Death and Taxes: Tips to Save Your Sanity

Ian C. Langtree - Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 2011/04/01 - Updated: 2024/02/25
Publication Type: Instructive / Helpful
Topic: Tax Information - Publications List

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main

Synopsis: Simple steps to relieve the stress related to the unavoidable prospects of death and taxes. While death and taxes are both inevitable, we get much more practice preparing our taxes than doing funeral planning or organizing memorial services.

Introduction

Death and taxes are life's two certainties, here we list five simple steps to relieve the stress related to these unavoidable prospects.

Main Item

While death and taxes are both inevitable, we get much more practice preparing our taxes than doing funeral planning or organizing memorial services.

Gail Rubin, author of A Good Goodbye: Funeral Planning for Those Who Don't Plan to Die, speaks regularly to groups on getting the funeral planning conversation started. She offers these helpful tips to reduce the stress of addressing death and taxes:

Deal With It

Neither the Tax Man nor the Grim Reaper will wait when the appointed time comes. Just as talking about sex won't make you pregnant, talking about funerals won't make you dead.

Plan Ahead to Save Money

Smart taxpayers look at all the angles for making the most of deductions before the end of the year. Smart consumers pre-plan their funerals so they know the substantial costs involved and can figure out how to afford a meaningful "good goodbye."

Collect Important Information

Taxpayers who place all their W-2, 1098, 1099 and other tax forms in one place make it easier when it's time to file. Have one place for the will, advance directives, veteran discharge papers, personal information, and people to contact - it makes it much easier having important information all in one place.

Keep Good Records

Knowing your income and expenses for the year simplifies accurate, complete tax preparation. Knowing a person's birthplace, social security number, mother's maiden name, family contacts, and other information can save family members much stress at a time of grief.

Make It Meaningful

Charitable contributions made before the end of the year can help reduce taxes while helping the taxpayer's favorite causes. Discussing preferences for an end-of-life celebration, before there's any death or illness, gives family members helpful insights to create a meaningful ceremony when the time comes.

Author Credentials: Ian was born and grew up in Australia. Since then, he has traveled and lived in numerous locations and currently resides in Montreal, Canada. Ian is the founder, a writer, and editor in chief for Disabled World. Ian believes in the Social Model of Disability, a belief developed by disabled people in the 1970s. The social model changes the focus away from people's impairments and towards removing barriers that disabled people face daily. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and achievements, check out his bio.