I worked at H&R Block and Deloitte for one tax season so I pretty much can do federal in my sleep.  I used a free online app called TaxAct (www.taxact.com) that allows you to enter your information for free, then I perused it to make sure the program didn't screw me over.  This year we're getting a refund from federal. 

State is a different thing altogether...I can do CA resident, but since we're not really residents anymore that's a totally different set of forms :P  Ugh.

It's really not worth it to get TurboTax unless you can deduct it as an expense on your Schedule A if you itemize.  Also not worth it to go to H&R Block or Jackson Hewitt unless you own a lot of rental properties or a business.  For the most part, when I worked at Block, if someone came in and just had to do the 1040EZ, I taught them how to do it on the spot for free and saved them the $50.  Ripoff.

If you itemize, as well as tax software, accountant fees are tax deductible.
Diane already has ours on paper form, so we don;t really need to use turbo, because it is not free. I'm gonna check the free one you mentioned. we may just mail them out this week. refund fed, pay state. the usual.

Yeah, we go to H & R Block and it's a total rip off, but we have rental properties so it's better that we get it done right.  Do you know if there is tax software out there that can figure out depreciation and all the expenses that go with rentals?


Taxact.com does do depreciation but it's best if you have the tables in front of you.  For example, the depreciation schedule of the actual house is way different from the depreciation of a computer, or a car, or the refrigerator in your rental property.  You also have to take into account all the upkeep expenses.  The only reason you should even bother going to H&R Block or Jackson Hewitt is when you have absolutely no idea what the hell is going on.  At least then their "guarantee" will bail you out in the event of an audit.

If you're interested you should be able to find the depreciation tables in the 1040 booklet or on IRS.gov.

... going to take a leak

Taxact.com does do depreciation but it's best if you have the tables in front of you.  For example, the depreciation schedule of the actual house is way different from the depreciation of a computer, or a car, or the refrigerator in your rental property.  You also have to take into account all the upkeep expenses.  The only reason you should even bother going to H&R Block or Jackson Hewitt is when you have absolutely no idea what the hell is going on.  At least then their "guarantee" will bail you out in the event of an audit.

If you're interested you should be able to find the depreciation tables in the 1040 booklet or on IRS.gov.


That's good information to have, thanks.  I would like to do the taxes myself someday because I can't stand paying that much to have someone else do it.  But you're right...the "peace of mind" thing that H & R Block has is the nice part about it.

I know having someone else do your taxes for you is a bit expensive, but I'd rather pay a little extra up front to make sure they are done right.

I know having someone else do your taxes for you is a bit expensive, but I'd rather pay a little extra up front to make sure they are done right.


Me too...and so that I don't have to deal with it.  I am all about throwing money at my problems.  ;)

That's good information to have, thanks.  I would like to do the taxes myself someday because I can't stand paying that much to have someone else do it.  But you're right...the "peace of mind" thing that H & R Block has is the nice part about it.


Considering the fact that you have your own house plus rental properties you probably have a ton of itemizable deductions, which means (as said above) your visit at Block is tax deductible.  So it's not all bad :)

The thing you have to watch out for with Block is that they try to sell you the sheeshtiest possible financial products (i.e. refund anticipation checks etc).  These have the tendency to take a huge chunk out of your refund.  Also, last year, Block had issues with one of their products in which a consumer sued them for fraud because their "Express IRA" actually LOST money over time due to the way it's set up.  If you can afford to go without the money for a couple weeks, tell Block to e-file and save yourself tons of money.

Considering the fact that you have your own house plus rental properties you probably have a ton of itemizable deductions, which means (as said above) your visit at Block is tax deductible.  So it's not all bad :)

The thing you have to watch out for with Block is that they try to sell you the sheeshtiest possible financial products (i.e. refund anticipation checks etc).  These have the tendency to take a huge chunk out of your refund.  Also, last year, Block had issues with one of their products in which a consumer sued them for fraud because their "Express IRA" actually LOST money over time due to the way it's set up.  If you can afford to go without the money for a couple weeks, tell Block to e-file and save yourself tons of money.


