Oooohhh...Dear...

At the time of this writing there are 34 days until your tax return is due (for an individual). This is when most of us get that nagging feeling that sounds something like, "yep, I should get on that".  Then, of course, we do nothing for a few more weeks.  Not judging, just stating the obvious.  

I have a confession.  As a former tax accountant (and thereby unable to do MY taxes during tax season), I ALWAYS filed for an extension.  Now that tax accounting is not my primary profession, I always file by April 15th, right?  Ehhhh, not so much.  The truth is, it's easier to put it off because the IRS is so willing to let me wait until October 15th to file my taxes.  Take two minutes to file an electronic extension, and then forget about it for another half year.  Ahhhhhh....back to the beach.

One small problem though...while you can get an extension to FILE your taxes, you can't get an extension to PAY your taxes.  Oh, and then that other nagging problem...another deadline, and six months longer to forget where you put receipts, W2's, 1099's, bank statements, etc., etc.  So, while I'm never going to be the poster child for filing and paying by the 15th of April, I will encourage you to "do as I say, not as I do".  You'll save yourself a little panic, and hey, who knows?  Maybe you'll get a refund and be able to afford another trip to the beach.