It's one week till the deadline for my self-assessment tax return. Tonight is the night to make a start. I have what I need:

• my big box of papers (an old nappy box stuffed with scraps of paper, bank statements and drawings by the kids)
• the computer (because I missed the deadline for the paper version many months ago)
• a glass of wine (because, apparently, tax doesn't have to be taxing).

I wholeheartedly believe in a system of taxation. It's right and proper that those who earn should contribute towards the wellbeing of the nation. I get to dance for 'a living' and in return, I must suffer for a few evenings a year to tell the goverment how much I earn.

This is my third tax return and as yet, I've never made enough money to pay tax. But hey, I guess they have to keep checking, right?