We have a winner! Congrats, Robert!
Tax Day is less than 2 weeks away and that likely has many taxpayers stressed out. One way that taxpayers in beautiful Ocean City, NJ, cope is to celebrate the end of tax season with the traditional Doo Dah Parade.
This year, the City’s 25th Annual Doo Dah Parade is set for Saturday, April 17 starting at noon. The parade will feature a Basset Hound Waddle with over 500 of the floppy-eared canines loping along Asbury Avenue and the Boardwalk. There will also be humorous brigades, kooky individuals, a variety of bands, clowns, and impersonators of legendary comedians. The parade starts at 6th and Asbury Avenue and ends at the Music Pier where there is an awards ceremony and PieAsco. PieAsco participants sit in grandstands and smoosh each other in the face with shaving cream pies (mmm, pie!).
My good friend Jen Miller, who writes the delightful blog, Down the Shore with Jen, and I decided it would be fun to collaborate on a giveaway to celebrate the end of tax season. Jen knows a bit about the shore, as you might figure from her book, The Jersey Shore: Atlantic City to Cape May.
Jen contacted the merchants at Ocean City, NJ and they’ve agreed to donate $50 in Downtown Gift Certificates. The gift certificates can be used in the downtown shopping district, which is the same area that will be offering “tax-free” shopping (i.e. 7% discount) during the Doo Dah weekend, from April 16 – 18. Jen is also donating a copy of her book to help you navigate the NJ shore this summer.
So, how fun is that? Tax-free shopping and a break after Tax Day.
To qualify, all you have to do is answer the question: Why do you need a break this tax season?
Here are the rules:
- Post your answer in the comments below. It can be as long or as short as you want. Please don’t include any personally identifying information that you don’t want to be made public (your AGI, address, etc.).
- Enter as many times as you like – but you must post a different comment each time. Links and pingbacks while appreciated, don’t count.
- My normal comment policy applies (you can read it here). I have standards, you know.
- I love my foreign readers, too, but this contest is for US residents only. Ideally, you’ll live within a few hours of Ocean City, NJ, but that’s up to you.
- You must leave a valid email address (it will not be made public) so that I can contact you if you are a winner.
- Deadline for entries is April 9, 2010, at 11:59 pm EST. Don’t panic if your comment doesn’t show immediately – if it goes to moderation (because, for example, you’re new here), the time stamp on your comment is what counts.
We don’t judge here. Okay, I usually do. But I won’t this time. While I’m hoping for funny and interesting stories, you don’t have to post anything crazy to qualify. Just answer the question. That’s it. Really. I will randomly select the winner from all of the qualified entries.
The reason I need a break this tax season, I’ve been doing taxes for multiple people! And for multiple companies.
“THE AFTER TAX-SEASON BLUES”
Tax season was over, no more extensions to do;
My 4 long months of 80-hour weeks were finally through.
I thought it was about time to have a little fun;
Until I looked at my house and all the work left undone.
I realized it was time to get back to my chores;
When I discovered you could, quite literally, EAT off my floors.
There were weeds to pull and gutters to clean out;
and I guess I better give those windows a shout.
There were blinds to vacuum and furniture to dust;
Yes, indeedy, spring housecleaning was definitely a must.
Floors to wash and wax, shirts to mend…
Oh, how I’m praying for tax season again!!!!!
That’s why I NEED a break after tax season!
I need a break after tax season cause I live and work in different states — meaning I need to figure out rules and reciprocity for MD and NJ. Gah!
I need a break from Tax Season because I always end up paying. I also love the Doo Dah Parade, I discovered it 2 years ago and have been going ever since.
Working all year so that Uncle Sam can take a big bite? Who doesn’t need a break from THAT! lol
Somewhat depressed after doing the taxes and really love Ocean City but never seem to get there. Winning would give the incentive to make the trip and relieve my depression.
I don’t need a break – I’m a procrastinator, so I haven’t done my taxes yet!
But I am bringing my Bassett Hound to the Board Waddle, which raises money for the Tri-State Bassett Hound Rescue, which is where we found our dog last year.
i need a break from tax season because this is my first year filing as married and my smallest return ever–ouch!
I need a break because this past fall I moved from Georgia to New Jersey. I have never been to the Jersey Shore despite living only an hour or so from it. Also, the Jersey cost of living and a lack of a hefty tax refund has left me a little light in the wallet to venture to the beach. Did I mention I have a dog? I have a dog.