Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Taxes for the Ages!

I was so good this year. I did my taxes early. I pulled out my faithful "Turbo Tax" and plugged in the information. I was holding my breath for the final result. Unfortunately, the results were not good. We had to write a hefty check to the government....even after having paid quarterly. So, we did so and sent it off. A great weight lifted from my shoulders and I was feeling pretty good.

Four days later, my husband informs me that he neglected to put one little form in the tax folder. Not to worry, I tell myself...probably nothing much to worry about....WRONG! It was some major interest earned.......'just one little thing', I'm muttering to myself over and over......seething but not yelling at my husband.

So, I called the I.R.S. to find out what to do. I had to file an Amended Tax Form called a 1040x. Well, all of this would have been fairly simple except for the fact that in between filing the first return and when I find out I would have to do the Amended Tax Return, my husband had his computer torn apart and another one built. Sounds wonderful doesn't it? Well, it would have been, if it had worked just right....but no that was not the case. When I sat down to do the Amended Tax Return, it would not bring up what I had already done. I panicked, my heart started beating faster, a knot in my stomach started to form.

After solving that problem with a phone call to one of my husband's friends, I completed all of the work and was ready to print. Right? Wrong! It would not print. I started to panic again. I decided to call another friend who knew a lot about computers. He came over and worked for about an hour. Finally, it printed!

Unfortunately, it also adjusted the quarterly estimated tax payments....one of which had already been sent for the April 15th due date, so I had to send in a payment for the difference for the estimated tax, write a new check for the Amended Tax Return and get everything mailed off.

It took me the rest of the day to get that knot out of my stomach. Let's hope that tax day 2010 goes a little easier. Sigh!

7 comments:

  1. So sorry Carole, that story is exactly why we take our things to an accountant, what he charges us is well worth it!

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  2. Well, it is okay Marlene. LOL. After it is all over, we can all laugh about it, right? I used to take mine to an accountant and he did not know what he was doing. So, at least if I blow it..I have only myself to blame. :)

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  3. It's great that you know how to figure and file your own taxes. My husband does it for us, and I know he pulls out a few hair each year.

    Glad you got it all settled.

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  4. ROFLOL! oh, yeah - thanks for the reminder of why I DO use an accountant *winks* but I have a really good one =)

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  5. Thanks, Gallery. LOL
    You are too funny, Kathy.

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  6. Oh crap! That's the kind of thing that happens to me! That's why I just pay a CPA to do our taxes....I'm always a nervous wreck about the IRS.

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  7. LOL, Joann...well, I did not have much better luck with a CPA...LOL

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