This blog is welcome to anyone and everyone, regardless of race, class, gender, sexual orientation, or political affiliation. Unless you don't like writing short stories or smelling bear. Or if you voted for the other guy. Also, I don't really like it when you leave up the toilet seat, so could you stop doing that? Muchas, muchas gracias.

Saturday, March 24, 2007

Taxes

I'm about to tear my hair out. I guess I need my "settlement statement" in order to file my taxes, and I have no idea where mine is. I sold my house last year.

And I didn't get the entire amount for the sale of the house, not by a long shot, but the IRS wants me to tell them the entire amount anyway.

It's late, and I've been up forever, and I'm tired. I guess after work tomorrow I better get back to this heinous chore of tearing apart my car and apartment, trying to find all the paperwork I need in order to pay my taxes. I don't understand how to do any of this. I bought some special tax software, but this process still doesn't make sense to me.

I HATE tax time.

I'm filing for an extension.

19 Comments:

Blogger Ahvarahn said...

file for an extension. take it easy dear.

11:20 PM

 
Blogger ing said...

I am! I just figured out how to do that, and I'm extending! Next weekend I'll search for all the paperwork, but I'm afraid some of my things were misplaced when I moved.

But I guess I have a while to make all the phone calls and try to straighten this out.

What a bore!

11:52 PM

 
Blogger purplesime said...

I pay someone to do my tax for me. Not only is it easier, but I pay a lot less tax because of it.

However, I still have to remember to dig out some paperwork each year and every time I can never find what I need when I need it. This year is no different.

So, I feel your pain, but at least you're able to get an extension. If you phone our tax guys they'll simply tell you an extension is something for essays, not taxes.

Best of luck in the search.

purplesimon out...

6:42 AM

 
Blogger ing said...

In my opinion, taxes are too complicated and too much of a burden on the individual taxpayer. If we do them incorrectly or don't pay them on time, we get punished. If we don't pay someone out of our own pockets to do our taxes, we get much less back than what we rightfully deserve.

I wish I could opt to pay a simple percentage of my earnings, have that predetermined percentage taken out of each paycheck, and not have to calculate and wonder, every year, if I'm making serious errors. I wish it didn't cost so much to have a tax expert do my taxes.

I'm not disputing where my tax dollars go, here. I'm disputing the idea that the amount each person owes is so variable, so mysterious, and that it's OUR job to keep papers and files, to add and subtract, when it was our money in the first place, money WE worked hard for. Tax time always seems like a punishment to me, even if I get some money back.

7:56 AM

 
Blogger matty said...

I'm with ya. I hate taxes.

I say we all bond and revolt! Perhaps a San Francisco Tea Party. However, that will probably be misunderstood by the boys in town.

...last year I paid for someone to do my taxes and he discovered that one of my California employers forgot to tax me for my state taxes.

...and, as you know, I keep my stuff.

Sadly, I never looked at it.

Now, I both keep and and look at it. But, California is still pulling money out of my sad little bank account every month for the rest of my life. ...well, probably for just about one more year. But, it sucks!

sigh.

...the only thing I can think of to do is to see two movies:

1. BoyCulture (at the Castro, of course)
and
2. Colour Me Kubrick (which I hope to be viewing with you!)

2:11 PM

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Oh my god. I forget to call the guy to do my taxes. I forgot to organize the very messy pile of receipts and stubs and other bits of paper with numbers all over them. I wonder if we can file for an extension in Canada. Truthfully I don't even know when I have to get them done. I just know everyone is talking taxes and I don't have a clue. NO, I just CAN'T get my head around it. I'm not wired that way. That's what I pay that pale little man with the crazy dog to do.
Someone give me a paper bag. I think I'm starting to hyperventilate. I might have to fumble through it myself... oh my.
I feel dizzy.

11:45 PM

 
Blogger Mone said...

I hate the stress with taxes even if I'm getting money back. It is hard work to look for AAA of the papers they need etc. No way better over here.

