A taxing month

I have prepared twice as many tax returns in the past six weeks than I had by this time last year. Everyone was desperate for their refunds and came in early.

The 500 count box of Kleenex on my desk has been used and replaced once this month. There were the usual clients with colds, but most of the tissues were used by people discussing job losses, debilitating health problems, and deaths of loved ones. I admit to using some myself during these heart-wrenching discussions.

I've answered countless phone calls from people wondering when they would get their 2009 stimulus check and disappointed them.