Tax Time: Don't take the Douglas Bruce approach

Well, I have to admit I look for any possible reason to delay doing my taxes....but I still do my taxes.  I have money earned from my improv group (not much), and my own company which provides corporate training (even less), plus a W2 from where ever I'm working this year (constantly changing). But despite my procrastination, I still do my taxes!

If you don't understand the references, we recently had "anti-tax crusader" (as the Denver Post calls him) Douglas Bruce get 180 days in prison plus "six years of strictly supervised economic probation" for tax evasion (not exactly sure what supervised economic probation is, but it sounds similar to having to check with your parents before spending your allowance). Judging from his photos, he's spent most of his extra tax money on food.

Yep, he's got it figured out with a slew of charges including attempting to influence a public servant, filing a false return and tax evasion (Read more: Doug Bruce sentenced to 180 days in jail, six years probation for tax evasion - The Denver Post http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_19955019#ixzz1mKLzQQuV). His initials are DB - what did you expect (now, think of references in your mind which have the initials "d" and "b").

Anyway, I have a few months left before I land myself in the cluster he's set up for himself.
So do your taxes, kids!

Now we know, and knowing is half the battle!

Tax season makes me wish someone would be my personal assistant....for free.

Well, I have to say I'm glad the Christmas season is over....and actually, I'm glad 2007 is over too. It was a rough year for various reasons. One, it was absolutely my worst driving year ever with numerous accidents, fender benders, towing bills, speeding tickets, and car scratches.
So, welcome to 2008. I still need to sit down and write out some specific goals, but one will be to keep in better touch with people, both business contacts and personal relationships. I go through phases with my friends and acquaintances where I'm really bad at contacting and staying in touch with them.
Another goal will be better organization. Already, on the first day of the New Year, I start thinking about tax season. Yep, I've got 3.5 months to get my hundreds of receipts and expenses organized so I can write them off and figure out how much money I lost this year. The good news is I know where most of my receipts are: the glove box in my car, a shoe box in my room, spread across my desk at home, in a blue folder at work, and scattered through my briefcase. It shouldn't be hard....crap, yeah it will.