Claudia and I recently completed our tax return for last year. Yes, it’s well past tax day and there are reasons for which we didn’t do it on time and needed to file an extension. It was a stressful time and one where we had to trust that everything would workout even though we weren’t sure how.
These are the two main reasons we procrastinated with our taxes:
1. Our returns got complicated. Up until this year, I had always completed our returns myself. But now with a business, a house, and a baby, I realized I was not the best person to complete the return.
2. I was wrestling with doing the right thing. With running your own business, there are more areas where, if you want, you can finagle the numbers a little to make a big difference in the bottom line. No one would know.
Our response:
We decided to hire a professional accountant and we decided to be 100% honest and act with 100% integrity. We did this even though the financial ramifications seemed insurmountable.
It was a big step of faith for us. However, we knew what was right and we weren’t going to compromise. Some recent reading material gave us an added vote of confidence:
The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity. Proverbs 11:3
The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out. Proverbs 10:9
“With integrity you have nothing to fear, since you have nothing to hide. With integrity you will do the right thing, so you will have no guilt. With fear and guilt removed you are free to be and do your best.” – Zig Ziglar
With the figures I ran before going into our accountant, I thought we were going to owe a large sum of money. It seemed insurmountable for us. I hoped going to an accountant would bring that number down a little bit, but I wasn’t very optimistic.
During our meeting the accountant informed us that we actually didn’t owe anything and that we were actually going to get a refund! The amazing part is that the refund worked out to be almost the exact amount we were expecting to pay!
I believe this a testament of how God blesses us when we choose to do the right thing. It’s also a testament that it’s best to hire a professional to do something that you want done right.
Question: Has doing the right thing ever surprised you in a positive way?
Michael, it’s amazing how things like that work out, huh?
Yeah, for sure, Joe. I don’t think doing the right thing will always produce such a positive outcome, but this time it did and we’re very grateful for it!
What a great story and example of how doing the right thing pays off in the end! Yes – we have had the very same thing happen – and with our taxes as well. I worked for a different company and he wasn’t paying me with checks all the time. I could’ve not declared most of what I earned that year – but I chose not to do that. I declared it and it did cost more in tax that year. However, he got in trouble with the Dept. of Labor and they called me asking questions. Long story short – his lawyer wanted to know if I declared what he paid me and I was able to say yes and not worry that I would get in trouble. Doing the right thing is certainly a stress reliever!
Ann,
Wow, that is an awesome story! You were brave to do what you knew was right even though your boss wasn’t… that took a lot of courage!
Michael, I love how when we search the scriptures we always find great council. Glad things proved better than you expected. Blessings, @missioncoach
Rob, I’m constantly amazed by the wisdom and knowledge that can be had from the scriptures.
Integrity rules! Great story. I love it when God’s blessings are apparent. Those tough times that are blessings in disguise aren’t as much fun 🙂
Jody,
This is true 🙂 Often you don’t figure out what the blessing was till much later!
…kisses to your little man 😉 excited to see you guys soon!
Definitely a great story! And we’re excited to see you guys, too!