As I write this post, I’m surrounded by bits of paper covering both my desk and home office floor.

Why?

It’s tax season in Canada, and with a filing deadline of April 30, the pressure is on.

When I wasn’t self-employed, tax season, although still involving some work, in retrospect barely caused a ripple in my world.

Nowadays, it’s much different—and a lot more stressful.

Taxes for the self-employed author

Instead of a small folder of tax slips, I have a large box filled with taxation paperwork.

Throughout the year, I retain receipts for everything related to my author business—from book purchases to website hosting, marketing costs, museum entry fees, printer paper, ink and more.

I now earn and incur costs in three different countries and currencies: Canada, the United Kingdom and United States.

Each country also has a different taxation year and system.

So, after paying most of my Canadian taxes in advance in quarterly instalments, I compile all my receipts and other business information for a tax preparer who specializes in international and small-business taxation.

Why did I leave it until April to do my annual paperwork sort?

Because there always seemed to be something more pressing!

This year, I’ve had tight writing deadlines, a publisher closure and other life and professional stresses that took immediate priority.

As a result, I still have several last pieces of information to compile.

Not “the most wonderful time of year” … But still memorable

Tax season is my least favourite time of year.

However, my piles of receipts also evoke special memories, including time with friends and learning.

This year, they’re also a record of my summer 2024 UK trip researching my upcoming Rose Warner, WW2 British home front Teacher Evacuees series.

Author life

Over the past few years, my tax preparer has probably learned more than he ever expected about how much of the author life involves things other than writing.

And if he looks closely at any of my 2024 travel meal receipts, he may be puzzled by “Vic Sponge” and “Wens/Carrot.”

One is a Victoria Sponge cake, pictured. The other denotes a Marks & Spencer Wensleydale Carrot Chutney sandwich. I ate both these favourites in England last summer.

The first book in my new Rose Warner historical series, The Teacher Evacuees, is out in September and I’ll share a cover soon.

And while wartime rationing means my characters are restricted in terms of cake choices, they eat carrots in many forms, including chutney and in sandwiches.