Ten Tips for Improving Tax Day

Let's face it...April 15th is not exactly one of our favorite date's on the calendar. In fact, it can be downright stressful and turn an otherwise good day into little more than a grouchy irritation to be gotten done with as quickly as possible. Even Albert Einstein said (on filing his taxes), "this is too difficult for a mathematician. It takes a philosopher." Somehow, knowing that even Einstein struggled on April 15th should help us all feel a little more at ease. Perhaps he's right, maybe we should approach tax time a little more philosophically and spiritually.

So, here's my Ten Tips for improving your April 15th:

1. Begin your day by counting your blessings for being an American. In spite of what you may owe the IRS, you still live in one of the best countries in the world and have more personal freedom than over half the world's citizens.

2. Have gratitude for the shower you are about to take that comes from municipal water that you pay taxes for. It's hot, it's clean and for now anyway, it's plentiful.

3. If you have children that you have to get ready to go to school, pause for a moment as you pack their lunch, and remember, your tax dollars help to pay for their public education. Yes, we could be doing a better job, but it's a blessing nonetheless that not everyone in the world is entitled to.

4. As you drive to work today on paved roads and freeways, remember to have a moment of gratitude for these roads that your tax dollars help to provide. Believe me, one trip to India and you'll never see a paved road the same again!

5. As you sit to fill out your tax forms, make a list of all the things that you are grateful for in your life. Take a moment to feel the heat that warms your home and notice the electricity that lights the table or desk that you're working at. Life is good in many ways that we fail to notice.

6. If you owe money to the IRS, think about how the tax dollars you're about to pay contribute to the world you live in. Yes, I think it's safe to say most of us would like to see our tax dollars used more wisely but...they do help to make the things we value continue to exist. If you have to write a check to the IRS, write "thank you" in the comment section.

7. If you are receiving a refund, think about how this money will be spent to improve your life or those around you. How will you use this money to stimulate your life or the economy? Create an intention to make good use of this tax refund.

8. Before you send in your tax return, say a prayer for your family and for our government that we will all learn to be more thoughtful and wise about our personal and financial resources, that this recession will end soon, that the unemployed will find jobs, and that this great country will rise to be prosperous and whole once again.

9. If you don't have the money and owe the IRS, send in an extension with a thank you note for the good work they're doing and ask them to set up a payment plan for you.

10. And last but not least, if the whole experience is just too overwhelming and you can't quite pull it off by April 15th, file an extension and give yourself another six months. Take a deep breath and remember...it's only taxes, it's not your life and tomorrow Scarlett, is another day.

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