels like a homework assignment to me.
ReplyDeleteI have to pay estimated taxes, so there is never a time when I don't owe money!
DeleteI am very, very bad with paperwork. I admire you.
ReplyDeleteThanks. It's mostly because I'm so frugal.
DeleteTax returns, nightmare!
ReplyDeleteBut I file mine on time too, mainly to get the dreaded thing out of my hair.
I want mine done with ASAP.
Delete"I filed early enough this year, in fact, that some late information from my accounts came in and forced me to file an amended return."
ReplyDeleteOMG...that ALMOST happened to me last year before I filed. I was just getting ready to file, when I received an additional W2 that I had totally forgotten about.
Like you, I get my taxes filed ASAP!
X
Next year, I'll make sure I have everything. But I do like having it all out of the way.
DeleteShaune's really committed and disciplined about doing our taxes each year too.
ReplyDeleteIt helps to just get them done.
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