An "Ode" to Doing Taxes

As I promised last month, here’s a poem (really, a parody) that I wrote recently! :)
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[“Ode” is short for Odious! ;P Also, for those who may not be aware: April is one of the most dreaded months for Americans because it’s when taxes are due! April 15th in particular (although it’s the 18th this year) is a day of infamy. ;P]

I tend to do my taxes in February/March, trying to get them done before my birthday. I did succeed in finishing them pre-birthday this year, yay! This poem was written last month, as I was in the thick of dealing with the complexities of not only my and Oscar’s personal taxes but also business taxes for Thinklings...yes, double the taxes – UGH!!
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So I was in a pretty foul, fed-up mood and I wanted to ameliorate/sublimate some of that...and was inspired to write the song parody below! Enjoy! ;)

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The Least Wonderful Time of the Year
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It’s the least wonderful time of the year
With tax forms so confusing
And everyone losing
Their mind up in here
It’s the least wonderful time of the year...
 
It’s the unhappiest season of all
With those mad, frowning faces
As everyone traces
Each deposit and withdrawal
It’s the unhappiest season of all...
 
There’ll be boxes for checking
Fun evenings for wrecking
And math to be redone again
There’ll be scary audit stories
And tales of how gory
Were those paper forms way back when...
 
It’s the least wonderful time of the year
When those new business owners
Become such great moaners
At the thought of arrears
It’s the least wonderful time
It’s the least wonderful time
It’s the least wonderful time of the year!
 
(c) Sarah M. Awa, 2023


​I’m super glad to live in a time when there’s TurboTax and other software to help with this nightmarish process! Yeah, even though I’ve been doing taxes for many years, the IRS changes things now and then, and the software isn’t always crystal clear or helpful in every area! Like, last year when I had FIVE health insurance forms (because of a couple switches to save money) and the software would only let me input one. Or maybe two. OMG. I don’t even remember what I ended up doing, but a lengthy phone call with my mom was definitely involved.... (April showers = tax tears ;P)

Anyway! Hope you got your taxes done already, and TTY next month! :)