Yeah, they try to take you for everything.  They even charge you if they take the tax preparation fee out of your refund. ::)  We just pay for the fee separately.  The good thing that I've found is that most of the people we have seen there have been pretty honest with us and try to help us out in areas that we were ignorant in.  I noticed this year they were selling the prepaid Mastercard.  You just load your refund onto the card...wonder how much they charge for that.

...wondering where all the posts are going, it was on 1537728, now it is 1537687?

We don't do our taxes either.  Every year, I put the info into taxact or the online HR Block and I've never been able to come up with what they do.  We've got too many different investments and stuff and this year, hubby sold stock for a loss and it was all bought at different times/prices and some was given to him by the company but we're over the limit for total loss so we have to carry it over to next year or something (?) so we're biting the bullet again and having HR Block do it just in case Mr. Audit comes aknockin'.... ;)

so glad we don't have to do tax returns any more.

so glad we don't have to do tax returns any more.


;D

Wanna know the real messed up thing with taxes in the US.

YOU! have to take the initiative to do it.

Last year I filed both a UK and a US tax form. The UK one took about 10 minutes and was sent to me. The US one - It took me about 45 minutes, I had to send a bunch of other bits (pay forms etc), I had to go to the post-office and get one because I'd moved to a different address...etc..etc. Stupid f***kin IRS.

We filed our federal and state taxes through Turbotax online....it was easy and it was only around $60 for everything....not bad compared to the nearly $250 we spent at H&R Block the past two years!!! :o

Last year I filed both a UK and a US tax form. The UK one took about 10 minutes and was sent to me.



The thing that got us was gathering all the information together.  Actually completing the form was fairly straight forward.  One year we thought we owed them a small amount and they sent us a refund.  The following year we thought we were due a refund and they said we owed them a small amount!

So glad we sold the student house

The thing that got us was gathering all the information together.  Actually completing the form was fairly straight forward.  One year we thought we owed them a small amount and they sent us a refund.  The following year we thought we were due a refund and they said we owed them a small amount!

So glad we sold the student house


Thankfully I don't have many complex issues to deal with.

I own some shares which have to be declared, CD's (Not compact discs), ISA's etc.. but nothing out of the ordinary.

But just the difference between the UK and US procedures is unbelievable. Doing them in the states is a day long task, in the UK I pretty much did it whilst watching Star Trek.  ;D

Sitting here waiting patiently for the mail to come. There should be apackage today from my sister-in-law for the son...
His Christmas Gifts! ;D ;D ;D

Yeah, they try to take you for everything.  They even charge you if they take the tax preparation fee out of your refund. ::)  We just pay for the fee separately.  The good thing that I've found is that most of the people we have seen there have been pretty honest with us and try to help us out in areas that we were ignorant in.   I noticed this year they were selling the prepaid Mastercard.  You just load your refund onto the card...wonder how much they charge for that.


If I were you I'd find a friend who knew what they were doing and take them out to the Olive Garden every year :D

We don't do our taxes either.  Every year, I put the info into taxact or the online HR Block and I've never been able to come up with what they do.  We've got too many different investments and stuff and this year, hubby sold stock for a loss and it was all bought at different times/prices and some was given to him by the company but we're over the limit for total loss so we have to carry it over to next year or something (?) so we're biting the bullet again and having HR Block do it just in case Mr. Audit comes aknockin'.... ;)


Limit for everyone (no matter how much or how little $$$ you have) is $3000 for capital losses each year.  You can only claim this loss if you don't rebuy the same stock within 30 days at a lower price ("wash sale") because the IRS doesn't want you to deliberately take a hit to get the deduction.


Thankfully I don't have many complex issues to deal with.

I own some shares which have to be declared, CD's (Not compact discs), ISA's etc.. but nothing out of the ordinary.

But just the difference between the UK and US procedures is unbelievable. Doing them in the states is a day long task, in the UK I pretty much did it whilst watching Star Trek.  ;D


The thing is, for most young people all they have to do is a 1040EZ because they have no house, no itemized deductions, little investment income other than some cheesy savings account at the local bank, and no dependents.  That takes five minutes, tops.  But as you pile on more responsibilities and more income, it gets harder and harder. 

I was talking to the wife last night about the state taxes...I mean, if they want my money so bad, they should do my taxes for me!  They're taking MONEY away from me, that money should go towards something!  But then you gotta figure that if they did that, millions of accountants would suddenly be out of a job :D

Now heading out the door.
Have a good day y'all!!!

