“Indoors or out, no one relaxes in March, that month of wind and taxes, the wind will presently disappear, the taxes last us all the year. “     

~ Ogden Nash

What a dilemma I faced; time-wise, last weekend provided the best opportunity to prepare for the fast-approaching appointment with our accountant. For most of us, April 15th kind of hangs over us like a dark storm cloud. But the weather on said days provided “the best,” if not perfect, conditions for being outdoors. Who could resist the warm, clear and breezy conditions? Not me. Is good weather reason enough to file an extension? I think it should be.

If for some reason (that doesn’t include good weather) you can’t file your federal tax return on time, you can get a six-month extension by filing an IRS Form 4868 before April 15. You can also get an automatic extension by making an electronic tax payment by the due date. Thankfully the IRS asks for no explanations, only your money! My garden gloves are shelved for now.

The IRS claims 98% of all presidentially-declared disasters are weather-related. According to NOAA, in 2018 there were 14 weather and climate disaster events with losses exceeding $1 billion in the United States. These events included one drought, eight severe storms, two tropical cyclones, one wildfire and two winter storm events. Drought-related wildland fires in California by far are the most devastating. The IRS provides a tax filing extension and penalty relief to those with an IRS address in these disaster areas.

Upcoming weather … Temperatures are expected to be cooler most of the weekend. Late Sunday winds are forecast pushing temperatures upward. Both the weather and taxes declare it’s spring!

Next year, at this time, we will be prepared. For certain – we will stay more organized throughout the entire year. If not, may it at least rain?

Sue Kilpatrick is a Crescenta Valley resident and  Official Skywarn Spotter for the  National Weather Service. Reach her at  suelkilpatrick@gmail.com.