Overcoming income tax (IB) anxiety with hypnosis

As early as February, it can give you sleepless nights - income tax. Fortunately, you can now take 2 months to file that tax return, but filling everything out is still something some people find tricky. Because what if it goes wrong? Some people freeze, draw the curtains and have trouble thinking logically. The fear of the IRS or the tax return beats around the bush.

Is this a recognizable problem for you? Then this is a blog that can help you be your calm self on your next tax return and file a good solid tax return

Why do we pay taxes?

We all pay taxes to pay for the services the state has for the population. The military, police, education and healthcare are logical costs covered by taxes.

In addition, infrastructure and officials are paid for. Who are at your service, as in the town hall.

What does the IRS do?

The IRS collects taxes and checks your tax return. Not every tax return is checked; this is done by sampling. The chances of you getting that check are very small.

Entrepreneurs are being audited more often, but this is also because they have to file VAT returns.

Still, your anxiety can be triggered by the knowledge that your return is being audited, and that can be a scary feeling, even if you're doing everything right. It's a bit like that nervousness some people have when they see a police officer. Even if you don't do anything wrong you can be afraid of a fine.

Doing income taxes without fear

There are practical tips that you can implement first to at least make sure you fill out your tax return correctly. That alone provides a lot of peace of mind. Good preparation is really half the battle.

Let the rules explain you

See an accountant or tax advisor as soon as possible who can explain the rules to you. What are you entitled to? What deductions are there? What information do you need for this? By being aware of the rules, you will already know much better what to do.

By doing this annually, you will also be instantly up to date with all the new rules and law changes you need to consider.

Bonnets in order

If you know what you can deduct from taxes, you also know what records to keep. Therefore, always have a folder on your PC where you keep receipts, invoices and other bills that you can use during the income tax return. Do you have a paper receipt? Then make a scan of that to keep in the folder.

In addition, to keep it completely safe, you can use a folder or box where you keep receipts. You print them out and put them in there. Of course, you can also keep the paper receipt in here.

Have someone check your tax return before you file it

Have you completed your tax return in full? Print it out and take it to an accountant or tax advisor who will review your return before you file it.

Apply for respite on time

Don't have time to file your tax return on time? Then apply for an extension of time to file your tax return on time. Then you often have until September to file your return.

File your tax return on time

Procrastination is not wise, so file your tax return on time. Even if you have requested a postponement, it is better to send your tax return in May, if you already have all the information, than to leave it until the last day to complete and send it to the tax authorities.

This also allows you to take more time to check the return before sending it. You can literally sleep on it overnight for all the "oh, I could have done that ..." thoughts.

Mental techniques against fear of reporting

The practical tips are clear, but there are other ways to reduce anxiety as well. One of the most important first steps you can take is to identify the cause of the anxiety; once you know what it is, you can sometimes get rid of it very quickly.

Regression

One way to identify the root cause of the fear is through regression. With regression, you go back to the moment in your subconscious that triggers the fear of filing your income tax return. These kinds of moments often occur during childhood because that is the period in your life when beliefs about how the world works are formed.

When you find out that this is a totally illogical reason to have a fear of the IRS, this realization alone can reduce the fear tremendously.

Hypnotic suggestions

You have two types of hypnotic suggestions, those that directly affect your beliefs. These are suggestions that you also repeat during self-hypnosis and those that affect your behavior.

Hypnotic suggestion

Hypnotic suggestions thus influence the beliefs that affect your subconscious and can trigger anxiety. Depending on your beliefs, you’ll be given hypnotic suggestions to take home and practice during self-hypnosis.

For self-hypnosis, you start with a relaxation exercise, then listen to the suggestions or repeat them aloud yourself. They can be, for example:

"The IRS gives you the opportunity to correct mistakes."

"The IRS is here to help you, too," says the company's president.

"I get to take my time filling out tax returns."

"I don't need to know everything."

"I may ask for help with my tax return."

These are just examples of hypnotic suggestions, depending on your issue you may get other suggestions.

Post-hypnotic suggestions

Post-hypnotic suggestions actually affect your thoughts and behavior after the hypnosis session. A post-hypnotic suggestion is often given to calm down more easily during moments of stress.

For example, a post-hypnotic suggestion might be:

"As soon as you notice that you get stuck while doing the tax return, close your eyes and take a few quiet breaths while you relax your muscles, then you can continue."

Visualization of the declaration

Another way to gain more confidence and less fear of the IRS is to visualize doing the tax return. By stimulating your imagination that you do get good at filing the tax return you will find that you suffer less anxiety while filing the tax return.

For example, a guided visualization might be.

"It's time for the tax return. You grab the handy summary you received from your accountant or tax expert friend to write down amounts and earnings. Through this list that feels comfortable in your hands, you easily find the receipts, bills and paychecks and add up the information you need to add up. Now that you have a clear overview, breathe easy. You grab your PC and log in to the Tax Office page where you have to fill out your tax return. You feel how the keyboard moves as you enter the information you just wrote down in the corresponding boxes. When everything is done you read it over again. The check shows that what you put on paper and what is on the screen are the same. You can quietly correct any typing errors you may have made; after all, that's what the check is for. Then you click send and you're done!"

This is just an example of the visualization, a hypnosis expert can give you another guided visualization that better suits your fears.

Staying calm while filling out tax returns

In addition to these techniques to help you combat fear of the IRS, there are a number of practical ways to reduce anxiety.

Keeping your attention in the here and now

If you notice your attention being diverted to what could happen if you get something wrong. Then stop that thought by shifting your attention to the here and now. Feel your breath, feel the pen in your hand or the keyboard under your fingers. Look at what you are doing and quietly continue.

Keep a checklist handy

Have an accountant or tax expert create a checklist you need for each step of completing your tax return. The checklist gives you a handle on the process and lets you know exactly what's to come. Predictability is incredibly helpful if you are anxious about the situation.

Relax your muscles

Anxiety often causes a physical reaction, such as tense muscles. This tension, in turn, can make you even more anxious. It’s incredibly counterproductive. If you notice that you’re getting tense, relax your muscles. If necessary, take a moment to stretch.

Visualization recall

Remembering the visualization often helps you remember what to do. This gives you a handy guide to help you relax and pick up the thread to get on with filling out the tax return.

Would you like to learn more about the benefits of hypnosis and how you can use it to help yourself or others? Then come to a hypnosis workshop or check out the courses offered by the Hypnosis Institute of the Netherlands.