The April 15th 2023 tax deadline is in my rearview mirror and it’s definitely time to relax, reflect, party and take a much needed vacation. For me that all started Tuesday, with a long walk at sunrise followed by a nap, soak in my whirlpool tub, leisurely bagel brunch and then another nap. What, no workout, NO, I needed a break from that too. I am glad I was able… Read more
This is the last time (for a while) that I will refer to tax season 2024 in my weekly blog. We all know that tax season never really ends until the IRS and most states shut down their e-file portals in October, but we can dream. Every year we say “this has been the worst tax season ever”, and it has been yet again. Friends and family roll their eyes… Read more
What a difference a day or an hour can make, especially here at the beach. This morning I “slept in”, yes at 7 AM I missed that classic shot of the sun rising out of the ocean on the horizon, but with no wind, no rain, it really did feel like a spring day…. 7 AM this Morning The votes are in; Saturday Morning Sunrise – Favorite of the 4… Read more
It’s tax season and as we accounting professional head into our even crunchier time where we are balancing our time between finalizing those returns which can be completed and those which are being extended, we are spending even more hours sitting at our desks. I am also spending time balancing on my ” classic balance ball office chair” which I rotate onto from 2 other chairs throughout the day to literally… Read more
We survived the first major tax deadline day of tax season 2024 and were able to celebrate a bit last weekend even with the rain on St. Patrick’s Day. It’s amazing what some dogs will put up with for a bisket or photo opp. At least they were able to stay inside and pose for “St Patrick’s Day Dog’s on Parade”… Winston Such a Good Sport Mitchie, Service Dog in… Read more
Today is a major deadline day, it’s like a perfect storm for me with a sunny afternoon and mild temperature expected later. I really wanted to stay out on the beach and continue my walk even though it was overcast at 7AM. Not gonna happen as today is March 15th, the perfect tax season deadline storm of beautiful weather and several major business, fiduciary/trust and partnership tax return, election, estimated… Read more
It’s Friday morning and I am just back from the beach, where at last the sun was actually visible! It’s positive thoughts that help me through these long days of tax season and starting my day at the beach certainly helps set the pace for the day… Friday Morning & Here’s the Sun at Last In Rockaway we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day early, this year it was Saturday March 1st,… Read more
Welcome to March and the count down to spring, hard to believe when we were building snowmen ⛄ just last week. We at A. Parness Company CPA are deep into tax season 2024, with several tax deadlines happening March 15, which when necessary, may be extended until September. During our exit appointments we get many similar questions, today I am focusing on “working dogs”. I am picturing farm dogs herding… Read more
Getting caught up on a week that got away? Here’s your weekly digest of some stories relevant to business and the economy. Snow storms during tax season when so many of us work remotely are a beautiful distraction , no effect on work schedules, and fewer cars on the roads. Even so, I was glad to see that the crews were out continuously cleaning and salting the roads. We do… Read more
Mid-February and tax season is in full swing, but that doesn’t mean we accounting professionals can’t have fun. This week we celebrated Valentines Day, “played hooky” during a morning snow storm and are looking forward to a three day weekend as we celebrate President’s Day on Monday February 19th by closing the office. We can always share some beautiful local photo’s and in a few months we will visit in… Read more
It’s been crazy busy here as we head into the heat of tax season, and, if I have learned anything from prior tax seasons it’s “Take Care of You First” and it will all work out in the end, or if not, starting the day right should set the stage for your mood and your interactions. This week I made a new friend as I started my day with a… Read more
All the talk of Groundhog Day reminded me about the 1993 movie starring Bill Murray, probably a good choice for streaming tonight with a bowl of popcorn. As I googled the Old Farmer’s Almanac also popped up on my feeds with comments about how people swear by it. For me I am happy to check the daily and weekly weather forecast and the Rockaway Beach tide charts on my cell phone. At least… Read more
I have been enjoying my mornings lately, starting with a long walk on the beach with my husband; nice to share the beautiful scenery even in this bitter cold weather, but… he caught the cold/flu that has been going around and was grounded. I went out on my own Saturday morning, it was beautiful, but the frozen snow made it really slippery. Can I blame him for my slip and… Read more
What a week of crazy weather and it just started snowing again this morning. I was happy to take advantage of the extra time off on Monday as we celebrated the life and ideas Martin Luther King jr. A week of cold weather, soup and taxes as we head into our busy time of year. Last week I mentioned a planned trip to meet a friend for dim sum, it… Read more
We are now through the second week of 2024 and some of us have not made it back into the office after the holidays due to the flu, a cold that has been making the rounds or some stormy weather. I have been “OD”ing on cups of hot tea with honey, lemon and ginger and my homemade chicken soup to help fight this nagging cold. It seems to be working… Read more
A BIG Good Morning 🌅 and welcome to 2024🥂🍾🥳🎇, I am happy to repeat the sentiment we have been hearing and repeating over the last few days “Best Wishes For A Happy Healthy New Year for You and Your Friends and Family”; I for one will continue to wish everyone a good day. This week when speaking with my daughter we talked about the holiday meals and visits we had… Read more
I look forward to holiday season as a time when we come together as friends and family to celebrate our accomplishments, enjoy each other’s company and favorite dishes, create new memories, recount anecdotes from past holidays and watch a series of favorite classic movies. I hope everyone enjoyed the 2023 Hanukkah🕎and Christmas 🎄holidays as much as I did. Some of us had some stormy weather⛈️ and others had a white… Read more
Holiday season is here and going strong with homes lit up inside and out, community sponsored decorations and oh so many “feel good” holiday movies 🎥 and series to watch on our favorite streaming platform. So many times we say life imitates art and art imitates life, so I thought I would share a holiday happy ending story that began last November… After wadding/scanning through the selection of holiday movies… Read more
Hanukah, also known as the festival of lights, how nice to have a holiday that lasts over a week with so many ways to celebrate, food, friends, games, presents and candle lighting. We were happy to be invited to our good friends’ home for Friday night, the second night of Hanukah and the commute (just across the street made it a no brainer). With eight days and nights, this week’s… Read more
Hanukkah, “The Festival of Lights”; the holiday that commemorates the rededication of the Jewish temple in Jerusalem in the 2nd century BCE started last night: Thursday December 7th. We know it as the time for Hanukkah traditions like: lighting the menorah 🕎(adding one candle each night), giving and receiving gifts 🎁including chocolate gelt (chocolate coins) 🪙, playing spinning the dreidel (colorful top) and those delicious latkes (potato pancakes) and apple sauce. Happy… Read more