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Patty
Immortal
Mar 23 2007, 7:55am
Post #1 of 25
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Okay, are you putting it off?
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Do you do your own taxes or have them figured for you? So, have you done it yet, or are you procrastinating? I was in H&R Block today (our taxes are, at present a little too involved for us to do ourselves) and it was practically empty. I said to my tax preparer "It's the calm before the storm", but what I wanted to say was "It's the deep breath before the plunge." I didn't reckon he'd get it so I didn't say it.
At home, amongst the Mallorn trees.
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JRandomRohirrim
Rohan
Mar 23 2007, 9:41am
Post #2 of 25
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I usually do ours early (but send them in on time if we owe)
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Last year, I was so early I forgot to submit one of my contractor payments and had to submit an amended form.
This year, I had a stressful contract and then I was sick, so I didn't send them until the second week of March. As I file electronically, we got our refund Monday.
This weekend, I need to help our daughter with her taxes. And, I still have to do our state and local taxes because I know we owe a little to both.
Boycott New Line!
http://www.boycottnewline.com
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Draupne
Forum Admin
/ Moderator
Mar 23 2007, 10:30am
Post #3 of 25
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check the already filled in papers I get in a month or two, then sign them and send them in, there's not really anything to put off. Never found any mistakes so the checking is just a formality. I think I can do it online if I want to, so I don't even have to use money on the stamp. Jus log in and check the OK box.
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Owlyross
Rohan
Mar 23 2007, 10:48am
Post #4 of 25
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unless you're self-employed you don't have to do your own tax. My Dad's an accountant, and the self-assessment term finished at the end of January.
We get the occasional letter from the Inland Revenue (our IRS) and they're generally not good, but in the past year, both my fiancee and I have had tax rebates due to being put on a higher tax code than we shouold have been. Always nice surprises!
"Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both."
Benjamin Franklin
The world is a tragedy to those who feel, but a comedy to those who think.
Horace Walpole (1717 - 1797)
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Wynnie
Rohan
Mar 23 2007, 12:23pm
Post #5 of 25
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I did ours a few weekends ago. Time was I used to do them in mid-February, as soon as I was sure I had all the statements in, but in recent years I've slipped back to March. I'm always so glad to get that job done for the year. But then this year I had to fill out a FAFSA too, since our son's starting college in the fall. Too many forms!
Owlamoo
ink drawing by JRRT
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FantasyFan
Rohan
Mar 23 2007, 1:04pm
Post #6 of 25
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We have ours done because of a rental house we own. And they've been done since the beginning of February, for those financial aid forms Winnie mentioned. All sent in,  and spent the refund already too.
"That is one thing that Men call 'hope.' Amdir we call it, 'looking up.' But there is another which is founded deeper. Estel we call it, that is 'trust.' It is not defeated by the ways of the world, for it does not come from experience, but from our nature and First Being. If we are indeed the Eruhin, the Children of the One, then He will not suffer Himself to be deprived of His own, not by any enemy, not even by ourselves. This is the last foundation of estel, which we keep even when we contemplate the End. Of all His designs the issue must be for His children's joy."
Finrod, Athrabeth Finrod ah Andreth, HoME X Morgoth's Ring
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Advising Elf
Rohan
Mar 23 2007, 1:48pm
Post #7 of 25
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For the last several years I used H&R Block's TaxCut software. It made everything so easy and when you e-file and use direct deposit for the refunds you get them in about a week.
H&R Block ticked me off this year though when they sent me my disk. They mail you a disk as a reminder, then you pay for it online to use it. The disk cover said "Includes one state tax software FREE!" The cost was $29.95. When I was in Wal-Mart, I saw the software there. It showed $19.95 for the Federal and $9.95 for each state.
I don't like being played for a sucker, so I went to the IRS website and used one of the online programs that they refer you to. I didn't qualify for free returns, but I only spent less than $25.00 total and I have to do returns for 2 states. E-filing was free. H&R B charge for each e-file.
My tax situation is real simple. If anyone else's is simple, I recommend this route. Check what forms the site covers first, though. I started on one and had to quit and go to another becaue the first one didn't have the form for Non-Cash charitable contributions.
Yahoo!Group with good stuff to download:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LOTRgoodies/
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Aerlinn
Lorien
Mar 23 2007, 2:07pm
Post #8 of 25
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There's no escaping it. Taxes taxes everywhere...
Mine went in nearly a month ago; even though I work for an accounting firm I went through TurboTax online as I have the last couple of years. It was free last year, but this year they charged $29.95... still, worth it. Refund gotten and spent. (Stupid mortgage.) My state return I telefiled, as they seem to prefer, but my refund is lost in the ether somewhere. I still need to call and harass someone about it.
'I cannot read the furry letters,' said Frodo in a quavering voice.
'No,' said Gandalf, 'but I can.'
'One Ring to drool on them all, One Ring to heed them
One Ring to bring them all and remind them all to feed them
In the land of Kitchen where the litter lies.'
