debodun, with respect, it is time you entered the 21st century and find a way to pay for things online. You would be amazed at how much hassle (and time and gasoline) it would save you. You could get one of those pay-ahead cards if you are still afraid of regular cards. I have been paying for everything online, including my monthly bills and property taxes, for at least 15 years, and have never had one hint of trouble.
In truth if someone steals a check out of your mail, or if one goes astray and falls into the wrong hands, they can cause you a HUGE amount of grief by creating new checks and using them. My sister had a big problem when that exact thing happened to her. When you pay by mail by check, your checks are handled by God knows how many people at the other end, and are actually less safe than going to a creditor's secure website and paying online. You are making your life much more difficult by refusing to use a credit or debit card.
As to next year's return, contact Jackson Hewitt or H&R Block or whatever and just get it over with. H&R Block also backs you up in case of an audit, and with their software a mistake is nearly impossible. I don't know what you pay your guy, but was this year's anguish worth it?