Just peaking in to say hi. I wish I could share some stories from my job as a tax preparer, but privacy and all that . Remember I got my enrolled agent credential? Well having that means that I’m an “expert” now and I get some doozy tax situations! I’ve been learning a lot and not sleeping very much. I can’t turn off my brain . It wants to think about work even when I’m trying to sleep!

The best part of my job is talking to people. My favorite clients are the first time filers . They’re so nervous and have a lot of questions. Sometimes they have their mothers on the phone , too. I also love working with the older retired couples who talk on speaker phone . And I had a hilarious couple of women from Connecticut. We had so much fun laughing when the system misread their tax form and it said they were getting a billion dollar refund!

I really love helping my customers and it’s the best feeling when I can fix their errors and save them money or make them laugh after they’ve been frustrated . I’ve only had to deal with a very few difficult people. Most of my clients are so nice.

This season a majority of my clients have been from New York because you need a credential to file New York State taxes. So I’m volunteering for those. I love talking to them and hearing the different accents and learning about their lives. A surprising number are Californians who moved to New York! I’ve also worked with people from Maryland and other states with restrictions on tax preparers. The only state I can’t do is Oregon , but I’m planning to get licensed .

I’ve also had quite a few clients with rental properties this year, which is great because I’m honing my skills in this area. Rentals require a special kind of tax knowledge. Here’s a tip: if you decide to put your house up for rent, be very careful with how you set up the depreciation! Many people do it incorrectly and it can be a bit tricky to fix. Be sure to use the correct value for the house ONLY. Land is not depreciable. And remember that when you sell the property you will be taxed on all the depreciation you deduct.

Another repeat client type I’ve had is the side gig worker with a 1099NEC . They seem to be a little more aware this year of the information they’ll need to provide at tax time to claim expenses. But some of them are scrambling. Keep good records if you’re going to work “for yourself” . The IRS requires a mileage log. And don’t try to claim $5000 in meals if you’re a part time Uber driver who earned $5000. Interestingly, many people with fairly high incomes are also doing side jobs, or were in 2025.

The last thing I see a lot of is investments. Stocks, interest, dividends, crypto. This year was the first year for a new form 1099DA for cryptocurrency sales. It has been helpful. Last year crypto was stressful. It should be even better next year as the crypto brokers will be required to report the basis.

So that’s my life right now. Taxes, taxes, taxes! I’m also going to church and taking care of Grace. She’s doing very well, praise the Lord! it’s also springtime and the wildflowers are blooming and the grass and trees are green . My husband is doing well, too. Life is good!

See you after April 15!