The ADHD Tax: What It Is and How to Fight Back

What is the ADHD tax, you ask? Well I sure didn’t coin the phrase, but I feel it deep in my bones. The ADHD tax is the cost of living with the executive dysfunction that comes with ADHD—the “extra fees” you rack up because your brain works differently.

It looks like:

• Forgetting to cancel a free trial before it renews.

• Buying something and then planning to return it… but never do.

• Paying late fees because bills slipped your mind.

• Collecting supplies for hobbies you swear you’ll come back to “someday.”

• Sometimes you can laugh it off. Other times, it erodes your self-esteem and convinces you you’re “an idiot” or that you “can’t get your sh!t together.” And let’s be real—the dollars add up real fast.

So how do you fight back against the ADHD tax? Here are four strategies that make a real difference:

1. Do It Now

If you can handle it in the moment, do it. Pay the bill as soon as you get it. Better yet—set up auto pay and let the system work for you. Credit card companies may refund a few late fees, but after that? They’re banking on your forgetfulness—literally.

2. Commit to a Specific Time

Don’t just say, “I’ll do it later.” Pick a day and time. If you pass the library on the way to soccer practice, plan to return your books that day. Specificity is your friend—mentally rehearsing the task increases the chance you’ll actually do it.

3. Write It Down

Your brain isn’t a reliable calendar—so use one! If you need to return something within 30 days or cancel that free trial, mark it down. Use your phone’s reminders or alarms if you need the extra nudge. Seeing deadlines in writing makes them real—and harder to forget about.

4. Prepare Early

Set yourself up for success before you need it.

Toss returns in your car so they’re ready when you’re near the store.

Pack your lunch the night before to avoid another expensive delivery order.

Keep that package by the door so you don’t “forget it again.”

Preparation reduces friction—the fewer steps between you and the task, the more likely it’ll get done.

Final Thoughts

The ADHD tax is frustrating, exhausting, and yes—expensive. But it’s not a sign that you’re lazy or broken. It’s a reflection of how ADHD brains struggle with executive function. With the right systems in place, you can outsmart the tax collector and keep more money (and sanity) in your pocket.

👉 If you’re ready to stop just surviving and want to rise, book a consultation today.