12:53 AM

 
Blogger ginab said...

you don't need to request an extension. the deadline is April 17 (because the 15th lands on a weekend). You could contact your realtor and request a copy of the bill of sale.

9:12 PM

 
Blogger ing said...

Matty:

For what will they misunderstand our "tea party?" Whatever the misunderstanding is, I hope it leads to something fun. . . I wish the bay was warm -- we could turn it into a swimming party.

And oh, Matty, I TRY to keep my stuff. I still have boxes of photographs and old invitations. Someday, I'll go through these things and get rid of a few. Soon, I hope. While I'm doing that, I'll probably find last year's returns, and the information I need about my house. If not, as ginab points out, I can contact that realtor of mine.

I'm lucky so far that nobody's regularly pulling anything out of my bank account. But I'm going to follow Alan's example and stop eating out so often. I bought sandwich fixings today. Tonight before bed, I'll make tomorrow's lunch. Smart!

I loved Color Me Kubrick, though I agreed with everyone's opinion of the narrative arc. I wonder if the screenwriter was focusing too much on character and not enough on plot. Either way, John Malkovich did a great job in his role. We all know he can act, and he's so fun to watch!

Carrie! I can't wait for prom night!

_____________

meredith:

It's so easy to forget, and then it kind of sneaks up on you, doesn't it? Don't get too stressed out. Matty reminded me that things could be a lot worse. I guess we all have to wade through this tax thing, and it's unpleasant for everyone, unless they get an unexpectedly large refund. In which case, it's time for a vacation! As far as I could estimate, my refund will be tiny. But it will pay for approximately three yoga classes.

Taxes. Math. I'm not comfortable with either thing.
_________________

Mone:

I know! It's a chore, no matter where you live. Though I think many people are more organized than I am. This year, I vow to start filing the things I receive in the mail. I do a great job of this at work, so I should do so at home!

_________________

Ginab:

I will, I'll contact my realtor! But I already filed for the extension. Can't hurt anything. I think the extra time I just gave myself by extending will allow me to take care of other pressing matters -- and I still have a few.

Tonight I finally made time for a yoga class. We did a lot of bandage-type excersizes using ropes and straps. I think I learned a few neat things about my body. And my thighs hurt.

9:37 PM

 
Blogger ginab said...

The realtor, as I mentioned, should have what you need. I always thought an extension cost money. Then there's actually an elite bunch of lily whites (we used to know one; I knew him in particular) that I think used to be more anarchist. They like to extend to extend, as I recall.

There's a lot happening in Chicago literarily. I wish I had a reliable car, because I DESERVE to go to such thingy-me-bobs. I'd learn a lot about me as a writer. Swimming teaches me about breathing. If I had a strap I'd still more than likely strangle myself, but then it's the weight of the water.

Did I say my date was the bomb? Keeps me awake though.

5:42 AM

 
Blogger josh williams said...

The problem is I have had large refunds the last couple of years. Business is slow, I loose money as I told my accountant when she told me about my refund I told her I earned every dime. Someday I will owe taxes on income, property and such I still have the privalge to pay, but income I get some back...My goal is to put Amazon, Walmart and all the other slave traders out of business. All I need to do is figure out how.

7:35 PM

 
Blogger ing said...

Ginab:

Naw, an extension doesn't cost money. You pay your estimated taxes, yes, and you can usually come close. If you underestimate, you make it up. If you overestimate, you get paid back.

WOW, I forgot that it's Tuesday night, meaning I have tomorrow off!! I have a morning appointment at the DMV, then I can sleep for a few hours before work! Yay!

Anyway, you DO deserve, literarily, and the straps are for your hip joints, not for your neck (or for S&M, either).

______________

Josh:

So let's scheme on this, as I agree -- Wal Mart and Amazon need to go.

