Death and taxes. That’s where I’ve been spending my down time in recent days. Always a “write the paper as soon as you get the assignment” person, I wanted to get going on the taxing task as soon as possible. But grief. And gathering all the information. I think I have all the information? Frustration that Dennis isn’t here to do them, even if he did so around April 14. Doubting in my abilities, despite prior experience and education. Stop the worrying, woman. Just do the thing. Ugh.
Software acquired. Prior years files located. Documentation neatly organized into a file folder. I’m doing this. Now keep the emotions out of it. Treat it like an assignment back in your bookkeeper era. Begin. Remember: keep your emotions out of it.
Yes, you’re filing on behalf of a deceased person. Just check that box and move on. Making my way through, I figured out how to import data from financial institutions. Until I couldn’t. See filing for a dead person. Get on the phone. I have the physical forms, how do I get the files to make this yucky task even 10% easier? Access denied. You’re still sending him emails that the digital files are available, but no one can get to them? That’s correct, ma’am. Wait, I need to enter all of that information manually? I suppose I’m going back to my data entry era now.
Have your little pity party. Cry a little. Scream a little. Laugh because why not at this point. Take a few breaths and reframe the mess in your head. What a privilege to have this problem at all. Grief seeps into everything.
On the bright side, I am keeping a plant alive.