How Do You Do Your Taxes???

Turbo Tax , Jan 15 th every year.

Our refund is already here and already spent. All 4000 of the damn thing.

ugh.

That is what is good about Turbo Tax. You can import your figures from the major brokers right on your return. If you forget something, or add something in manually later, the changes will show up on all the schedules. The thing is, a person needs to have a good handle on his cost basis, or it can really be screwed up.

You've had the speech about not loaning your money to the government, right?

Actually, I used to use my payroll withholdings as a forced savings plan because I wasn't disciplined enough not to spend it as I earned it. Then, I'd get a lump sum return and use it for larger expenditures. Eventually, I was able to see savings as a 'bill' that must be paid in the same light as housing or utilities and was able to start a savings plan external to the IRS.

JPB- Smart, very smart. I suppose that is how you were able to afford your chia pet!

ch-ch-chia!

Well kids, today is the day when Uncle Samuel comes around. Have you filed your taxes yet?

I had coerced Mr. P. into letting me buy Turbo Tax, but he does not believe in those newfangled things.Claims that the program does not figure stuff the same way that he does. So he was up until three in the morning doing the taxes by hand.

He is sort of finished, but we have to check out the calculations, and copy the return. I already checked out a couple of post offices that are open until midnight tonight!

I did mine and filed them a few weeks ago. Uncle Sam has been busy today though. He made the withdrawl for my amount due from my checking account verrrry early this morning... Blah!

Sent 'em off yesterday.

Did them by hand.

It was painful this year -- had to do all the 1099 stuff, self-employment tax, yadda yadda. Not as bad as I feared though, and now we've hacked through the toughest stuff and can just refer back to what we did this year from now on.

Oh and I chose "other" -- E.G. and I do taxes collaboratively, though he does more. He does an early draft, tells me things he needs, I provide them, he does another draft, and then I thoroughly vet that draft and write a list of questions, we talk about that and address anything unaddressed, then he fills out the final version (the same as the last draft, but neater) and I sign that.

You'll hate me.

I was done in February. Then again, I expected $$ and the last thing I want is my kindly Uncle S. to get interest on that cabbage.

Where's that extension paprework...

When are the forms due?