Eating M&Ms

...about to log off and let someone else use this machine. :)

....fighting with Vaughn. >:(

listening to crappy music.  It's lunch time for the students and they are blasting crap.  It's some insturmental...thing.  ::)



....fighting with Vaughn. >:(


What's wrong with Vaughn?

relaxing and typing on the computer.

listening to crappy music.  It's lunch time for the students and they are blasting crap.  It's some insturmental...thing.   ::)


What's wrong with Vaughn?


he wrote all over my livingroom table...and I was mad.

he wrote all over my livingroom table...and I was mad.



He's a bad boy. ;D

He's a bad boy. ;D



well, not usually...but sometimes he lets his "creative outlets" end up in the wrong places. :D

he wrote all over my livingroom table...and I was mad.

tisk tisk tisk... http://www.inthe00s.com/smile/07/nono.gif

That's just awful. :-[

That's just awful. :-[


He wrote all over the living room table, he didn't harm himself.



Erin, to get ink off of wood, my mom suggests using rubbing alcohol.  I didn't know, so I called her at work to ask.

I think this is a bit over-reaching, no? 

Well if someone wrote all over my coffee table I'd get angry.

Well if someone wrote all over my coffee table I'd get angry.



Someone needs to wait and check edited posts.

.....hungry.

.....annoyed.

....trying to improve my score on the Chain Letters game. Then I'll go eat.

....about to ask my sister what she wants for dinner tonight.

.....annoyed.


Why?

I want chicken.

Why?


My dad is being a pill.  And not the fun ones, either.

My dad is being a pill.  And not the fun ones, either.




Ah yes, the dad pill.  I have one of those myself. 

Ah yes, the dad pill.  I have one of those myself. 


So have I. I just have to remind myself that he gets like that due to his health problems. He's also given me actual pills: tramadol and vicodin. ;D

Oh, and those appetite suppresants. Dude, those things work. I just noticed today that I had to keep hiking up my sweats. I finally tightened the string on them. Rock.

So have I. I just have to remind myself that he gets like that due to his health problems. He's also given me actual pills: tramadol and vicodin. ;D

Oh, and those appetite suppresants. Dude, those things work. I just noticed today that I had to keep hiking up my sweats. I finally tightened the string on them. Rock.


Yay!  Now we can do stupid human tricks again!  :D :D

Eating dinner and watching Kate Winslet on Inside The Actor's Studio

...leaping onto a moving train.

...leaping onto a moving train.


You're awesome! :o

If I were you I'd find a friend who knew what they were doing and take them out to the Olive Garden every year :D


I actually have a friend who works for the IRS. ;D  She lives in Tampa though.

....fighting with Vaughn. >:(


LOL  Isn't it funny how you find yourself fighting with a 4 year old? ;D  I do it all the time with mine....she's a punk. ;) ;D

I actually have a friend who works for the IRS. ;D  She lives in Tampa though.


Well, she's probably trustworthy so you should send her your stuff and buy her a burger :D

...working and thinking about going home in 25 minutes

Enjoying myself immensely.  :D

Typing some more of my story.

Typing some more of my story.


The story of how you met a handsome cultured man who swept you off your southern belle'ish feet?

undecided.

... going slightly mad.

Or maybe it's just everyone else?

... going slightly mad.

Or maybe it's just everyone else?


all of us at once

all of us at once



No, just them.

The story of how you met a handsome cultured man who swept you off your southern belle'ish feet?



I'll be writing about Alex later.

I'll be writing about Alex later.


http://images.encarta.msn.com/xrefmedia/sharemed/targets/images/pho/00169/00169be1.jpg

.. I seriously hope.

http://images.encarta.msn.com/xrefmedia/sharemed/targets/images/pho/00169/00169be1.jpg

.. I seriously hope.




SWEET JESUS COME TO MAMA!!

I'll be writing about Alex later.



http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o283/Nerdprincess1980/Daaaaammmnnn-b33p.jpg

http://images.encarta.msn.com/xrefmedia/sharemed/targets/images/pho/00169/00169be1.jpg

.. I seriously hope.


