Computerized tax preparation and e-filing is, in my opinion, one of the greatest inventions of the past twenty years. I have no idea how I would do my taxes if I had to fill in blanks by hand on dozens and dozens of obscure forms.

And of course, filing over the internet, although more expensive than mailing, works so well it's worth it.

Up until this year, I had been finishing and filing my tax forms some time before the deadline (actually writing the check? That still waits until the last minute.) Never had any problems with it.

This year, for various reasons, I had to file almost at the last minute. What a zoo! Apparently the servers were clogged, although as is typical for most software companies, Intuit wasn't about to admit it. You would think they would have seen this coming.

Finally got the forms shoved through to Intuit, but the actual acceptance by the IRS wasn't until a day after the deadline. Apparently, this has no penalty, but I was worried for a while. I'll remember that next year.

Article on this here.

Actually paying the taxes requires standing in line at the post office to get to the new automated postage and mailing machine for certified mail. The machine prints stamps, forms, and everything, and is another of the great inventions of the last twenty years. I expected the wait this time, though, and brought a book. I was also available to assist those less familiar with the machine, which is less than user friendly for a few obscure operations.