This has been one of the wildest tax seasons in recent memory. I saw a note from the IRS last Friday (the 12th) that as of that day, 50 million taxpayers had yet to file. LOTS of extensions happened out there, as all of the tax law changes caused a bunch of confusion.
It’s our hope that our Southern California clients didn’t experience what so many software users and clients of other firms did — mass confusion and frustration. In fact, we heard from quite a few of our clients who were pleased by the process.
But we are, in fact, human. And we are, in fact, tired. But we are (in fact) not letting up.
You see, unlike some Southern California tax and accounting professionals, we make it a point to do a bit more than simply “fill out forms” on your behalf. I’ll tell you more about that in a moment.
Because the loudest thing I want you to hear from this post is this: THANK YOU for your trust.
It is no small matter to place your family’s financials in front of another, and I know that for some it can bring with it some anxiety or discomfort. That’s why we work so hard to be people that you can trust to understand, to come alongside, to advise, and to help.
It’s why I make it a point to send you these strategy notes every week (even when we are slammed with work), and it’s why we work so hard to stay up-to-date on all of the latest tax code updates and regulatory changes that come like clockwork, every year. Especially this year.
We take your trust seriously. THANK YOU for it, and for your business.
But this work also brings with it a certain joy — because this past season, we got to see remarkable lives of generosity, love and integrity laid out before us with regularity. For some, this was reflected by their financial statements — and for others, this was displayed by the warmth, kindness and delight by which you communicated with us during this process.
So again, THANK YOU.
This much is clear to me: No matter the state of your financial life, nobody (not the IRS, not anyone) can take from you the strength derived from a life lived with gratitude and joy.
You’ve reminded us of that once again, this year. What a privilege it has been to serve you this 2019 tax season … and we look forward to years of service to come.
More thoughts to come soon, of course. As I said, we’re not letting up.
But for now, I’m taking a nap.
Warmly,
David Barnes
(714) 541-4338
Barnes Accountancy Corporation