Jan 06 2009
Love my little tax deductions…
Whooo hooo so it’s that time of year again. The time when people spend hours searching for last years receipts, long lines at the post office for those procrastinators, and all the muttering and cursing at stuffy old people in tiny cubicles. That’s right folks, it’s tax time!
I do my taxes a few different ways, I’ve been doing my own since I was 17 and actually making money. I thought I would share a few tips for the easy ways to not only do your taxes, but do them right. Now, I’m not an expert, so any advice you take from me, do so at your own damn risk.
For those of you with no deductions, such as kids or school expenses, file either on the phone, or do the IRS e-file. It’s fast and pretty self explanatory. Those with deductions, such as children or other expenses, you can still file online, just not the phone version.
If you file your taxes yourself, make sure you have everything you need first. Gather up your last pay stub, your W-2, a calculator, pencil and paper. Even if you file online, go to your local library and get the book and forms you need. This is for your practice run. I always fill out a paper form, then keep it with my printed out tax returns. It not only gives me an estimate of what I either owe or get back, if ever you are audited, a paper filled form will show you and the IRS where you went wrong.
Now, as to how to file. I either fill out my paper forms and take them to H&R Block, then go for the rapid refund check. Or I fill out my paper forms and go turbo tax, getting the direct deposit. For my state, I still end up getting a paper check mailed to me.
Here’s a few links to keep in mind and to help you out a bit. The IRS site is a great place for all those questions you cannot get answers to over the phone.
www.irs.gov
www.turbotax.com
Now one thing many of you might not know, is that most filers can do so for free. Turbo tax has the free federal version, as does the IRS site. I then go to my own states tax site, and file for free there. As you do all this, think on it this way, the next time your child irritates you, simply remind yourself of that little rebate check they help you get at the end of the year. Then wait until they are 18, and you are no longer getting it before kicking them out…LOL
