Last Monday I went to the library early where trained volunteers from AARP do my income taxes for me - free. Of course I'm a fairly simple person, so don't have any major deductions.
Mike Brubaker is another blogger, who I read when he posts weekly on Sepia Saturday...his passion for old post cards and marching bands usually.
In 2021 I met his wife, Claudette, by a chance encounter at the AARP tax preparation site at our library. She started telling me (in her wonderful English accent) about her husband's penchant for collecting post cards, and his blog. We then knew immediately that I was the Barbara who had commented on his blogs, and posted my own on the same meme of Sepia Saturdays.
I've been blogging for around 14 years, and much of that time contributed to Sepia Saturday. So has Mike!
I do enjoy what thorough posts Mike comes up with, mostly musically oriented as he plays in the local orchestra, and has an extensive knowledge of brass instruments.
This week I've again had Claudette review my taxes before they were sent off to the IRS. As her first client, she was gracious and cheerful, and very particular at doing the review.
And I am done for this year with the tax requirement. But since this post doesn't have any old photos, I won't use it for Sepia Saturday this week!
I must note that on Monday I was planning to go to an important meeting of the Social Action Committee as it began to stretch further into dealing with climate change. Meeting was at 1 o'clock, and I proceeded to sit here blogging away till 1:55 when I noticed the time. Guess I missed that meeting. I had some trepidations about volunteering to do things, and not always being successful at carrying them out. I guess my trepidations won out that time.
Our glad hearts, accepting the miracle of this moment, this breath, this day, this life—that is the foundation of all sanity. |
TERRY PATTEN Today's She was helping her mom, Sarah Ann, welcome people and make sure they had their identifications to do their taxes at the library. The only way she (dog) would stay still for a photo was when she begged for a belly rub.   Sharing with Eileen's Saturday's Critters!  |
I don't think I've ever taken part in any of the memes although I do my own Caturday from time to time.
ReplyDeleteI do love your Caturday sharings...and I have participated in these memes mainly to expand my reading of blogs...which is crazy since some days I don't get to read even my favorites.
Delete..percentage wise, you probably pay more in taxes than Trumpy Dumpy does.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure with all his fraudulent holdings and shenanigans that he pays little.
DeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteHubby and I are going to try to do our taxes this year, should be interesting.
Love the cute doggie, she looks like a friendly helper!
Thank you for your critter post and for sharing your link! Take care, have a wonderful weekend. PS, thank you for leaving me a comment.
Good for you to do your own taxes. After all, intelligent people should be able to fill in the various blanks, add and subtract where needed, and come up with a finishing total. Good luck!
DeleteWe fall into the category of not having to file federal income tax and there is no state income tax here.
ReplyDeleteI'm frequently not required to file either state or federal forms, but have been doing so for several reasons...my tax return is being done by a professional (volunteer) who I trust, and this way nobody could fraudulently file in my name (if they should find my social security number) and claim any refunds that somehow they fabricate.
Deletewe own several businesses so our accountant does ours....it's a bit more complicated. even having the help, they have to be reviewed, checked and we always owe money - sigh -
ReplyDeletesuch a cute puppy, he sure knows you're good for a belly scratch!!
I love meeting new little dogs. Sorry you end up paying each year, but that must mean that you at least have some income from your businesses, so that's a good thing. Yes I would also pay someone to do my taxes if I were in your shoes.
DeleteMy husband has dementia so two years ago I had to start doing our taxes. (ugh) Luckily I have a gal who does all the work, I just have to gather together what she needs to do her job. As easy as that sounds, it isn't because two companies/outfits that I need a yearly reporting from are notoriously late in sending the info out if they even send it out at all unless I go online and try to navigate their complicated (to me) sites to beg for what I need. Why can't they be nice and cooperative like all the others?
ReplyDeleteOh that's a shame that you have to chase down your income tax forms from those companies. Sorry to hear about your husband's dementia. It's such a sad existence for so many active intelligent people. You have been so cheerfully posting on Sepia Saturday all these years that I wouldn't have a clue you were dealing with this. Of course your disposition has probably been the best thing you could have as a caring wife.
DeleteI've come across a few bloggers when I'm out and about and I've been surprised over the years at how many people recognize me. It's a lot of fun! I love your story! Enjoy your weekend!
ReplyDeleteThat's such a great thing to hear about! I know some blogger friends have met who live in England and America. There are so many ways we connect with one another.
DeleteGreat story about how you knew this blogger, it's a small world. Never seen a dog that didn't enjoy a belly rub. :) Have a wonderful weekend.
ReplyDeleteThanks, I'm surprised each year to meet Claudette again. I haven't run into any bloggers in person yet. I'm waiting for the cold rain to stop before enjoying the weekend much.
DeleteAlways nice to meet fellow bloggers! I have met a few in my travels.
ReplyDeleteTaxes, ugh. Need to sit myself down and get to work. I. Hate. It.
I rarely participate in the weekly blog thingies, just takes too much h time and I like to try to keep up with my faves. But when. I have done the linky thing, I have enjoyed it.
The memes on blogger are sort of fun, but I often have a post of flowers and it just doesn't fall on the right day...or clouds, or something else. Sorry that taxes are part of our lives. Make some kind of wonderful (decadent perhaps?) treat to celebrate when you've done them. I celebrate the least little thing! Need to have chocolate for having done that - scratched my nose!
DeleteLove the "two degrees of separation" story. And Benny is adorable!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by and commenting. Glad you enjoyed my post today!
DeleteGood work getting that over with. We take ours to an accountant. We have to!
ReplyDeleteI totally respect accountants, and those with more involved tax issues.
DeleteYou've made me laugh, Barb! I'm not sure if getting mentioned in another blogger's blog makes me a meme but I'm glad for my wife to get the attention. I'm very proud of her tax volunteer work as she enjoys meeting people and helping them untangle the IRS system. One small correction, Claudette's real name is Charlotte, like the city, but chosen from a character in Jane Austin's books. And as blogger penpaIs we really should arrange to meet in person someday soon. :–)
ReplyDeleteWell I could say I was protecting her identity. But it's my brain. A favorite cousin is Claudette, though we are estranged. So I gave Charlotte her name by some quirk. Yes we should meet in person before I forget your name too! email is blackmtnbarb AT gmail.
DeleteBarbara and Mike - two of my favourite bloggers. We all seem to have been sharing the same interests for so long we're like family now.
ReplyDelete