If I Were An Event…

The expert on all things financial at WM Events, our accountant Catherine Cheely thinks numbers are a cause for celebration. Her special event concept would turn the annual deadline for filing taxes into a fun event people would actually look forward to each year. Just imagine – it’s every CPAs dream!   

If I were an event, I would be … a Do Your Taxes Bash.

My purpose would be to … host a party for tax procrastinators who could bring their W-2s and other documents so that we can have a fun get-together where everyone can finish and file their taxes.

I would take place … at the co-working space Strongbox West. 

My colors would be … chosen in honor of money, so green and gold.

My centerpieces would … eschew florals in favor of piggy banks stuffed with play money, while plastic gold coins would be scattered on the tables and throughout the room. Guests would wipe away their tax woes with 1040 tax form napkins.

My guests would enjoy … tunes from a money-loving DJ who would play a rotation of favorite finance songs. Here’s a sample of my playlist:

“She Works Hard for the Money” – Donna Summer
“Can’t Buy Me Love” – The Beatles
“Can I Have My Money Back” – Gerry Rafferty
“Money for Nothing” – Dire Straits
“Money, Money, Money” – ABBA
“Bills, Bills, Bills” – Destiny’s Child
“Working for a Living” – Huey Lewis and the News
“Rich Girl” – Hall & Oats
“Easy Money” – Billy Joel
“I’d Rather Be Rich” – Chicago
“Low Budget” – The Kinks
“Lap of Luxury” – Jethro Tull
“Take This Job and Shove It” – Johnny Paycheck
“Who Will Buy My Memories?” – Willie Nelson
“Just Got Paid” – ZZ Top
“Take the Money and Run” – Steve Miller Band

and of course…

“Taxman” – The Beatles

To work out tax form frustration, guests could participate in a rousing game of Pin the Tail on the IRS Commissioner. This adult version of the classic children’s party game involves guests being blindfolded and spun around before asking them to pin a tail onto a poster of the current IRS commissioner whose head has been superimposed on a donkey.

My food and drink offerings would include … a variety of food stations set up throughout the room, each named as a numbered Exhibit. For example, there would be an appetizer table, a finger food table, a coffee bar, a dessert table, a cookie bar, and a beer and wine table. 

My signature cocktail … the Income Tax, would mix gin with orange juice, dry and sweet vermouth, and a dash of bitters, naturally.

I would welcome … up to 15 guests – it’s just a magic tax number, especially for the self-employed.

My invitation would … take the form of a fake W-2 made out to each of the guests. They would receive the invitation by mail and be sure to open it because it will look just like an official document.

Special features would include … an onsite tax professional who would be available to answer guests’ tax questions. Prizes would be awarded for:

• The first couple and first single to complete and e-file
• The taxpayer who owes the most
• The taxpayer who owes the least
• The person with the craziest deduction

While the DJ keeps the energy up for guests still ploughing through their forms, as people finish and file, they can sit back and relax at the movie marathon, where they will enjoy films like:

• The Blues Brothers
• The Adventures of Robin Hood
• The Untouchables
• It Could Happen to You
• The Producers
• Stranger than Fiction

I would incorporate the latest technologies by … setting up docking stations; printers; secure, high-speed WiFi, calculators and plenty of pencils (the original tech)!

My guests will go home with … a debt payoff tracker, money bags filled with candy like chocolate coin candies and fun-size PayDay and 100 Grand candy bars. Not to mention, the sense of accomplishment of making through another April 15.