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livingdebLet the taxes begin!
I got my tax booklet in the mail a while ago and my first tax form in today's mail. Every time I get one of these forms, I like to fill in the appropriate numbers on (one copy of) the form in pencil. Sometimes I fill in numbers before I get the official forms based on receipts and statements I've already received, trying to guess whether I'm going to get a refund or not.
When everything is done, I read over the whole form again. I pull out old forms and make sure that every difference between this year's and some other year's is accounted for somehow. Then I do all the math again. When I get the same answers twice in a row, I ink in the other copy of the form, check the math again (in case I didn't copy them properly), make a photocopy, and send it in (usually with a check).
Nowadays I use form 1040, but it's still pretty easy. The only semi-complicated things I have are deductions and capital gains. I tend to sell my stocks in the same blocks in which I bought them, and I do very little buying and selling, so the capital gains and losses aren't too crazy. My itemized deductions include real estate taxes, mortgage interest, (totally overestimated) sales taxes and charity. My house is small and half paid off, so without the charity deductions, I'd now be using the standardized deduction rather than itemizing.
I can't remember when I quit scoring teacher certification exams, but I might not even have any self-employment tax this time. Even when I do, it's never been so huge that I've needed to send in quarterly payments.
I didn't quite get the AC installed in time to claim the tax credits for that this year.
It surprises me how many different ways people do their taxes. I might be the only person I know who does my own taxes on the paper forms. I know one person who always uses Turbo Tax, even when he can use the EZ form, because the IRS has found mistakes. Of course the people I know who worked in a foreign country and exercised stock options consulted a tax preparer that year! Okay, I guess those are the only stories I remember.
Well, if you're still doing your US income taxes the low-tech, do-it-yourself way, you should know that some lines are missing from the printed tax forms. Supposedly additional instructions will come in the mail, but they aren't here yet. This is relevant to me because we get to deduct state sales tax again this year (or state income tax), and since Texas doesn't have income tax, we all choose sales tax. Queercents explains it best. If you're using software, make sure to get all the updates before declaring yourself finished.
Winter League Update
As of about 9:00 this morning, the website explained
I don't know what forecast that guy was reading! Fortunately, I had an e-mail that said this:
Woo hoo! The best of both worlds! I don't have to play mud-wrestling-ultimate and I get to get up late and play my friend's team next week.
I got my tax booklet in the mail a while ago and my first tax form in today's mail. Every time I get one of these forms, I like to fill in the appropriate numbers on (one copy of) the form in pencil. Sometimes I fill in numbers before I get the official forms based on receipts and statements I've already received, trying to guess whether I'm going to get a refund or not.
When everything is done, I read over the whole form again. I pull out old forms and make sure that every difference between this year's and some other year's is accounted for somehow. Then I do all the math again. When I get the same answers twice in a row, I ink in the other copy of the form, check the math again (in case I didn't copy them properly), make a photocopy, and send it in (usually with a check).
Nowadays I use form 1040, but it's still pretty easy. The only semi-complicated things I have are deductions and capital gains. I tend to sell my stocks in the same blocks in which I bought them, and I do very little buying and selling, so the capital gains and losses aren't too crazy. My itemized deductions include real estate taxes, mortgage interest, (totally overestimated) sales taxes and charity. My house is small and half paid off, so without the charity deductions, I'd now be using the standardized deduction rather than itemizing.
I can't remember when I quit scoring teacher certification exams, but I might not even have any self-employment tax this time. Even when I do, it's never been so huge that I've needed to send in quarterly payments.
I didn't quite get the AC installed in time to claim the tax credits for that this year.
It surprises me how many different ways people do their taxes. I might be the only person I know who does my own taxes on the paper forms. I know one person who always uses Turbo Tax, even when he can use the EZ form, because the IRS has found mistakes. Of course the people I know who worked in a foreign country and exercised stock options consulted a tax preparer that year! Okay, I guess those are the only stories I remember.
Well, if you're still doing your US income taxes the low-tech, do-it-yourself way, you should know that some lines are missing from the printed tax forms. Supposedly additional instructions will come in the mail, but they aren't here yet. This is relevant to me because we get to deduct state sales tax again this year (or state income tax), and since Texas doesn't have income tax, we all choose sales tax. Queercents explains it best. If you're using software, make sure to get all the updates before declaring yourself finished.
Winter League Update
As of about 9:00 this morning, the website explained
Regarding Saturday, January 13th, the weather forecast says 100% chance of rain Saturday. That does NOT mean Winter League will be canceled. Games will only be canceled if the bad weather is “severe”….and that does not appear likely. The Y fields will NOT close due to inclement weather. And, since Winter League is not a place for whiners, cry babies or prima donnas, be prepared to play!!!
Hot tip: Bring extra pairs of socks!
If an announcement about the weather is warranted, it will be posted onto this website Saturday morning.
I don't know what forecast that guy was reading! Fortunately, I had an e-mail that said this:
Rains are medium to heavy. Lightening all around. Flash flood
warnings in the area. Bad weather sufficiently severe? Check.
Austin Winter League Games are officially canceled for Saturday, January 13th.
There will be an attempt to reschedule games. I'll let everyone know as soon as I know.
The scheduled games for this week will push to next week. In other words, next week will be Week #4 on the schedule.
Woo hoo! The best of both worlds! I don't have to play mud-wrestling-ultimate and I get to get up late and play my friend's team next week.