In February this year, I was sitting in a Starbucks in Vancouver – in Yaletown, I believe – and having an emphatic discussion with my friend Gillian. We were sitting at a bar side by side, and other patrons were sitting beside us. All enjoying their overly complicated coffees with ridiculous names. I was intently telling my friend that it was one of my favorite times of the year. Not Spring Break, not Christmas, but it was time to sit down to my favorite puzzle and math problem: taxes.
As her eyes goggled out at me, she also made eye contact with the guy sitting behind me. He had started snorting his coffee listening to my statement. I do not think I could have created more of a stir if I had grabbed him in a headlock and gave him a noogie. They both thought I was crazy. Still do, I am sure.
But the fact remains, I enjoy doing my taxes – looking for legal deductions, grey areas, potential investment strategies. 2011 tax season really didn’t have too much activity except for an expensive move. Part of this was paid for by Emile’s new employer, but it still resulted in a pretty lucrative deduction. I smugly sent in our taxes and had our refund in our bank account by mid March – the delay strictly on the government’s end.
I listened with false sympathy to others complaining in April about needing to get their taxes done. Really? Do I have any understanding of this? Do your taxes. Keep your receipts organized, have a system, it’s just a puzzle that needs to be solved.
This year I made a mistake and forgot to put an exam fee on Emile’s taxes. It was my pleasure to hunt down the needed information and submit it. It allowed me to review the taxes again for the year.
Today as one of our last pieces of mail, Emile received a letter from the Canada Revenue Agency requesting significant documentation on our move. Employer statements, accommodation receipts, statements of meal calculation, Lawyer Fees.
Such a brown envelope in the mail would cause normal people to sigh, complain and then wait to the end of the 30 day deadline to finally get to it – if not calling in to get an extension. I – on the other hand – am itching to get started.
No, there something wrong with you people – not me.
August 30th, 2012 Extra-Ordinary: Getting to do the taxes 3 times this year!
The Daily EO 