After three years of doing my own taxes, you'd think I'd have this figured out by now.

My biggest problem seems to be staying organized during the year.

save receipts
keep pay stubs
collect statements of various accounts
record mileage
keep track of self-employment income

It's bigger things — professional development, health receipts, donations, gig money, and business expenses (phone, internet, etc.). Having W-2s, 1099s, and self employment from two different states doesn't help.

After a full Saturday of sorting papers, crunching numbers, and cursing the software that kept "not responding" (without real curse words, of course), I completed my federal return and two state returns.

I wasn't quite ready to file them, however. I like to wait until Steve does his taxes so I can correct my mistakes. "Did you answer 'yes' to question #43?" He asked. "Yes," I answer, tentatively. "You shouldn't have." He says, then explaining the rationale. By the time I get back to my taxes a few days later, I have a list of things to correct. Sounds pretty foolproof, right?

I am happy to report that as of this weekend, I have filed my federal return and one state. I will mail in my MA return this week.

Maybe next year I will avoid this hassle and buy myself the luxury of a real accountant!