Taxes.
Every year that I have earned enough money to qualify for paying taxes has been complicated.
One year I had ten jobs in two states. 2014 was the first year I had only one job.
But we lived and worked in different states.
Can someone please tell me how you do taxes and stay sane? And why don't they teach you how to do this in school?
Last year, Caleb filed our taxes using one of those online programs. He was a ball of stress. I complimented him, praised him for tackling our first ever married taxes, cleaned and cooked to create a happy environment.
This year, after some pumping up and empowering from an accountant co-worker, I took on the pile of tax-y paperwork using a different online program. I flew through the federal return and was feeling awesome until 9:30 pm. "Bedtime," my wise husband said, gently guiding me away from the tax prep software.
The next day, I was back at it, ready to go. I made it through my first (of two) state returns. My back was tense. I started snapping.
[As an aside, if you have never seen me get mad or grouchy, I tend to say things like, "UGH. I AM NOT MAD AT YOU CALEB. I AM JUST MAD AT STUPID TAXES." And Caleb says, "I know. Thanks for doing our taxes. You're doing great." while he cooks and cleans. Sounds like role reversal from last year to me...]
State return one - finished. On to state return two. I am trying to deep breathe, trying to focus on the questions that I am supposed to understand. But no. I cannot. And now I have to pay for my state return number one in order to answer this question on state return number two. I pay. I go back and realized I didn't have to answer this question. It is too much. I start to cry angry "I-hate-you-taxes" tears. I realize this is ridiculous and hit the magical button that says, "Save and exit." Will try again tomorrow.
Next year, we are paying someone so that we don't have to do this. Sometimes, paying hundreds of dollars for emotional health and to avoid the pressure of being unsure if you are unintentionally lying to the government is a bargain.
Title of this blog post from a [very old] song by Relient K
Every year that I have earned enough money to qualify for paying taxes has been complicated.
One year I had ten jobs in two states. 2014 was the first year I had only one job.
But we lived and worked in different states.
Can someone please tell me how you do taxes and stay sane? And why don't they teach you how to do this in school?
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| If taxes give you anxiety, look at this happy green sunshine. Happy. Inhale. Exhale. |
This year, after some pumping up and empowering from an accountant co-worker, I took on the pile of tax-y paperwork using a different online program. I flew through the federal return and was feeling awesome until 9:30 pm. "Bedtime," my wise husband said, gently guiding me away from the tax prep software.
The next day, I was back at it, ready to go. I made it through my first (of two) state returns. My back was tense. I started snapping.
[As an aside, if you have never seen me get mad or grouchy, I tend to say things like, "UGH. I AM NOT MAD AT YOU CALEB. I AM JUST MAD AT STUPID TAXES." And Caleb says, "I know. Thanks for doing our taxes. You're doing great." while he cooks and cleans. Sounds like role reversal from last year to me...]
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| Here is Goliath. He is peaceful. Look at Goliath and feel peaceful and warm and fuzzy. |
Next year, we are paying someone so that we don't have to do this. Sometimes, paying hundreds of dollars for emotional health and to avoid the pressure of being unsure if you are unintentionally lying to the government is a bargain.
Title of this blog post from a [very old] song by Relient K
So sorry for your pain. :-(
ReplyDeleteI love that Reliant K cd!
thanks! we will probably survive... ;)
DeleteI use turbotax these days. That has made it very easy to do taxes.
ReplyDeletethat's what we used last year, but for some reason, we did not find it easy. Easier, yes. easy, no.
DeleteWe did taxes the first couple of years we were married. It was fine, but whatever. We now save the right stuff, I have fun organizing it and labeling what it is, and we spend 15 minutes with a lady in town. Two weeks later the money from our return shows up in our account. It costs us $80. Worth. Every. Penny. I never stress about taxes now. :) [and I feel like she always gets more than I would get back if I did it on my own.]
ReplyDeleteSo good. I think we will do that next year...
Delete