A new excuse - Doing your taxes can kill you!

"Render unto Cesar," even if it kills you! 

That's right - as you make that midnight drive to the post office on tax day - Tuesday, April 17 this year - be on your guard - it just might be dangerous to your health.

Dr. Donald Redelmeier, of the University of Toronto, led a study that gathered 30 years of data compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that showed a six percent increase in traffic-related deaths on tax day.  These results were first shared in JAMA (the Journal of the American Medical Association).

There is speculation about the cause of these deaths.  Is it because the road to the post office is not one with which you're familiar?  Is it the distraction by the stress of filing?

Don't think that filing electronically earns you a pass over from the tax death reaper.

According to Redelmeier the ease and availability of electronic filing might cause people to procrastinate, thereby increasing the likelihood of last minute filing stress.

Anyone who has had the experience of using an electronic tax filing program that constantly redirects you back to a section of your return that you thought was complete only to leave you staring at your screen wondering what they are talking about - can relate.

Like many stresses in life, the strain of tax preparation can be ameliorated by not walking the walk alone.  Help is available.

Many community groups offer free or low cost tax preparation assistance.  Catholic charities is one of those organizations, more information can be found here.

So as the 17th looms, take a few very deep breaths and know that after the ordeal is finished, you'll have a whole year until you need to do it again.

visit Carolee's blog at:  www.CaroleeGifford.blogspot.com

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