Finished Line: Marking the End of the Season

You survived another tax season. For some preparers, work is done; for others, it lingers like a zombie that won’t fall. Some drink, some doze and some target this year’s lousy clients. Whichever’s your case after three months at the grind, here’s how your peers are lurching toward May (at least, according to an entirely unscientific survey of the many comments on our Facebook page on Tax Day).

Plans blossom in the fresh, warm air and exclamation points come in regiments. “We close the office at noon,” said one preparer. “Lunch and drinks at a restaurant on a lake. Then the office is closed for the rest of the week!!!!”

“Take a few days off away from the office,” wrote another, “and see what the rest of the population is doing. R&R is definitely in order.”

Some wise apples even seemed to finish early. “[Smile emoticon] Had some fun over the weekend, now catching up on housework I got behind on. Good run this year …”

Some trotted out the really big smile emoticons (often also tagging on ‘cons for dancing or martini glasses) to declare the season done. Others lifted their faces skyward (“Leaving work while the sun is out, and a 3-day weekend!”) while others were determined to turn their faces in a different direction: down and into a pillow.

“SLEEP!!!!!” wrote one commenter.

Escape loomed large, with destinations including family, Disneyland, t-ball coaching and one firm’s annual crawfish boil. “Four days at the bay fishing,” said one preparer. And remember: You submerged in deep winter but it is now almost summer. “Time to focus on the real season,” said one preparer. “Let’s go, Mets!!!”

One commenter apparently couldn’t get enough of EITC, AGI, EIN and all those other letters that have cluttered your dreams. “In Victoria BC with a G&T,” he wrote.

“Can I buy you a glass of wine?” one commenter inquired of another. “Wine,” wrote another. “The glass is empty.” Some replace tax prep software and pencils with “alcohol and a nap,” a few cold ones “for sure,” and a King Cobra 40 at the ready.

Some, unfortunately, had to keep a clear head as the work simply went on. “Celebrating with the family and staff tomorrow night,” wrote one, “then going in to do quarterlies.” More quarterlies, extensions, personal property returns, reports, deadlines, “transmitting through midnight” and a continuing paper blizzard when the storm should be over.

“Probably won’t be clear until the first weekend in May,” said one preparer. “Unsure emoticon…”

“Closed the doors a little after 7 p.m. Shared a couple of cocktails and then out the door for the season,” said another. “Love the people [who] demand you do their taxes with a Schedule C in the final hours of the last day. ‘No problem,’ we just said, ‘that’ll be $550.’ Didn’t hear back from them.”

Perhaps the best way to recover? “Hot tub, a few drinks,” wrote a preparer, “and then consider [which customers] I do not want coming back next year.”

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