Image by Steve Buissinne from Pixabay

BY: RACHEL WUMKES

There’s an old saying that dates all the way back to a 1789 letter from Benjamin Franklin stating “nothing is certain except death and taxes.”

I agree.  Especially after a year where we had to roll with the punches of the ever-changing atmosphere due to COVID-19.  The only real things holding to their same truth over and over are the fact that all people will someday die, and you have to pay taxes.

How depressing.

Which brings me to the topic at hand today, which is taxes.  I think accountants are the only people in the country who get excited about this time of year.  It often leaves me feeling completely clueless and wary of my capabilities to be an actual adult.

I have to laugh at the barrage of images found on the internet when you Google “Tax Preparation.”  No one is smiling.  No one is laughing and having a great time.  Instead, the pictures show piles of unorganized papers scattered across a desk.  Men and women with their head in their hands, hair wild from running their fingers through it in frustration.  Pencils riddled with teeth marks as people work through their anxiety as they muddle through, hoping they prepare the documents correctly to avoid an audit.

See?  It’s not just me then.  The people inside the internet don’t like taxes either!

There are countless articles titled “How to do your own taxes” or “Reasons NOT to do your own taxes” for people to reference.  I clicked on one just to see what it was all about.  It was confusing right off the bat and literally gave me anxiety just to read the first paragraph.

Between January 1st and April 15th each year, the American people scramble to ensure they have all their ducks in a row for tax preparation.  While some people tackle the obstacle on their own (probably using the Google articles I listed above) it is not something I have even an inkling of interest in doing.

At all.

Especially with the continual fluctuation of tax laws, deductions and countless rules… um, no thank you!  It’s just too much.

Thankfully, the Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce has a slew of members who are tax professionals.  They are fully experienced in the various tax laws and regulations and will be happy to help!

Hogan-Hanson, P.C. – http://www.hoganhansen.com/  (319) 233-5225

Stone’s Bookkeeping LLC – http://www.stonesbookkeeping.com/  (641) 529-7313

Potter & Brant, P.L.C. – http://www.PotterAndBrant.com/  (641) 357-5291

Aquarius Tax & Bookkeeping – http://AquariusTB.com/ (641) 450-1300

H&R Block –  (641) 357-2733

Don Moore Income Tax Prep – 604 Buddy Holly Place – Suite 104 – (641) 201-6936

RSM US LLP – https://rsmus.com/  (800) 274-3978

Chad Harrison, CPA – http://www.chadharrisoncpa.com/  (641) 243-7400

And so, my dear Clear Lakers, do not stress this tax season.  Hire one of these amazing professionals to ensure your taxes are done properly.  Hopefully, it means a great big tax return for you to spend at all the other fabulous places around town!