Maybe she will be nice to you and write a steamy novel about you and Albert Pujols.

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o283/Nerdprincess1980/Daaaaammmnnn-b33p.jpg



Come on, when you think "handsome and cultured" does he not immediately spring to mind?

Maybe she will be nice to you and write a steamy novel about you and Albert Pujols.


He's soooooo loaded.

I could take a dick in the ass for $100K.

He's soooooo loaded.

I could take a dick in the ass for $100K.



Just $100K? 

He's soooooo loaded.

I could take a dick in the ass for $100K.


Me too.

Just $100K? 


He's a cheap whore!

Me too.



Andy will now be asking for your address.

Come on, when you think "handsome and cultured" does he not immediately spring to mind?


Quite.



Me too.


Me three.

Kinky.

Andy will now be asking for your address.
  LOL  He better show with the 100K. :D

Quite.


Me three.

Kinky.


An anal love triangle. :P 

An anal love triangle. :P 


Would this involve strap ons?

Me too.


I have.. well, actually, I have a lot of cash because I changed $3000 of currency today.. but, for arguments sake, let's say I have $12.73 and a napkin, what does that get me?


An anal love triangle. :P 


As long as I'm giving it.. I suppose it'd be rude not to receive it.

I have.. well, actually, I have a lot of cash because I changed $3000 of currency today.. but, for arguments sake, let's say I have $12.73 and a napkin, what does that get me?




A couple of copies of Playboy and something to clean up afterwards.

It really is amazing how utterly filthy we get at times.

Would this involve strap ons?


Well we wouldn't want to leave Andy out.

A couple of copies of Playboy and something to clean up afterwards.


Will you turn the pages for me so I can manipulate myself bi-limbually?


Well we wouldn't want to leave Andy out.


I'm game if you are.

What happened to censoring it for the little children!?

It really is amazing how utterly filthy we get at times.


I'm utterly filthy all the time.  I just don't want to offend and bore the others.

What happened to censoring it for the little children!?


Go to bed.

What happened to censoring it for the little children!?


I ate them.

I ate them.


Kinky.

Kinky.


Small children cook up good.

How much does the spawn weigh now?

Small children cook up good.

How much does the spawn weigh now?


Aboot 32lbs.

Aboot 32lbs.


Damn!  He's a big boy.  My daughter is almost four and she is about 36.

Go to bed.


I would, but it's kind of too early.

Aboot 32lbs.


32 x 4 = 128 pattys.

- the bone, brain and gristle.

Hmmm.. I'm thinking at least 50.

Damn!  He's a big boy.  My daughter is almost four and she is about 36.


He's really tall and I think he inherited my fat genes. :P



32 x 4 = 128 pattys.

- the bone, brain and gristle.

Hmmm.. I'm thinking at least 50.


Killing your spawn like that. Tsk.

He's really tall and I think he inherited my fat genes. :P





He doesn't look fat.  He looks just right. :)  He's probably just tall like you said.

He doesn't look fat.  He looks just right. :)  He's probably just tall like you said.


Thanks. He's got a tiny belly, but he doesn't really eat a lot. And he hates junk food, so I'm not sure why he weighs that much.

Killing your spawn like that. Tsk.


Welcome to the jungle

Thanks. He's got a tiny belly, but he doesn't really eat a lot. And he hates junk food, so I'm not sure why he weighs that much.


I think he's normal.  He's probably just dense...not like stupid dense, but just weighing a lot without a lot of volume.

I think he's normal.  He's probably just dense...not like stupid dense, but just weighing a lot without a lot of volume.


My mother in law is like that.  Even when she is thin she weighs 150 and she's only 5' 5".  It could be heavy bones or just a lot of solid muscle.

My mother in law is like that.  Even when she is thin she weighs 150 and she's only 5' 5".  I could be heavy bones or just a lot of solid muscle.


Kid's strong :)

An anal love triangle. :P 
...shocked at the filthiness I missed out on. damn, I missed out on the Tuesday Night  *ss effn'g party.  I ain't spending 100G's on it, maybe Albert can drop 100k if he wants but some of us don't gotta pay.

...shocked at the filthiness I missed out on. damn, I missed out on the Tuesday Night  *ss effn'g party.


It was fun!

