I’ve put it off and put it off and now I have no choice but to do it. The 2010 taxes are due NOW and I’ve done nothing to get my information together.

For an organized person, getting everything together to do their tax return is no big deal. They have a place for everything and everything is in its place. I have a place for everything too, in fact I have several places, I just can’t remember where all those places are.

I do remember that when I received my W-2s and 1099s I put them in a safe place so nothing would happen to them, like spilling coffee on them or inadvertently tossing them out with junk mail. I have been known to do such things. I guess wherever I put them is very safe because I haven’t found them yet.

Then there is the matter of my check registers I need to go through to see what I’ve donated to my church and assorted charities. I know I’ve changed pocketbooks at least three times since the beginning of 2010 and I know I left the check registers in at least two of those pocketbooks. I can even visualize them in my mind’s eye, I just can’t visualize where they are in reality.

I don’t think the Internal Revenue Service will accept my mind’s eye view as a deduction and God only knows I need all the deductions I can get, so I guess I better find the old pocketbooks.

That’s another thing; I don’t understand what’s deductible and what is not. I find the IRS regulations to be a mine field just waiting for me to make a misstep. I’m a pretty honest person, but more than anything I’m a nervous personm and would never dare to claim a deduction that wasn’t blessed by the IRS. I just know if I ever did I’d get caught and be subjected to an audit. Then an IRS agent would come to my house and when I showed them all my junk drawers where I think receipts are I’d be busted and sent off to tax jail.

One thing I have found out regarding some of the fundraising deductions is that all those Girl Scout cookies, Cub Scout popcorn and the wrapping paper purchases are only partially deductible. You have to find similar items in local stores and assuming that the price is lower locally you can claim the difference on your taxes.

I can’t quite see myself going all around to find something similar to Thin Mints, which I don’t believe exists, or all those items I buy from my grandsons each year. I also don’t quite see myself ever remembering where I would put such information.

Next year, I’ll be more organized so when tax time comes I’ll be ready. Famous last words I know. But the way I see it I can make a strong effort and for this year I’ll just have to do the best I can and hope my nerves don’t get too taxed.