My TORn archives - to be updated sooner or later
673.11
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Aerlinn
Lorien
Mar 23 2007, 2:34pm
Post #9 of 25
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And then all *&!@ broke loose ... but: About the deep breath before the plunge - someone asked me yesterday if the office was starting to calm down. I restrained the incredulous look I wanted to give him and said "I think it's starting to ramp up, if anything." 'Cause - tax season!
'I cannot read the furry letters,' said Frodo in a quavering voice.
'No,' said Gandalf, 'but I can.'
'One Ring to drool on them all, One Ring to heed them
One Ring to bring them all and remind them all to feed them
In the land of Kitchen where the litter lies.'
My TORn archives - to be updated sooner or later
673.11
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Annael
Elvenhome
Mar 23 2007, 3:01pm
Post #10 of 25
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I've been slow this year, and it's a good thing
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Usually I do them in February, but haven't managed to get around to them yet. And it's good because yesterday I got a letter from them telling me I owed over $5,000 from last year's return! I looked at their letter and at my return and figured out that the stock I'd sold that I had as a benefit through my company had been reported twice to them, both on my W-2 and on a 1099-B form the company sent them too, but the taxes were only shown as taken out on the W-2, not the other form. I called them up and explained this and the guy said "oh, okay, I can accept that explanation, I'll send you a letter telling you it's okay now." Which was so easy I could hardly believe it! But the good thing was, I sold off the rest of the stock last year, and the same thing is probably going to happen, so I asked him how to make sure it was clear on my return and he told me, so now I can complete my taxes with a tranquil mind.
I use TurboTax and love it. It's saved me quite a bit of money.
Only a real man would dare do his morning power walk in a puffy shirt.
NARF and member of Deplorable Cultus since 1967
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Aunt Dora Baggins
Immortal
Mar 23 2007, 3:21pm
Post #11 of 25
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We always end up owning a couple of thousand dollars, since Uncle Baggins is self-employed. Uncle Baggins always makes out the check to the "Infernal Revenue Service". They always cash it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"For DORA BAGGINS in memory of a LONG correspondence, with love from Bilbo; on a large wastebasket. Dora was Drogo's sister, and the eldest surviving female relative of Bilbo and Frodo; she was ninety-nine, and had written reams of good advice for more than half a century."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chance Meeting at Rivendell: a Tolkien Fanfic
and some other stuff I wrote...
leleni at hotmail dot com
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Ginger
Rohan
Mar 23 2007, 3:32pm
Post #12 of 25
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I love it!
I'm with you. We always end up owing what seems like a lot (because somebody doesn't listen to me), so we don't file until April 10th or so.
*note to self*
Learn new boards. "Sticky" is not an admonishment to a tornsib named Sticky.
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Alcarcalime
Tol Eressea
Mar 23 2007, 4:04pm
Post #13 of 25
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Boy, most people here are on the ball...
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We usually have the taxes done by the end of Feb., but this year one mutual fund with foreign (non-US) investments sent us a letter telling us they couldn't send the 1099 until after March 31. I am not happy! I have an appointment for April 9 and always e-file, so it should be painless (except for having to pay state taxes every year).
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grammaboodawg
Immortal
Mar 23 2007, 4:45pm
Post #14 of 25
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My coworker does taxes... and after screwing up my VERY simple 2005 taxes, I have her do them for me. She says she's been busier this year earlier than before because the companies are getting their W2s out to people sooners, and online makes it easier.
I pay my property taxes with my refunds, so my refunds are just handed right back ;)
They made me go to a meeting this morning... and someone said "the doors are shut." The geeks that were approached had so much fun...
"Speak 'friend' and enter!"
"MELLON!"
"The way is shut!"
and so on and so on...
THEN, as we entered the room, someone else said, "What's that smell?" I piped, "It's a nasty Bog!" We were on the administrative floor, afterall ;)
Let's just say the entire meeting became quite hobbity for a while :D
 
Trust him... The Hobbit is coming!
"Barney Snow was here." ~Hug like a hobbit!~ "In my heaven..."
TORn's Observations Lists
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Arwen's daughter
Half-elven
Mar 23 2007, 4:58pm
Post #15 of 25
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But I put everything off. I fill out all my little forms and try to resist the temptation to go running to Dad, who's in his own little tax h%$ since my parents own a small business and are busy getting everything together for their accountant to look over. Last year I filed on April 14th (and was something like 43 cents off on my state forms), this year I plan to do it a little sooner.
My LiveJournal
My Costuming Site
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dernwyn
Forum Admin
/ Moderator
Mar 23 2007, 8:21pm
Post #16 of 25
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In one of my jobs I'm self-employed, so I send in federal and state checks every quarter, and over-estimate so we get something back. I haven't yet gotten the courage up to make them out to "Infernal Revenue Service", but I bet you aren't the only ones who do! 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Confusticate and bebother these dwarves!"
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RosieLass
Valinor
Mar 23 2007, 9:10pm
Post #17 of 25
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I've been busy and haven't had time.
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Or, didn't remember it when I did have time. 
But I plan to work on it this weekend.
We use TurboTax, because ours is easy enough.
Children’s Interpretations of the Bible
Lot’s wife was a pillar of salt during the day, but a ball of fire during the night.
The greatest miracle in the Bible is when Joshua told his son to stand still and he obeyed him.
