Intimidation ... no way.

I just heard from Annette, a cosmetologist in Santa Rosa, Ca. Annette said: "My accountant knows more than I do about my own self-employment taxes, and I have always felt intimidated by her. I need another tax person/advice! Thanks, Annette"

Let's think about this a moment ... the woman knows more than you do but we can assume that she's not carrying a big club to knock you over the head nor threatening you with expulsion from the swim club. So where does the problem lie?

If your third-grader came home from school and said she didn't understand the teacher but was afraid to ask a question because the teacher knew more than she did and besides the teacher scared her, what would you say? What are the alternatives for you and your daughter?

You have similar alternatives with your tax pro -- a paid professional. You are a professional business woman. You need advice on your taxes and you are paying a pro for advice.

If you have a problem doing that, here's a mental exercise: Put your tax pro in your profession. Get a mental picture of her with the lotions, ointments, steam machine, hot towels and everything else needed for a facial including the 55-year-old customer who asks that you make her look 45 for her son's wedding. A pretty absurd scene when you see your tax pro standing over the customer without a clue what to do next. Keep that picture in mind and maybe the intimidation lessens.

If that doesn't work, bring a friend or business colleague to your tax meeting.

Or, prepare a list of questions on paper and present the list of questions in writing to your tax pro.

And most important: Learn more. Read my blog, my site, check out my book from the library or buy a copy here Self-employed Tax Solutions.

And by all means, remember that you are a professional woman in business. It is your "indie job description" to learn about the business side of your profession.

-- June