It was fun!
I bet it was  ;D  I'm glad I saw it.

...ready to go to sleep with a smile on my face.

I bet it was  ;D  I'm glad I saw it.

...ready to go to sleep with a smile on my face.



And dreams of anal love triangles. ;D

eating meatballs and pasta

Coloring Blue's baby brother, Sprinkles. Except for he looks psychedelic now.

... leaving a message.

And dreams of anal love triangles. ;D
;D  I slept too deeply, so no dreams last nite

Ripping CD's and it's taking forever ::)

... wondering what I should do about lunch.

An anal love triangle. :P 



Make it a foursome Jacks,I want in. ;D

drinking water

...only 100 minutes away from being logged in for 100 whole days. :o

Make it a foursome Jacks,I want in. ;D


Access denied.

...hungry again.

eating yet another cookie.

Playing "Air Drums" to "Balls to The Wall"  ;D

....about to get some dinner.

...thinking about going to bed

watching the sky slowly get darker...

Off to the Sciencecave!

Access denied.


CRAP! :(

thinking about my interview tomorrow.

Looking out the window and wondering if we're going to get any bad storms.

listening to 70's tunes and posting.

In the middle of making a horsey cake for my daughter's birthday party tomorrow.  Just taking a break while the frosting chills.

In the middle of making a horsey cake for my daughter's birthday party tomorrow.  Just taking a break while the frosting chills.

Happy birthday to your daughter!! ;) :D

... watching ET:Canada while I drink some Chocolate Milk and type this post

In the middle of making a horsey cake for my daughter's birthday party tomorrow.  Just taking a break while the frosting chills.
how fun!  I hope it turns out good. your daughter will love it. what a good fun mommy you are.

...contemplating bed & sleep

listening to music.

eating breakfast.

waiting to call in work saying i'm not going in...taking my time off before my last day comes. :-)

wondering if the washing machine has finished.

Watching the squirrel dig in the snow for food.

Happy birthday to your daughter!! ;) :D

how fun!  I hope it turns out good. your daughter will love it. what a good fun mommy you are.



Thanks guys! :)  Here's the horsey cake.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c270/jackas000/DSC09161.jpg

Great job ^

...defrosting.

making a cup of tea and listening to the AmIRight Parody Channel on Soundclick.com

eating a baked sweet potato

..throwing a tennis ball at the wall and catching it.

laughing at this picture of a little woolen shaun of the dead. 

http://usera.imagecave.com/kgilmartin/woolshaun-copy.jpg

Thanks guys! :)  Here's the horsey cake.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c270/jackas000/DSC09161.jpg
it came out great Chrissy. i''m impressed. next year i want one for my birthday.  :) 

Great job ^

it came out great Chrissy. i''m impressed. next year i want one for my birthday.  :) 


Thanks! :)


You're gonna look cute blowing out the candles on your horse cake next year! :D

Thanks guys! :)  Here's the horsey cake.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c270/jackas000/DSC09161.jpg


Great cake!!  My daughter would flip out if I made her a cake like that!!

singing "This Perfect World" by Freedy Johnston

Thanks guys! :)  Here's the horsey cake.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c270/jackas000/DSC09161.jpg


That turned out adorable!

Did ya fill it with Raspberry filling so that when you cut it, it looks like it's bleeding?  ;D  No probably not, it's just my weird and sick sense of humor kicking in.  ;D

Home for the day after my job interview.

LMAO because my hubby just told me that the VISA fraud protection people called because of "suspicious activity" on my debit card.  The only thing the VISA people were concerned about was a charge for $8 at the local Subway restaurant.  Meanwhile, we have a $350 charge going out to a gas station and a $15 charge going out to company in Iceland.  THOSE don't arouse suspicion at all...  It's good to know though that if someone stole my card, the $8 would be protected. 

It's so funny to me. 

LMAO because my hubby just told me that the VISA fraud protection people called because of "suspicious activity" on my debit card.  The only thing the VISA people were concerned about was a charge for $8 at the local Subway restaurant.  Meanwhile, we have a $350 charge going out to a gas station and a $15 charge going out to company in Iceland.  THOSE don't arouse suspicion at all...  It's good to know though that if someone stole my card, the $8 would be protected.   

