Chapter 40: The Forbidden Topic of Adulthood: Taxes!

Although I’ve tried to keep this topic off of the IHateAdulthood platform for as long as I could, it has come time for us to speak about the worst part of Adulthood.

As Independent Grown women, we must stay on top of our responsibilities. Therefore, I am writing this post to keep you and I accountable as we work towards conquering one of the biggest absurdities of Adulthood, entitled Taxes. 

All jokes aside, taxes can be pretty scary and leave individuals wondering where is the best place to go for support. 

And while I am not an expert, I share a few things I have learned about completing taxes as an adult thus far. 

First, it is better to be scared and complete your taxes than not turn them in. 

DEADLINES MATTER!

While the process may be daunting, it is not impossible. Therefore, take your time, break your taxes into sections, and submit them by the deadline. 

Tax Day in the United States is April 18, 2023! As a result, you have 20 days to get everything turned in. 

So, let’s start with a deep breath and an open mind about the journey you’re embarking on. 

As I said above, I am no expert. There are a lot of trained tax professionals of color you can reach out to get more assistance from as you get closer to hitting the submit button. 

From my research, many individuals on social media will say they are trained tax professionals. But please read the fine print. Do your research before you give out your valuable tax information, and trust someone to help you get your tax returns. 

If you don’t have time to go through a private tax professional, try an online agency. There are many, like H & R Block, which you can file through steps independently, pay for protection if you filled it out wrong, or work with a trained tax professional for a fee. 

There is Turbo Tax, Jackson Hewitt Tax Service, and Taxslayer. 

But, if you’re still confused about whom you should work with, ask a friend or a family member. Often, they can give you testimonials that will provide insight into who might be more trustworthy with your tax information. 

Disclaimer: Even when you get a testimonial, please take the time to continue reviewing the website’s policies on your own. 

Beyond choosing a good tax filer, you should also gather your documents. You can always speak with a representative from the company you are filing taxes to know the specific documents you need, but I will share some of the ones I have heard are important. 

If you want a return, you will need your bank account and routing number to deposit your refund directly. You will also need employment forms such as your W-2. If you have multiple sources of income, please have each W-2 readily available. 

If you’re self-employed or complete independent contract work, please ensure you have the 1099-NEC or 1099-K documents. It would also be helpful to receive documents from your school (1098-T) for your taxes if you’re enrolled. 

Even further, you should have information about your Health Savings Account contributions. 

If you have children, please have a record of your childcare expenses or receipts for charitable donations. 

That is just a tiny glimpse of the documents you will need. Using an online or private paid preparer will provide you with all the specific documents you will need as you work with the individual or system. 

Another thing you don’t want to forget is that in addition to filing your federal taxes, you also want to file your state taxes. 

They go together like Peanut Butter & Jelly. You have to finish each part to make the whole sandwich. 

Now, taxes are not a simple task, but as I told you, they are possible. 

If you do 20-30 mins each day, you could be done sooner than you think. Please make sure you read the fine print before you submit. 

And, if you have a question, ask a trusted paid preparer. If you don’t want to use a tax website, know that a privately paid preparer doesn’t have to break the bank. 

Speak with each representative, and choose the best place you feel most comfortable working with while completing this task. 

GEM: Some tax websites will give you free assistance from an expert if you file by 03/31 or 04/02. Check out some of the websites that do tax assistance to see if they have any specials because no one is trying to go broke while paying the government. 

Another thing that is important when filing taxes is to stay calm. I know it can be overwhelming if you’re filing for the first time or the 10th time, but please be kind to yourself. 

Pick up some of your favorite snacks, and dedicate a few hours to completing the task. 

Don’t overwork yourself. Don’t panic. And don’t worry. You can finish the submission in the end, so do your best. 

Each year you complete your taxes, it will become easier. Therefore, don’t stress if it is challenging the first time. It gets easier the next time. 

Sike! Even some of our ladies doing it for the 12th time still have difficulties, so please know you’re never alone!

Leave a tip in the comments below about how you handle tax season. 

I will see you in our next post. 

Peace + Prosperity, 

Jadis DeShong-Venay