I decided that since I have fairly simple taxes, I should in fact attempt to do them on my own. With the help of a computer program and last year's taxes and my mom on the phone, of course.
So that's where I'm at. Wish me luck. I hope there's a refund at the end of this tax nightmare.
Ah tax time, when I have to pretend that my money is going to social services and not 100% directly to build drones to use to accidentally bomb weddings. I'm contemplating hiring someone to do them for me but I don't know how much it costs and I'm afraid what will happen is what happens every time I hire someone, they find new and creative ways to screw me. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteI do my own taxes every year the old-fashioned way, i.e., with paper, pen and a calculator. I'm scared to put any financial info on the computer in case I get hacked. Just paranoid that way, I guess.
ReplyDeleteI've been doing my own taxes for years. Just get H&R Block for the computer (it $20) and it literally walks you through it. Its super easy if you don't have any stocks, interest and don't try to itemize deductions.
ReplyDeleteDoing taxes online is easy. They hold your hand through everything and will scold/correct you if you screw up. With that said, I'm an independent contractor, so I dread tax day... it's the day I have to actually pay all those taxes I owe. BOO.
ReplyDeleteI paid someone to do my taxes the first time when I had some writing income in addition to regular wages. It was the best money I ever spent. Before that my taxes (fairly simple ones all things considered) would take an entire, very frustrating day. Even when I went back to regular wages I didn't even consider not getting them done by a pro. She did the paperwork to open my consulting business, and gives me a deal on my business taxes, and it's the best money I spend. For what amounts to a a dozen or so hours of work a year for me I save days of frustrating anguished cursing and swearing. The most important reason is to make sure they are done right, to claim what I'm entitled to claim, and most importantly, to keep me a long way from audit territory. Sure, get H&R to do it, then review with your paperwork in hand to make sure they didn't make any obvious errors. The tax code in both Canada and the USA is so complex it's easy to make a mistake, and if they think you made that error deliberately, your life is done. Your file is flagged for every single encounter with the government. Tax evasion is how they put away more crooks than anything else. Not the thefts or other crimes, goofing on taxes. A word to the wise.
ReplyDelete....Now I am terrified of accidentally unintentionally committing tax fraud. Shudder.
DeleteI itemize. It takes two hours or so. The first time I don't remember how long it took, but I cried. I have it under control now.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Me too!!! I'm all "ugh, taxes" and "ooh, free money," and "awww, how come you got more free money than me?" Say, where's my cheese?
ReplyDeleteTaxes make me mad even when I don't have to do them myself. I just want to keep AALL my money.
ReplyDeleteMy taxes are easy but I feel the same way. It's still a pain in the ass.
ReplyDeleteI haven't done my own taxes in years. It's worth it to me to pay someone else to deal with it. There's not enough cheese in the world for that mess.
ReplyDeleteTax details could get very complicated, and people find it boring and time-consuming most of the time. But there are a lot of ways to deal with taxes, and all you have to do afterwards is wait for the refund, if there's any. Anyway, I think that by having no property tax and dependents, you could actually save a lot of money – which is great, right? Thanks for sharing this cute post with us, Gia. All the best!
ReplyDeleteWanda Hanson @ Tax Tiger
I had a great time reading this blog with variety. Attached pictures helps me more to understand about taxes. I will share this to others. Let me also shared you my ideas about taxes here. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteTax day can truly be stressful for everyone, especially those who handle a lot of businesses. I think you're lucky enough that you don't have any dependents and other businesses, as your taxes are easy to sort out that way. I hope that your tax day went well, Gia. Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteTracy Frazier @ Sunnen Law Bankruptcy Firm
I love these little jokes and riddles about taxes. Too many people simply get terrified at the thought the IRS will come knocking and take everything they have if they make a mistake. Keep all your receipts, keep good records, and seek the help of a professional. Our local library has IRS agents prepare taxes for free for residents. Great way to eliminate doubt and stress from the return.
ReplyDeleteWanda Hanson @ Tax-Tiger