Christians have only one spouse. This is called monotony.
http://mallika.vox.com/
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Kimi
Forum Admin
/ Moderator
Mar 23 2007, 10:10pm
Post #18 of 25
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We have our own business, and I do the book-keeping for it, which includes doing the tax returns. Our tax year ends on 31 March, so I have that to look forward to :-)
People who aren't self-employed don't have to do tax returns in New Zealand.
  
Promises to Keep: a novel set in 19th Century New Zealand.
The Passing of Mistress Rose
Do we find happiness so often that we should turn it off the box when it happens to sit there?
- A Room With a View
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Alnilam
Rivendell
Mar 24 2007, 12:23am
Post #19 of 25
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I refuse to pay for software to do it for me. Especially at the rate where I'd be paying 25% of the potential refund for the software. In Brazil, you download it for free from the Ministry of Revenue and you can e-file without problems.
In any case, I usually recalculate my forms three times, but this year I used an online filing service to do the third calculation. It was one of those services where you only have to pay when you send or print. I just filled it out, checked my numbers and deleted everything.
Nice things this year: credit for taking a part-time course and the new public transit tax credit for the monthly bus passes.
Alnilam's Realm
From the Old TORN Boards: Top 5 Browsers/OSs:
1. Microsoft Internet Explorer V5.5 using Windows 98 (1568)
2. Microsoft Internet Explorer V6.0 using Windows 98 (890)
3. Microsoft Internet Explorer V6.0 using Windows 98 (464)
4. Microsoft Internet Explorer V5.0 using Windows 98 (175)
5. Microsoft Internet Explorer V5.5 using Windows 98 (136)
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Patty
Immortal
Mar 24 2007, 12:33am
Post #20 of 25
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another reason for Ringers to move to New Zealand.
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all that beauty and consideration for tax-payers, too. Because I can assure you Kiwis, tax preparation can be the pits.
At home, amongst the Mallorn trees.
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GaladrielTX
Tol Eressea
Mar 24 2007, 12:40am
Post #21 of 25
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We didn't put off calculating the taxes, just paying them.
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I’ll probably send out the money in a week or so. H&R Block does our taxes, and we went to them in late February, but we forgot we’d paid some interest on our mortgage on the condo early last year before we sold the unit. We didn’t ever get a 1099-INT for it in the mail so it’s a lucky thing we caught it while the lady was working on our taxes. We had to hold off on finalizing the return till we could get it from the bank.
It’s a good thing, too, because, while we were waiting for that, we happened to remember the sellers paid a point on the mortgage for our current house at closing. We get to deduct that point over the life of the loan. (We bought the house in December of 2005, but we couldn’t take a mortgage deduction that year because the interest and taxes we’d paid that year - mostly on the condo - weren’t very much. So since we couldn’t take the deduction on the point paid that year as one lump, for some reason the IRS says if we want a deduction for it we have to amortize it over the life of the loan from this year on. Nasty and complicated.) Anyway, the two deductions added up to around $250. Every bit helps.
~~~~~~~~
I used to be GaladrielTX, but my TX went off into the Blue to have mad adventures.
(This post was edited by Galadriel on Mar 24 2007, 12:42am)
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Patty
Immortal
Mar 24 2007, 2:38am
Post #22 of 25
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You can say that again, Tex. I was glad we had donated so much in the way of old electronics, books, clothes etc. to Goodwill, cause that charitable deduction is handy.
At home, amongst the Mallorn trees.
(This post was edited by Patty on Mar 24 2007, 2:39am)
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Penthe
Gondor
Mar 24 2007, 10:01am
Post #23 of 25
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We usually do our tax in July or August, which is the traditional time to do it here. I'm very good about it, since the government usually owes me money.
This year I got a statement from the US. I paid $4.25 in US tax!!!! Do I need to do a return? If I don't will I ever get a visa for this fair country? Would Theoden let me in if he was king? Who can say.
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Elf Princess of Lorien
Bree
Mar 24 2007, 10:58pm
Post #24 of 25
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I was moaning about having to do my taxes to a friend last night (I always take mine to H&R Block, but jeez, they are so expensive for an EZ form!! I just have never done my own, so it scares the crap out of me. I don't DO math!) and she got the TaxCut software and said I could use it since it lets you do more than one tax form, but only for one year. She said it was super easy and impossible to me to screw up, so I figured I'd try it.
Now, do you have to pay to file it electronically after the cost of the software? Anything else to tell someone who's never used it?
'Mercy!' cried Gandalf. 'If the giving of information is to be the cure of you inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you. What more do you want to know?'
'The names of all the stars, and of all living things, and the whole history of Middle-earth and Over-heaven and of the Sundering Seas,' laughed Pippin. 'Of course! What less?'"
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Aerin
Grey Havens
Mar 26 2007, 3:59am
Post #25 of 25
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I do them myself, but haven't had time.
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Fortunately, TurboTax makes it a lot faster!
Actually, what takes the longest is completing the form that shows I didn't underpay my estimated tax (since I'm self-employed). This one form takes about twice as long as all the rest of the forms combined. What a pain!
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