jenk

Completed our taxes via the IRS Free File option. Specifically I filled out the 1040 and schedules as e-forms, then submitted them to the IRS.

Why: I used to file on paper. Things got more complicated, so I starting using Intuit. But Intuit kept getting a stock option thing wrong, and I would have to figure out how to lie to the TurboTax questionnaire to fix it.

This is not exactly helpful.

I have other issues with Intuit, such as their extensive lobbying to keep basic taxes HARD so people will want TurboTax (or other help). So I looked into the "Free File" program. They do have participating programs that also guide you through your taxes! I just decided that since I
know what I need (mostly schedule B & D) I ... just did that.

11:00 Note to self: Check if local PO is open late on April 15th before agreeing to mail extension for a friend at 9pm on the 15th. #
11:00 Also double-check address given in @SeattleTimes for open post office with post office site. #
11:00 The @SeattleTimes stated Riverton PO is Seattle tinyurl.com/y5ek5cm but it's in Seatac! Thanks @komonewsradio for CORRECT INFO. #
11:10 Note to self: Also useful: husband who has number for @KOMONewsRadio memorized. ;) #
12:30 Yum: Juicy orange. Oops: Orange squirts juice at my shirt. #
18:54 Kitty plays with iPad. *dead of cute* www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9NP-AeKX40 #
21:20 Checked the airline website to confirm @xaritech is back in the Seattle area. Start to tweet that he's here and he calls. :) #

Copied from http://www.twitter.com/jenk3 via LoudTwitter cause it's easy :)

As an update, I did hear back from @SeattleTimes - they updated the article in question. Of course, now it's the 16th, so not sure how useful that is...

Current Mood: amused

17:42 Realizing I could do tax return. Eep.
17:45 I think I will not tax the headache meds by trying to do taxes.

Automatically copied from http://www.twitter.com/jenk3 via LoudTwitter cause it's easy :)

Current Mood: amused

What to do if you haven't filed your tax return.

One man's tale of how the IRS became his favorite creditor. It's sorta surreal.

And from XKCD: how to pirate techno music :)

Current Mood: amused

I tried to give options for the non-US taxpayers out there, but remember you can always click "submit" without filling in the poll to just see the answers.

[Poll #1171586]

Current Mood: awake

Ok, this year took longer than usual. Partly because I kept putting it off. Partly because the threads weren't coming together.

The below is mostly for my reference, so I will use an ( LJ cut )

Current Mood: thoughtful

11:57 Windows live site designer seems to prefer embedded flash to javascript. Interesting. kilsmith.com/jenread.aspx #
20:02 Dinner was made by the fantabulous JW1776. To those who ask, "But doesn't he cook as much or more than you do anyway?" I say: Exactly!!! #
20:34 Right. Supposed to do taxes. Or at least continue to make progress with taxes. #
20:57 Why does the thought of schedule D make me feel so tired? It's like an insomnia remedy. #
21:19 I think it's that schedule D is "sell stocks at loss, put proceeds into index funds." It's housekeeping. #

Automatically copied from http://www.twitter.com/jenk3 via LoudTwitter cause it's easy :)

IRS info on the tax "rebate". In particular, from Facts on the 2008 Stimulus Payments:

[Payment recipients] will not have to complete applications, file any extra forms or call the Internal Revenue Service to request the payment, which is automatic. The IRS will determine eligibility, figure the amount and issue the payment.

Apparently there are identity thieves mailing and calling "from" the IRS asking for information to "apply" for the rebate. Can you say "bottom feeder"?

They also emphasize that the IRS will use the 2007 tax return to calculate the payment, so even if you don't have to file officially, you might want to file anyway.

Current Mood: busy

The $1 check has been cashed.

I am tempted to order a copy for framing.

Current Mood: amused

Today was the recheck-with-a-fresh-mind. I also made use of an online version of TurboTax, which had pros & cons. ( details )

The Bottom Line: We owe $1.

Current Mood: amused

I confirmed we have W2s, 1099s, 1098, and related info a few days ago.
I have cookies, diet Pepsi, and music.
I made IRA contributions for both of us.

6:20 update:
Schedule b done.
Made a pot of Tahitian Blend.
Starting on schedule d.
music: Michelle Dockrey, "Mal's Song"

7:00 update:
( note to self )
Music: Mary Chapin Carpenter, "River"

7:15 update:
Working on schedule A.
(For locals - King county has property tax info online - easy to look up :)
Music: Mary Chapin Carpenter, "This Is Me Leaving You"

7:30 update:

skydancer is here
Also for locals: WA Local and State Sales Tax Summary
Music: Ozzy Osbourne, "Mama, I'm Coming Home"

7:50 update:

dianthus is also here
Done with first draft - will check it over with a fresh mind before sending it in.
Music: Melissa Etheridge, "The Boy Feels Strange"

Current Mood: geeky
Current Music: George Michael, "Father Figure"

There can be wide variations in how much property owners are taxed in various cities, King County Assessor Scott Noble says. ( Read more... )

The differences are a result of the public will and taxing districts. Voter approval of various measures — school levies and hospitals bonds, for example — account for about 40 percent of a property owner's tax bill.

Then each county can have more than 100 taxing districts related to its community services — water districts, school districts, fire districts, etc. — and each will want its slice of the property-tax pie.

That's why what a property owner pays "depends on where they live — there are different rates for different parts of the county," Noble said.

And because taxing districts can overlap, King County alone has 268 total property-tax levy rates.
Source: Home Forum column

So the property tax (pdf) rate varies depending on where you live. And the assessed value varies depending on many factors...of which location is a biggie. According to the state's website, "[t]here are approximately 3,300 unique Tax Code Areas in the state of Washington."

Current Mood: thoughtful

Commercial tax preparers made errors, sometimes amounting to more than $1,000 in incorrect refunds and overpayments, in 100 percent of returns brought to them by a government agency seeking to test the accuracy of work done by large chain tax-preparation firms.

The study by the Government Accountability Office was small -- only 19 returns, which the GAO cautioned cannot be used to generalize to the entire commercial return-preparation industry -- but on only two returns did the preparer produce what the agency determined was the right amount. And even those two had mistakes, though they did not affect the final tax amount.

Source: Washington Post

And people wonder why I prefer to do my own taxes....

Current Mood: cynical
Current Music: muzak

Entries tagged with taxes

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Tax Day Poll :)

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stir-fried semi-random

IRS details on tax "rebate"

tax update

tax epilogue

US-centric post to assure myself I'm making progress

washington state tax variations, part 2542

quote of the day: taxes

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