Voices

Tax folklore: A rite of passage

[IMGCAP(1)]Most long-time accounting professionals have at least one folklore-type story to tell. You know, the “big fish” tale. Having a story is a rite of passage so to speak—passage into what I call tax adulthood. Today, I finally got my story. I’m now officially a tax adult.

I started my career working in the technology group at PwC, and then worked a few years in a corporate tax department. I began practicing in a mid-size firm in 1998, so all and all I’ve been practicing in a public firm for about 14 years.

Within the last week, I received word from a client regarding a medical resident refund claim that we filed for him 13 years ago. (More than a decade! I was living in a different house, working at a different firm, had no children.) The word was that the client finally received payment…and it only took 13 years for him to receive the checks.

Two firms, a new house, and two kids later…I’m officially a tax adult. I have my story: “This one time, while working at a public firm, I filed a claim with the IRS that took 13 years to resolve.”

This is tax folklore at its finest…and it’s all mine. I’ve had my fair share of tax season war tales, but now I have the folklore to go along with them. I can’t wait to share my story with the next generation of professionals. How cool is that?

I’d love to here your personal folklore. If you care to share, please leave a comment below or send me a message.

Jody L. Padar, CPA, MST, is a Certified Public Accountant experienced with Complex Federal & State Income Tax Compliance for Business & Individuals. Jody is an adjunct professor at Oakton Community College, where she teaches Taxation and QuickBooks Courses. She is part of Intuit Trainer Writer Network and speaks nationally on various Technologies and Taxation. She can be reached at www.newvisioncpagroup.com.

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