Sunday, January 5, 2014

New Year Ducks -


I think that it is safe to say that everyone approaches a New Year in a different way - ;))

For me - when I was working - the last week of the year - the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day - was always busy.

Back then I thrived on the stress - now, not so much - ;))

Since I retired - I intentionally take that week to PLAY with new Christmas toys and just fiddle with stuff - no WORK is allowed - ;))

And I believe that saying -

“What you do on New Year’s Day is what you do all year long.” -

So on New Year’s Day -

As Gene said to LindaJ - HERE -

I sleep in -

I don’t go to work -

And I SEW - ;))

Then on Day 2 - I start to play with the “ducks” -

Those pesky little buggers that need to be put ”in rows” -

So that they behave -

Because I was taught that I had to do my chores -

Before I could PLAY - ;))

First of the month - first of the year - time to pay some bills -

One of the first things I do - and have done for years - since I still pay bills with checks and not online - is to go through the checkbook and enter the New Year’s last two digits - 14 - on every check in the pad so that I don’t mistakenly enter last year in that space. By the time I get to the second pad of checks, I’m pretty sure of what year this is - haha - ;))

Then I start to work on our tax stuff. I figure the sooner I get that stuff done - the sooner I can SEW. And this is in NO WAY intended to be tax advice - I don’t DO that anymore. If YOU need any tax advice - find yourself a tax professional who can advise YOU on YOUR particular situation - ;))

For our taxes - I go through the calendar and calculate the medical miles for the year. Checking the calendar is the easiest way for me to tell how many times we visited the various doctors - ;))

Then I make a spreadsheet and go through the checkbook and list all of the tax-deductible stuff - Date - Payee - Amount - with columns for the various categories. I make a summary sheet and print out a copy for the accountant. And no - I don't do our taxes anymore, either - what's the point of being retired if I have to keep up on all of that stuff? - ;))

I keep a large envelope labeled - "Tax - 2013” - handy and put copies of tax-deductible stuff in it as I go along every year. I’ll add a copy of the DMV renewal when I pay it - so that I don’t have to go digging for it later. I’ll add a copy of the accountant’s bill when I pay it so that I don’t have to find that either. And no - I can’t rely on them to just add the amount themselves - I entered it one year on the “organizer” and they missed it - must have seen a “squirrel” or something - ;))

Then I wait for other tax-related stuff to come in the mail - make copies - and add them to the envelope. When I have everything - I fill out the “organizer” - and off it goes to the accountant - then it's their problem - they can deal with it - ;))

And it is SO much easier to quilt as a hobby than as a business - not as profitable, of course - but MUCH easier. I don’t have to try to sell people stuff and keep track of the income - and I don’t have to try to keep track of my stash or my travel expenses or the cost of all of the sewing machines that I bought - ;))

But then again -

If my quilting WERE a business -

Those expenses MIGHT be tax deductible - ;))



Talk to you later - gotta go - gotta sew -


8 comments:

Gene Black said...

I wish I were so organized with my tax stuff. I generally start getting all the paperwork in order the week I am going to see the accountant.

A Left-Handed Quilter said...

Thanks, Gene - It is/was an occupational hazard - I HAD to be organized - I WAS the accountant - ;))

Linda said...

Ok Now that is impressive! If we still itemized I would follow (or try to follow) your example. One thing I've never done is any government forms, taxes, etc. They scare me. haha We always pay the man to do it for us. And money well spent I say.

A Left-Handed Quilter said...

Thanks, Linda - I agree - money well spent!! - We have a lady accountant so we just pay her and I go back to SEWING - ;))

Katie M. said...

Sounds like we're on the same page - I have my tax stuff ready and just waiting for the other stuff to arrive in the mail. My accountant always sends me a note as to when my appointment is each year :-) As for the year going forward...... I probably will do things just like I always have - I've done it so long now, why change????

Julie Fukuda said...

I really hate doing this every year. I have my file folder ready for when stuff starts coming in but over-seas citizens get extra time ... which will be needed. My son-in-law has been helping me figure it all out but with no money coming in, it is just an exercise in reporting... and an expense in postage!

A Left-Handed Quilter said...

YAY for you!! - We don't even bother with an appointment - we give them the filled out "organizer" and the envelope and let them do their thing - if they have any questions - they can call us. Saves us all a bunch of time - time better spent SEWING - if you ask me. And as far as change is concerned - if it ain't broke - why bother???? - ;))

A Left-Handed Quilter said...

If you need even more time - you may be able to request an "extension". I don't know about over-seas citizens - but it may be possible. I'm glad that you have someone to help you figure it all out - and you're right - most government forms ARE just exercises in reporting - and an expense in postage! I have often wondered if the congressmen who decide the tax laws could actually fill out their own tax return if asked to do so - ;))

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