We are still in 2005 bookkeeping wrap-up mode, and April 15th is rapidly approaching. If you still don’t have all of your data gathered and ready to be entered on a tax return, you might consider filing an “application for extension of time to file” (Form 4868). To do so, here is the IRS’s pdf download of the form. You do not have to explain why you are asking for an extension. The IRS will notify you if your request is denied. Otherwise, you have another 6 months.

Note the following regarding payment of tax owed (taken directly from the IRS form instructions, page 2):
Although you are not required to make a payment of the tax you estimate as due, Form 4868 does not extend the time to pay taxes. If you do not pay the amount due by the regular due date, you will owe interest. You may also be charged penalties. For more details, see Interest and Late Payment Penalty on this page (see page 2 of the instructions on form 4868). Any remittance you make with your application for extension will be treated as a payment of tax.

Observing the state of affairs of some folks’ receipts and statements reminds me how much easier it is to keep up with statement reconciliations monthly rather than leave it all until the end of the year. If you don’t hand off your record keeping to a bookkeeper (an easy chunck of your business to delegate!!) entering receipts, payments, and deposits usually only takes a couple of hours per month.

Here is a handy pad of payment info slips to use when you don’t get a receipt for something. The most important ones to remember to use these for are cash payments, but I also use them for other payments for which I don’t get a receipt.