A Tax Preparer’s Thanksgiving Survival Guide

Here at Tax School, we want to take this opportunity to say, “Thank you” to all of you who have attended our Fall Tax School, seminars, and webinars, completed a self-study, or participated in our Facebook group. We are incredibly grateful for the trust you place in us to provide you with your CPE needs.

To prepare yourself for the upcoming holiday, we’re taking a lighthearted look at how to survive the holiday with your sanity (and sense of humor) intact. So grab a slice (or 2, we certainly won’t judge) of pie, put your calculator down, and let’s dive into the other side of Thanksgiving for tax pros.

The Family Who Thinks They Can Deduct the Turkey

Ah, Thanksgiving dinner. The table is set, everyone’s hungry, and here comes your cousin who, for some reason, is convinced that because they “discussed business” over turkey, they can write off the entire meal as a business expense. Cue eye roll.

The good news is you can gently remind them that turkey dinners don’t count as client meetings unless there’s a really good reason, like a dinner with a tax-deductible purpose—say, a meeting to discuss actual business, or maybe discussing how to avoid an IRS audit (at the dinner table, of course).

The Never-Ending Questions About Tax Law

Thanksgiving can mean a smorgasbord of questions. And by questions, I mean questions about tax law.

“You know, I read somewhere that if you buy a new house, you get a tax break. Is that true? Does it apply if you’re just thinking about buying a house?” Fun fact: “thinking” is not a taxable event.

“Can I claim my pet as a dependent? I swear he eats more than my son.” Well, while you aunt’s pet may very well be the center of her universe, the IRS has yet to issue a tax code for “Animal Dependents.” But if you get really creative, maybe you can claim their costs as pest control or security. (Note: this does not constitute binding tax advice. Consult with your tax advisor, well, yourself, for specific pet-planning deductions.)

To survive this round of “immediate family financial advisors,” perfect the art of the vague answer. Something like, “Well, there are specific rules for that—let me get back to you after I look up the IRS guidelines.” Translation: I’m going to get back to watching the football game and hope you forget we had this conversation.

“Can You Help Me with My Taxes?”

You’ve been warned. The dreaded phrase is coming. Whether you’re at the dinner table, lounging on the couch, or hiding in the bathroom—someone is going to ask for your expert advice.

Here’s the trick: When you hear the question, take a deep breath and remind yourself: This is not the time to give free tax advice. Keep the conversation light and say something like, “I’d love to help, but I’m on holiday mode right now. We’ll chat after Black Friday/Small Business Saturday/Cyber Monday/Giving Tuesday…..”

Remember to Be Grateful… and Laugh!

At the end of the day, Thanksgiving is a time to relax, recharge, and reflect on what we’re thankful for. As tax preparers, we have so much to be grateful for—even if it’s the fact that tax season only comes once a year (thank goodness).

So, take a moment to appreciate that, yes, you’re working hard behind the scenes to make sure your clients stay compliant, but you also have the rare privilege of helping people with their financial futures. And even though your family may ask some ridiculous questions, they do appreciate your expertise (even if they don’t always show it).

So, here’s to a Thanksgiving that’s full of food, laughter, and a little bit of tax humor. And, of course, to surviving the endless “write-offs” talk. You’ve earned it. 

Editor’s Note: This blog was generated using ChatGPT and was reviewed and edited by Tax School staff.