every April
just in time for the deadline
the annual ritual begins anew

while many have switched to digital programs
some like myself are sticklers
for the old-fashioned method
picking up the forms at the local post office

gradually
I fill in the blanks
connecting the dots
pieces of metadata
personal information
$ amounts for the previous year
assembled
minute by minute
line by line
for a clerk
at the other end of the mail

Total income
non-refundable tax credits
Net income
Taxable income

Federal tax – provincial tax
did I pay enough?
a drum roll is in order please
as I tally up the final numbers

sometimes we win
sometimes we lose

will it a be refund?
or debit

If the latter
always a Post-it on the last page
“Please verify and bill me accordingly”

at least I switched to direct deposit
a few years back
a pleasant surprise
sometimes
when I check my bank account on-line

© 2017

560 hits as of October 2023

07/24/2017

Posted on 07/24/2017
Copyright © 2024 Chris Sorrenti