Progress Report on My Tax Return

On Tuesday night I stayed up until 2:00 a.m. Wednesday morning working on our taxes. I felt as if I were drowning in the paperwork. I was prepared to do an all-nighter again last night. But - Hooray! I finished at 10:15 p.m.

But here's the thing --- I finished, checked and double checked using Turbo Tax. But, there's more!

Another of its nifty features is that, for the low price of $49.95, you can email it to an experienced tax preparer who will give it his or her once-over. You can include any questions you want the person to particularly notice, pay attention to, or whatever. TurboTax promises to have the form back to you with recommendations, etc. within a designated time. Previously, when I've finished in February or March, I got results in 2 days. But last night, Wednesday, the promise is for Sunday, 4 days hence. That's the difference between early, and almost at the deadline; and why I felt under such pressure yesterday to get it done.

On Sunday I expect to get it back, make any needed changes, and still have time to mail it promptly on Monday, the 17th.

I haven't quite figured out whether a person can file electronically when you owe money. The last 2 years I received a refund and so there was no money involved; and the IRS deposited the money directly to our bank account.

So here's the summary:

Step One -- fill out the return. FINISHED!
Step Two -- request and wait for an expert's appraisal. IN PROCESS . . .
Step Three -- receive expert's review and make changes if necesssary. PENDING . . .
Step Four -- mail the return to the IRS. PENDING . . .

Waiting now . . . . . . Today I wasn't literally on the beach, as the photo suggests; but at least I relaxed a bit and can now breathe easier.