Federal tax returns are due about one month from now. Have you sent yours in?
No? Well, the National Society of Accountants (NSA) has three words for you: “Git R Done!”
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) reports that many people already have. In fact, the IRS said that as of February 27, 2009, it had received 56 million individual tax returns, a slight increase over the previous year. The average individual refund was $2,869, a 9 percent increase or $232 more than the same time last year.
So if you are one of the millions of taxpayers who still hasn’t filed, what are you waiting for?
If you want inspiration, consider NSA’s “Nine Reasons to Not Procrastinate on Your Tax Return”:
1. It hangs over your head. Constantly thinking about having to do your return is a mental burden you can do without.
2. You might get a refund. If, like millions of other Americans, you are due a refund, why not get it in your pocket now? You could sure use the money in today’s economy.
3. Avoid last-minute stress. If you think doing the return is a hassle now, just wait until April 15 when you’re scrambling to beat a deadline that’s only hours away.
4. It won’t get any easier. Your return won’t be any easier tomorrow. In fact, it might be harder because you might not have time to round up information you need to do it.
5. You’ll be less grumpy. Nobody likes thinking about taxes and it might be making you grumpy. Ask your friends and family if this is true.
6. You can do the next project. Once your taxes are done, you can move on to the next project. That garage might need cleaning!
7. You’ll make fewer mistakes. The more time you have to fill out your return, the less likely you are to make mistakes in a rush. You don’t want the IRS flagging your return to correct mistakes later.
8. Your desk will be clean. Just think how happy you’ll be not having to look at that 1040 Form every day. It will be filed away out of sight and out of mind.
9. You’ll get a reputation. A good one, that is. People will see you as a person who gets things done. You might even be asked to run for the school board or serve on a committee in your homeowners association. (Not interested? Well, you should do the return anyway!)
If none of that works, you can always call a professional tax preparer. But don’t procrastinate – their schedules fill up fast as April 15 approaches.
