Tax Season is Like Childbirth?
Another tax season has ended….another baby born. Well, not actually, thank goodness, or I would have 26 children now! After tax season number 21 came to an end, when I was exhausted, relieved, and emphatic I was NOT going to put myself through this again, the childbirth analogy was born.
Before inception, there is the planning and discussions. The attempt to get as much done before the pregnancy as possible. We start out energized and on top of the task at hand with our lists of what needs to get done and a plan in place. Soon though, our schedule falls apart and as the due date creeps closer and closer, we start to get overwhelmed, even sick with anxiety of the enormity of our situation. For those long months, we are totally consumed by the pregnancy. Little else matters as there is just not time or space for anything else in our lives. Then as the due date nears, we are completely exhausted and not sure we can make it but thankfully adrenaline kicks in. We push hard to the end and are so proud of what we accomplished.
Many family and friends come alongside of us tax professionals to witness each tax season and wonder how we can keep putting ourselves through those grueling months each year. And they inevitably ask why?! My response…tax season is like childbirth. It is exhausting and all consuming. And during the final push, you wonder if you’re able to put yourself through this again. But then it is over – “the baby is born” - and you celebrate with your family and colleagues all of the hard work and the huge accomplishment. Then as we enjoy the “baby,” the downtime in summer, we quickly forget about how painful it was, until we do it again…
Gilmore Jasion Mahler Tax Manager Amy Merkel, sense of humor intact after all those tax seasons, contributed this blog.
Established in 1996, Gilmore Jasion Mahler, LTD (GJM) is the largest public accounting firm in Northwest Ohio, with offices in Maumee and Findlay. Locally owned, GJM offers cloud-based accounting services and provides comprehensive services including assurance, business advisory, tax, risk advisory and healthcare management. The Firm’s professionals specialize in industries including construction & real estate, healthcare, manufacturing & distribution and utilities.
