First Anticipation loan SC

[CoffeeMonkey]

All I have is my w2 and a small mutual fund. I use a free online preparation, e-file, and then pay the 17 bucks or whatnot to e-file the state along with it. It's SO much easier than using the forms and charts where I'm always terrified that I'm going to do something wrong. My refund is direct deposited and a few days, and it's all easy-peasy. I can't imagine paying someone to do it unless I had a LOT of deductions and other bits to do.

In fact, I plan to do my taxes tomorrow.

[DGoddessChardonnay]

*still finds it amusing that the Pennsylvania forms...are longer than the *Federal* ones*

We are, after all, the land of red tape. Hell, we invented it
Seriously though, I've always done my own taxes via TurboTax. Nothing really hard about it--just fill in the blanks. Granted, I'm an accountant, but still. What usually happens, is I'll get a nice refund from the Feds, but have to pay state and local.

I've always done my own taxes, as they are simple as pie (just one W2 form - nothing else, no deductions, etc.)

And the NC state form (D-400) is still 4 pages. Even though it's one page for the 1040-EZ (although there are several in addition to do if you are e-filing like I do now, such as the authorization form, direct deposit authorization, W2 form) the state form hasn't changed in 20 years.

Which took me this year . . . 1 second to do, as TaxSimple simply transferred my info from my federal return to the state one. I knew how much my refund is from the state before the form was finished with the auto-fill.

Interesting tidbit, which I rectified over the weekend: if you have a Taxpayer PIN code, you do not have to file the Form 8453 (Declaration for E-file.)

So I self-selected a PIN so hopefully I won't get that pesky letter from the IRS tellin me I didn't file the 8453.

[bankworking]

I hate when customers get the cards from the tax places... then come to me to try to cash advance the whole amount.

ME: "Are you aware that there is a $20 fee to cash advance on that card?"
SC: "You're charging me $20?"
ME: "No ma'am. We don't have a charge for cash advances on our side. If you'll look over all the forms the tax place gave yu when they sold you that card, you will see that there is a $20 fee for cash advances."
SC: "I'm going to call and complain!" (later) "They said the $20 fee was your charge!"
ME: "Here ma'am, let me pull up their website and show you where they have their fee clearly disclosed."
SC: "I can't afford another $20. I already paid to have my money now."
ME: "I believe they recommend using the card for purchases... there isn't a fee on that."

eh, the conversation goes on and on. The point is, I've spent more time explaining the tax-places' stupid cards than I have explaining some of our OWN products.

[protege]

Which version of turbo tax do you like?

I've actually been using H&R Block's TaxCut. Premium Federal version...my bad. Turbotax doesn't always update on my computer, so I switched to this. Plus, I can get it at a serious discount

[AmethystSquirrel]

I am currently working at a tax prep place where we do RAL and ERC (Electronic Refund Checks) in 8-15 days less our fees and a $30 bank app.

I have a couple stories I am saving up!

[LadyAndreca]

Mmm...I'm not looking forward to doing taxes this year. I've been doing my own since my first job, when my dad sat me down and walked me through it. My husband, on the other hand, has never done it, since his parents have always taken care of it.

I imagine filing a joint return can't be THAT much harder than past ones, but I'm going to have to figure it all out myself. I just hope the status change/name change isn't going to be a hassle.

[malmalthekiller]

I hate when customers get the cards from the tax places... then come to me to try to cash advance the whole amount.

ME: "Are you aware that there is a $20 fee to cash advance on that card?"
SC: "You're charging me $20?"
ME: "No ma'am. We don't have a charge for cash advances on our side. If you'll look over all the forms the tax place gave yu when they sold you that card, you will see that there is a $20 fee for cash advances."
SC: "I'm going to call and complain!" (later) "They said the $20 fee was your charge!"
ME: "Here ma'am, let me pull up their website and show you where they have their fee clearly disclosed."
SC: "I can't afford another $20. I already paid to have my money now."
ME: "I believe they recommend using the card for purchases... there isn't a fee on that."

eh, the conversation goes on and on. The point is, I've spent more time explaining the tax-places' stupid cards than I have explaining some of our OWN products.

I know what you're talking about. I was given a bundle of papers about tax checks at work, and what sort of things I'm allowed to cash and not. We're not even supposed to take the cards.

And thank god my mom is doing my taxes, since I was a student all last year. After this year, I no longer have a free ride.

[PhotoChick]

I've always do my own taxes and it was always just the 1040ez. I did the ex's using turbotax the first year we were together. Really easy just input the number and go.

[Camry178]

Mmm...I'm not looking forward to doing taxes this year. I've been doing my own since my first job, when my dad sat me down and walked me through it. My husband, on the other hand, has never done it, since his parents have always taken care of it.

I imagine filing a joint return can't be THAT much harder than past ones, but I'm going to have to figure it all out myself. I just hope the status change/name change isn't going to be a hassle.

It shouldn't be too hard. All you're doing now is adding up the figures from two W-2's instead of just one.

[draftermatt]

I use a tax prep service. My taxes are a pain in the ass. 2 incomes, mortgage interest, charitable donations, education things, etc.

Oddly enough I just wait until the IRS and the State want to deposit the refund into my checking account.

There are things I want to do with that money (if I get a refund this year) but not enough to have to pay extra for a freaking loan, etc.

[Primer]

I learned a harsh lesson 20 years ago, the first time I filed a joint return. The then husband had changed his W-4 and declared me as a dependent. I was working 2 positions at my place of employment, but HR never figured out how to take both into consideration when withholding. We ended up owing about $3000 that year. Ever since, MY W-4 ha been "Married, but withholding at the higher single rate and 0 deductions" Plus, any time I'm also working an hourly job, I have them withhold an additional $25 per pay period.

The gummint is free to use my money all year long as long as I don't have to pay more in April!

These days the new DH and I generally get just about everything back thanks to mortgage interest, taxes, and medical bills. I still get a kick out of getting a $6K refund, tho!

[taxguykarl]

I imagine filing a joint return can't be THAT much harder than past ones, but I'm going to have to figure it all out myself. I just hope the status change/name change isn't going to be a hassle.

Not likely. Just as long as your name change was reported to the Social Security Administration. Keep a copy of your marriage license, just in case. It is mostly a case of totaling the wage and withholding on the 1040.