Alright, we agree, raising a glass to taxes is a bit of a stretch, yet here we are. A toast to all of you have who have filed another year away and are ready to not think about taxes again for 364ish days!

In honor of tax day (April 18th this year, we think)... hold on, before we get there, our lawyers would like a word. They want us to remind you not to take tax advice from a wine website. We barely know how to keep up with alcohol tax laws that are different from state to state, county to county, street to street, house to house, room to room. How would we know if you can claim your SCUBA gear repairs from that time you let your brother-in-law borrow your stuff even when you knew you shouldn't as a deduction? Well, we don't. We can help with wine selections and party planning, but you are on your own with taxes.

That said, in honor of tax day, cheers!

Weird Things People Have Tried to Claim on Their Taxes

Filing taxes can be a daunting task, even for the most organized and prepared individuals. There are so many forms to fill out, and it can be difficult to keep track of all the deductions and credits that you may be eligible for. As a result, it's not surprising that some people make mistakes on their taxes. However, some people take things a step further and try to claim some truly bizarre things on their tax returns. Here are a few examples:

• A man tried to claim his pet octopus as a dependent. The man argued that his octopus was a "household pet" and that he should be able to deduct the cost of its food and care. The IRS disagreed.
• A woman tried to claim her vibrator as a medical expense. The woman argued that her vibrator was a "medical device" that helped her with her chronic pain. The IRS again disagreed.
• A man tried to claim his gambling losses as a business expense. The man argued that he was a professional gambler and that his losses were deductible. The IRS disagreed.
• A woman tried to claim the cost of her wedding dress as a business expense. The woman argued that she was a fashion designer and that her wedding dress was a "prototype" for her future designs. Shocker, the IRS again disagreed.

While it may be tempting to try to get away with claiming something that you know you shouldn't, it's important to remember that the IRS is very good at catching these kinds of things. And if you're ever unsure about whether or not something is a deductible expense, it's always best to consult with a tax professional and maybe thank them with a good bottle of wine!