January 15th
Today is a funny day, a pivot point between my personal life and my work life. What’s the big deal with today? January 15th is the due date for Q4 estimated tax payments. While that’s not a major event on many calendars, for me it signals the true end of the holiday season and the beginning of tax season.
Right around today my office is sending out tax organizers to individual clients and to do lists for our business clients. I may or may not have to work this Saturday depending on how much of a mess my office is and what is collecting dust on my “must do” shelf. I’m still undecided about this Saturday but a couple of hours behind my desk wouldn’t hurt.
What does hurt is the reaction I receive when the kids see me heading off to work on what’s otherwise a “fun” day. Just the other day when I came home a little later than normal my son asked, “Daddy, is it tax season already?”. Little dude broke my heart. He is 5 and already knows that tax season means he and his sister are children of a single parent until April 15th.
This year should be different though. I’ve hired a CPA to help with production and I’ve replaced my admin with a more focused person who is very organized and interested in making changes around here. I do anticipate a difficulty delegating work to them. I haven’t had to work with a team in 13 years.