This past year has been pretty eventful- a big move, a new climate, a new job, a whole new understanding of how much time Tom spends playing videogames- it's a lot to take in. It's also a lot to lay out. In tax forms. This year I have expenses to claim- I spent over a thousand dollars just getting all my crap up to this freakin' ice cap, then I had to buy a GPS to figure out how to get to work on a daily basis. This year I have two different employers to add up and unfortunately and most painful of all- I have two states in which I owe taxes. It also doesn't help that the part of Alabama I came from collects taxes on three different levels- state taxes, county taxes, AND city taxes. No wonder most people try to stay the hell out of Birmingham city limits.
This has lead me to seriously consider professional tax preparation. I've done this in the past- but by a "professional" who was actually just my Dad's friend and in no way certified to do this stuff professionally. I'm not even sure if he was good at it, but when it turned out I owed money he wouldn't take it from me. He would make my Dad pay it. And that's the kind of tax prep I can get behind.
Unfortunately I'm no longer able to use the services of my Dad's friend. I'm sure his limited knowledge of Alabama tax forms would not translate well to the bajillion deductions allowed by the Massachusetts tax forms. So, I called H&R Block. It would cost me at least $80 to get my taxes done- probably a lot more since I have to file in two states. Someone told me that it's a lot of work just getting your documents in order to drop off to the tax prep people. If I'm paying for this, what do they expect me to do? I'm not trying to expend effort here- that's what I'm paying to get out of. Cripes. I figure I'll wander over to H&R Block with a couple of W-2s, a Penske truck receipt, and say "peace out."
I hate taxes.
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1 : to remove from one place and settle or introduce elsewhere 2 : to transfer an organ or tissue from one part or individual to another
10 comments:
I've used turbotax for the past few years and I'm happy with it. However, the first time I used it was when I moved to Wisconsin and I had to pay taxes in Wisco, Mass, and PA. It was awful and TT was not happy. Hopefully the system is a little better now for multiple states. Also, after you've done it once in the TT system, it saves your data for the next year.
You can check out the system, enter your data, and then pay for the services at the end. That's my favorite part of TT. I've already entered all of my information, it's now a matter of submitting it - and paying.
I agree about Turbo Tax, its really easy to use and can really save you some money. It suggests a lot of things that I wouldn't have thought of but found out I can count towards my taxes. And, its cheaper than going to H&R plus you can use it for years to come. Or... you can always try calling me and i can put you on the phone with my tax person, chris, he is one of those sick people who enjoys doing it and he is pretty good at it too! I am getting back almost all of my money. Love you!
I used an online program last year- and part of the way this year. Unfortunately you can't do part-year resident taxes for Alabama online. Apparently you have to do part-year returns on paper...then I have to claim the taxes paid to Alabama on my Mass return. Which sucks because it means I have to do my Alabama on paper- which I have deemed impossible. The form is so confusing.
The online program is awesome...it's the paper that's tripping me up.
Also, anonymous, that is a very nice offer...but I'm not sure who you are. Many people loved me.
:-p
I feel your pain on the "whole new understanding of how much time [insert boyfriend's name here] spends playing video games".
Have you guys had the Halo fight yet? If not, beware. Halo 3 is the devil.
Luckily Tom's not really into first person shooter games. Right now I get to watch him assassinating people w/ a sword. "Assassin's Creed." Luckily it has good graphics and is actually not that bad to watch.
Ps. Anonymous is Jessica. Love you! Just in case all those that have loved you don't tell you often enough. I just assumed you would realize who it was from the chris thing.
Hey Jess! Didn't realize it was you. I can't believe my math major boyfriend can't do my taxes for me...oh well. I'm going to try to get them done tomorrow...fingers crossed.
I've seen Assassin's Creed as well...
I will however say that the Xbox can be fun for me as well - Boyfriend just bought me Scene It! in what I'm assuming is an attempt to get me to enjoy video games (it's working).
Yeah...Tom and I will probably resume playing "Rock Band" now that he's beaten "Assassin's Creed."
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