"In this world nothing is certain but death and taxes."( Benjamin Franklin)
I had such a long day yesterday...I literally left home before nine and came back after seven. I'm so tired!!!
First, I was helping in Kid's class, then we went to a couple million stores unsuccessfully looking for something for another project. After that we went to Lowes to buy paint and paint rolls. Then we stopped by the Russian store, and after that we went to do the most important (and the most time-consuming) thing on our to-do list - TAXES. It took us a while to get Hubby's 1099 for his bonuses from last year. The part-time accountant at his work is absolutely terrible. She never returns calls or e-mails and only talks to the owners of the firm (she's too good, I guess, to talk to the little guys). And she waited till the very last second before the penalty dead line to get the 1099 to us.
Well, at least we got it... Because of Hubby's bonuses we weren't sure if we would get anything back or if we would end up owing. I really need to study more this year about how taxes are calculated. Well, to our surprise we did end up owing $87 to the state but we will get almost $1700 back!! We are excited. We tried to use a free calculator on Turbo Tax but it was just too confusing (and showed us that we will only get like $500 back). We actually used a free service offered by the state (for those whose combined income is less than $50000 a year to file. It's operated with the help of volunteers who do taxes for a living. We've been using them for the past 4 years because our income is far from the limit :)
So now we are thinking about how we want to use that unexpected money. More than likely, we'll save most of it but we are thinking of buying a new stove too. Our stove that we have right now, came with the house, and I suspect, it was original from the time the house was built (and that is more than 30 years ago). It' just slowly dying, and we really need to get a new one. At first, we were thinking of putting some money aside for it but now we can afford one.
But we won't start shopping for it until we actually get the money. Until then I'm just happy to be done with our taxes until next year!
Congratulations on having finished you taxes. I wish I could say that our taxes were done, but they're far from it. Every year in July or August, we do an estimation of what we will owe in taxes. If it's a lot, we start having more withholding taken from the paycheck. That way we're not hit with a large amount of money due at tax time.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great idea! I'm actually thinking of doing the same because my income will be a little higher this year.
DeleteOh i'm so glad you're receiving a refund, Lena!! :) What a relief! I think a new stove is great purchase!
ReplyDeleteOh, I know, I was so concerned that we would owe. I'm so relieved to know it's not the case.
DeleteYay!! The stove sounds like a good investment, too. Now you can replenish your car repair fund. ;)
ReplyDeleteXOXO,
Meredith
That's true, part of it will definitely go towards the car fund :)
DeleteYay for a refund! It always feels good to be done with taxes.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I'm so happy we are done until next year!
DeleteNew follower from Social Sunday on Pinterest. Can't wait to get to know you . ~ Paula
ReplyDeleteWelcome Paula, glad to see you here :)
DeleteYay for a refund! I actually did our taxes last week and we got our refund and the first thing I did was take some of it and paid off a credit card. Now trying to decide what to do next with the little we have left of it.
ReplyDeleteNice!! Congrats on paying off your credit card! And the rest...savings? Or treating yourself to a nice dinner out ?:)
DeleteIt's just around tax time for my country to file. I'm ready to do it but it seems the government isn't as the online filing system is still closed.
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome on your return.
I hope you'll get an awesome return too :) I feel like I'm one of the last to file in the US. So many people already received their returns :)
DeleteIt's so nice to get an unexpected windfall! Good for you!! A new stove sounds great, it's definitely a practical purchase! :)!
ReplyDeleteAnd a much needed one! After all, I cook at home about 90% of the time- a good stove is a must :)
DeleteI love reading your blog. It uplifts and inspires!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Love you :)
DeleteHow wonderful!! I have my little tax pile sitting beside me - I might get it done tonight (maybe) though I think my daughter is still waiting for a tuition slip from college. Keeping my fingers crossed for a refund too!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it fun to plan what to do with it?
I so hope you'll get a nice return too!! Could you just print a tuition slip on the school website? I think, that's what we did last year.
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