It's so funny to me. 


Overall I think it's a great idea because I would hate for someone else to be using my credit card. 

When my mother passed away my sister and I decided to pay for all the flowers so I said I'd put it on my credit card and she could pay me later.  The flowers cost like $600.00 and in the funeral home some code came up when they were processing the transaction and I had to talk to my credit card company because they wanted to make sure it wasn't a fraudulent purchase.  I was so annoyed.  Couldn't they have called after the purchase? 

pretty excited.

.....eating lunch.

LMAO because my hubby just told me that the VISA fraud protection people called because of "suspicious activity" on my debit card.  The only thing the VISA people were concerned about was a charge for $8 at the local Subway restaurant.  Meanwhile, we have a $350 charge going out to a gas station and a $15 charge going out to company in Iceland.  THOSE don't arouse suspicion at all...  It's good to know though that if someone stole my card, the $8 would be protected. 

It's so funny to me. 


What the hell are you refueling, a monster truck?  :o  And what's in Iceland?

Thanks guys! :)  Here's the horsey cake.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c270/jackas000/DSC09161.jpg


I love that cake! It reminds me so much of what my mom use to do for my cakes  :)

And what's in Iceland?


.. ice... one would assume.

.. ice... one would assume.


I think that's Greenland.

... thinking of running home for lunch or staying here and skipping it.

I think that's Greenland.


Nah, that's full of.... .. of... .. errr... green.. I guess.

Nope....Greenland is more ice and Iceland is more green. 

Nope....Greenland is more ice and Iceland is more green. 


They're tricksy!

Iceland, despite its name, is really quite temperate.

Nope....Greenland is more ice and Iceland is more green. 


Ahem.

getting a little hungry

Ahem.




WTF!  How's Iceland get that close to Greenland?

WTF!  How's Iceland get that close to Greenland?


I dunno, I probably colored the wrong country .. but it's a FACTUAL MAP!! It says so.

Ahem.






Andy.....I know how to read.  The names of the countries don't mean jack squat as to its climate.  Iceland is more temperate than Greenland, which is why its greener and Greenland has more tundra and ice. 

going to check my wash.

Andy.....I know how to read.  The names of the countries don't mean jack squat as to its climate.  Iceland is more temperate than Greenland, which is why its greener and Greenland has more tundra and ice. 


Clearly you're mistaken. On the map, greenland is green and iceland is white. Therefor Greenland obviously has more green and iceland more white.. or as it's know to scientists.. ice.

Clearly you're mistaken. On the map, greenland is green and iceland is white. Therefor Greenland obviously has more green and iceland more white.. or as it's know to scientists.. ice.



I know how to read encyclopedias.  The oceans are blue, but that doesn't mean the water is blue. 

I know how to read encyclopedias.  The oceans are blue, but that doesn't mean the water is blue. 


The Mediterranean is very pretty blue though :)

The Mediterranean is very pretty blue though :)



The Chicago River is a very pretty green.

The Mediterranean is very pretty blue though :)


I've been around almost all the Greek Islands and love them.. anyhow, where the Adriatic and Med meet.. so weird. The water goes from green to blue over about a meter. Bizare.

I know how to read encyclopedias.  The oceans are blue, but that doesn't mean the water is blue. 


:o

WTF?

I thought you went to skool?


Hey Beth -


Nigel Tufnel: The numbers all go to eleven. Look, right across the board, eleven, eleven, eleven and...
Marty DiBergi: Oh, I see. And most amps go up to ten?
Nigel Tufnel: Exactly.
Marty DiBergi: Does that mean it's louder? Is it any louder?
Nigel Tufnel: Well, it's one louder, isn't it? It's not ten. You see, most blokes, you know, will be playing at ten. You're on ten here, all the way up, all the way up, all the way up, you're on ten on your guitar. Where can you go from there? Where?
Marty DiBergi: I don't know.
Nigel Tufnel: Nowhere. Exactly. What we do is, if we need that extra push over the cliff, you know what we do?
Marty DiBergi: Put it up to eleven.
Nigel Tufnel: Eleven. Exactly. One louder.
Marty DiBergi: Why don't you just make ten louder and make ten be the top number and make that a little louder?
Nigel Tufnel: These go to eleven.