Tax Preparation

[Paschale]

it completely blows my mind at how some people are so happy after doing their taxes that they are getting a refund....

I totally see your point, but another way to look at it is that a lot of people make a guesstimate at how much they will have to pay, and they would rather have that paid out throughout the course of the year, rather than paying all in one fell swoop.  There were years where I didn't have Uncle Sam take out enough, using the exact logic you're talking about.  My income is different from year to year, and I always have a boatload of W-2 and 1099 forms, and it's hard to always gage how much I'm going to need to pay.  I finally started having Uncle Sam take out a little more, for my benefit, and I'm always pleased if there's a bit that I'll get back.  I don't view it as found money at all, but I'm content with the arrangement, and always prefer getting a little something back, instead of having to pay something.  And this is where I think a good accountant comes into play:  I've always gotten a return when I use his services.

[Dan_Shade]

my personal opinions on the matter is that withholdings should be illegal all together, Apr 15 would wake up washington, and we'd have a government that is a little more by the people, and for the people...

now I understand that's not going to happen, and I can understand why people do what you do, but I always look at people with a raised eyebrow that are happy to get a refund.

[SwampDonkey]

Dan, I think maybe it should be looked like this. If I haven't got to pay any more extra from what I've already paid, then I'm happy. If I get some back I feel better than having to pay more. Don't you?

Unfortunately, I have to pay a little this year, not much, but I think the basic exception is way too low, it's below the poverty line. Make a politician live on that and they will die within a month.

[Tom]

I never understood why, if you pay-in too much, you get some change back.  But, if you don't pay in enough, you get fined when you send them the rest.

[SwampDonkey]

 

[pigman]

I let a CPA do my taxes. I am just too dumb to keep up with all the tax laws, especially the ones dealing with farming. I have had four different CPAs do my taxes over the last forty one years and I have had to pay in every year except one . The year I didn't owe any taxes wasn't because I had a good tax preparer, it was because I didn't make much money. On a few good years I have had to pay in enough to the IRS and KY treasurer to buy a fancy car. Those years I left the CPA's office  smiling knowing I had made some money that year.

Bob the poor farmer, sawyer and furniture maker
Edit:
I will say that paying all of one's income taxes; federal, state and local, at one time will make a person realize just how much money our governments wants from us.

[bull]

Im smilin Went to the tax man last night..... My Uncle Sam from DC and The folks from the statehouse here in Taxachusetts are each sending me a nice check !!!  I love earned income credits !!!  It will be Christmas time all over again.

 About two hours at the accountants, coffee,convesation and a nice vist w/ a gift when I left !!
 No headache, heartburn,indigestion, or high blood presure....  Worth every dime of the $360.00
we pay him each year......

Great way to start the season !!!