Nearly seventeen years in business, and I had not once filed my Federal Corporation Income Tax Return by the March 15th deadline. Not one single time.
But this year things were looking up, because on March 3rd I was sitting across a big table with my accountant, laughing with her about my shortcomings as my companies bookkeeper. I remember looking at the date next to my signature and having that short burst of excitement that so many of us often mistake for organization. Paperwork be damned! I was in control here!
“After all these years in business, it looks like I’ve finally gotten it together,” I said. “I finally made the deadline.” I can only imagine what went through my accountant’s head. Numbers, I guess.
I’m not sure just how long that burst of excitement lasted. All day? Into the week? I’m not sure. My history of forgetfulness is well documented.
I do know that whatever excitement was left over, if in fact there was any left, disappeared in a poof of surprise when the envelope suddenly surfaced on my desk this morning. Unmailed!