‘Twas the night before tax season

The nighttime felt heavy, and folks were up late.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

While Dad stared at forms with immeasurable dread.

And Mom in her PJs, the cat in her lap,

Had just settled in for the tiniest of naps.

When out of the blue the quiet was shattered.

They ran from their office to see what was the matter?

Rushed to the window to see what they’d find,

They tore back the curtains and opened the blinds.

The moon glistened bright in the cold winter air,

An aura of calm spread out everywhere.

When who to their wondering eyes should appear?

The hero they hoped for who now stood quite near.

Stepping up to their door, then into the hall,

Armed with pertinent knowledge of tax reform law.

More quickly than horses her help she supplied,

And with a quick smile she offered to guide:

“On frustrating federal or state income taxes,

New rates and credits and changing tax brackets.

NOLs, passthroughs, shared responsibility payments,

To deductions, exclusions and tax breaks for claimants.”

And off to the office she sped with a smile,

Taking no time to pause when employing her guile.

Reviewing receipts, credits, deductions,

Then looking through forms and all their instructions.

And then in a moment, they heard through the wall,

“I think I have finished and gotten it all!”

And outside the office she suddenly appeared.

The smile that she gave them was something to cheer.

“Our taxes are finished?” The couple asked, riled.

“Done, double-checked and of course I e-filed.

A CPA can do more than just taxes,” she claimed,

Without missing a beat, these services she named:

“From tax compliance, estate, trust and gift planning,

Audits, valuations and not-for-profit granting.

Risk management, cyber and IT consulting,

Forensics, reporting and outcomes resulting.”

And with that she left them, fading from sight,

But just before vanishing into the night,

They heard her exclaim while she drove off and away:

“Next year don’t worry. Just call your CPA.”