Took the whole mess to my tax preparer, threw myself on his mercy and he had the whole thing done in an hour and a half. Expensive, but worth every penny.

I can identify which documents and receipts are going to be required for tax forms, but am totally at a loss as to what figures go in what category, which tax regulations apply to my case.

That's what he is good at (having been a former IRS agent), and I'm so grateful to have been referred to him. Since he has our tax records going back several years, much is simplified when it comes to questions based on previous filings.

Bottom line is that, while will owe federal tax (no surprise), I will get more than enough return from the state tax to cover it.

That means there's a Kindle Fire in my immediate future, and, later in the year, a trip to New Zealand. Yay!

And how was your day?