Taxes *cry*

markolas · #1 01-22-2005, 09:46 AM

I have just discovered that I'm going to have to *pay* $636 this year.

This has to be some mistake. My W-2 form says that I had the same amount of federal taxes withheld in 2004 as in 2003, and I made $8k *more* in 2004. Something has to be wrong, right?

*groan*

strandinthewind · #2 01-22-2005, 10:49 AM

www.turbotax.com - it is a good program that can help you spot dedecutions you did not know you had if you do not use the standard deduction and instead you itemize.

There are other programs as well. So, just look around and choose the one that is best for you.

Also, I ALWAYS print the IRS' booklets on the 1040 and the related deduction forms. These booklets contain examples and indicdences that are acceptable and vice versa.

Finally, if you have an H&R Block in your area, they (a live person) usually will do your taxes for under $100 (I think it is actually like $50) - go here for more info. http://www.hrblock.com/ - be sure and check out others as well as mabe they will offer a better deal.

GOOD LUCK

macfanken · #3 01-22-2005, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markolas

I have just discovered that I'm going to have to *pay* $636 this year.

This has to be some mistake. My W-2 form says that I had the same amount of federal taxes withheld in 2004 as in 2003, and I made $8k *more* in 2004. Something has to be wrong, right?

*groan*

That sounds about right, if you made more money in 2004 then you did in 2003 but had the same amount of taxes withheld, you would probably end up having to pay.

Also, you can file your taxes free online this year. Follow this link to the irs website and then click on the "Free File" link.

[URL=http://www.irs.gov/]http://www.irs.gov/

sara1998 · #4 01-22-2005, 03:04 PM

[QUOTE=strandinthewind
Finally, if you have an H&R Block in your area, they (a live person) usually will do your taxes for under $100 (I think it is actually like $50)
GOOD LUCK

[/QUOTE]

Depends on your situation. I always go to H&R Block. When I was married, we paid right around $100. Last year when I filed (it was a big mess) I paid close to $200.

estranged4life · #5 01-22-2005, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sara1998

Depends on your situation. I always go to H&R Block. When I was married, we paid right around $100. Last year when I filed (it was a big mess) I paid close to $200.

from what I remember, Takes a percentage of what your refund may be...

So I always do our taxes just to save $$$$ and we're patient, SO we dont file electronically (Should do very good this year considering the amount of medical related charges which we can use to offset any tax...Hell, Just on mileage alone we can offset almost $1000 (The IRS allows a credit of .14 a mile for expenses related towards medical visits.)

WildInTheWind · #6 01-22-2005, 04:59 PM

Mmmm...tax returns.

The only good thing about being a poor single mother!!!
I have heard that H&R Block is just a bunch of crooks. Beware.

~*~beckY~*~

DrummerDeanna · #7 01-22-2005, 05:02 PM

Ugh - I am SO dreading taxes this year - things are a MESS - I've had three different jobs in three different states - and my student loans kicked in....blah - for the first time I'm not going to do my taxes myself because I have so much crap to sort through - I also have a horrid feeling that for the first time I am going to be PAYING taxes this year instead of getting a refund

gldstwmn · #8 01-22-2005, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markolas

I have just discovered that I'm going to have to *pay* $636 this year.

This has to be some mistake. My W-2 form says that I had the same amount of federal taxes withheld in 2004 as in 2003, and I made $8k *more* in 2004. Something has to be wrong, right?

*groan*

But...what about the Bush tax cuts?

gldstwmn · #9 01-22-2005, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrummerDeanna

Ugh - I am SO dreading taxes this year - things are a MESS - I've had three different jobs in three different states - and my student loans kicked in....blah - for the first time I'm not going to do my taxes myself because I have so much crap to sort through - I also have a horrid feeling that for the first time I am going to be PAYING taxes this year instead of getting a refund

Don't feel bad. I couldn't even begin to do my own taxes.

markolas · #10 01-22-2005, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gldstwmn

But...what about the Bush tax cuts?

I must not be rich enough.

amber · #11 01-22-2005, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markolas

I must not be rich enough.

Yep, I literally made less than 20K last year (you may all laugh now) and i'll probably owe taxes...

irishgrl · #12 01-22-2005, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strandinthewind

www.turbotax.com - it is a good program that can help you spot dedecutions you did not know you had if you do not use the standard deduction and instead you itemize.

There are other programs as well. So, just look around and choose the one that is best for you.

Also, I ALWAYS print the IRS' booklets on the 1040 and the related deduction forms. These booklets contain examples and indicdences that are acceptable and vice versa.

Finally, if you have an H&R Block in your area, they (a live person) usually will do your taxes for under $100 (I think it is actually like $50) - go here for more info. http://www.hrblock.com/ - be sure and check out others as well as mabe they will offer a better deal.

GOOD LUCK

its good to know about useful software IF you itemize, but its my understanding that it doesnt make sense to itemize if you make less than a certain amount OR if your expenses are too few..... for most people in the lower tax brackets (including me, unfortunately, I am a County worker) it is smarter to use the standard deduction. Also, you can efile for FREE if you make less than a certain amount. HR block has efile and there are other companies as well. you can do a search for efile and see what comes up, also the IRS has made some info available....

here is a good program:
Complete Tax
and here is H&R Block's efile site:
H&R Block

finally, I suggest you go to these sites and go thru their checklist of questions to determine if you can (1) efile and (2) if you must itemize or you can use the standard deduction. The info is available either way.