In this day and age, I see that small independent businesses have much more chance of success if they appeal to people with disposable incomes. That means you've got to move somewhere like California, Texas, or New York, or this place in Washington called Seattle, or another town in Oregon called Portland.

You have to appeal to people who believe in grassroots efforts, who appreciate their locale. That means a population with a lot of pride in their locale, and the willingness to invest in that locale. E.g. New York or California or Seattle or Portland.

Then I'm thinking you need to focus on a location where even though the income is high, there are lots of little neighborhoods where everyone feels that local effort and the small businessperson has a chance. There have to be plenty of existing models -- independent businesses that started small and are growing within the parameters of their little communities and returning the favor to their little community.

That leaves the West Coast.

Finally, with all that firmly in mind, one must imitate the techniques of places like Wal Mart while remaining ethical to the loyals in the community, meaning the business will have similarities to a Wal Mart or an Amazon, but won't resemble them much at all, overall. (I repeat, we will be ETHICAL.)

And with that, the Josh Williamses of this world will prosper.

10:40 PM

 
Blogger Me Crabby said...

Me hate taxes.

Me love snacks.

Me miss Chuck Dawson.

8:27 AM

 
Blogger Ahvarahn said...

Ing, I did the extension last year beacuse my taxes got very complicated. Not a big deal. But things to note, if you owe them money they will charge interest on the amount you owe (If they owe you money, you get no interest). If the amount you owe is greater than 10% of your total yearly tax bill (i.e. you underestimated by more than 10%), they will also apply a penalty fee.

5:15 PM

 
Blogger josh williams said...

I used to sell books in my store, Field Guides and such, but then I realized all the covers were fading sitting on the shelf because they quit selling. I have around 60 books left in inventory but I would be lucky to get 60 dollars out of the lot.
I do have customers that are loyal and understand qualtiy and service, true. But there are the people that taint your perception and I think they all are ignorant swine! I suppose customers are like myself, one bad experience you will tell 10 people one good you tell a few? I do feel I can make a profit, it is just going to take awhile, my customers (especially construction) are almost always very happy, and surprised by quality and service. I do not cater to the Walmart crowd, even as a small business without the spit and polish of an ad campaign, the word spreads so I have not lost hope yet. I think a honest business model can win...I go bed now work domani JW

7:41 PM

 
Blogger matty said...

Well, see -- in these gay parts -- a tea party is a dance. ...and, in these particular gay parts a tea party very often leads to unspeakable acts.

...so, I guess it could sorta be revolutionary!!!

YES! Prom Night is soon!

I must send out the email!!!! Must!!!!

10:23 PM

 
Blogger Mustafa Şenalp said...

I like your site very much. Thanks for your interest. Have a good day

5:38 AM

 
Blogger matty said...

so, if i can hold solids down for the rest of the day/night! ...I'm going to buy a brand new pair of rollerskates in the Haight this weekend!!!!

...we need to plan out our SF Roller Disco Team as soon as I get practice'd up and we find a vintage boom box for 8track tapes!!!

Hope you're resting and feeling better.

I feel pretty good!

I even ate a hamburger patty and a cookie --- and I've not tossed either!

Is it possible that I'm almost well again?!!?!?

Am most definitely sick of being stuck in the apartment when the sun and breeze are calling me!

...or does the wind call for someone else? No, I think it calls for me!

2:03 PM

 
Blogger ing said...

Crabby:

Chuck Dawson. . . I haven't heard that name in a long time! I almost forgot about him!

_____________

avarahn:

THANKS for the info. I think I estimated correctly -- but I was having trouble navigating their rigid little form. I wanted to buy some time to figure it all out.

And yes, everyone hates taxes.

________________

Josh:

Since when do you own a bookstore, my good man?

________________

Matty:

Tell me what the tea party thing means in private! If I ever see you again, that is. . . You live just up the street, yet I feel like I never see you any more.

Prom night!

_____________

mustafa:

You bet.

______________

Matty:

Okay, but remember, we're going to practice that move where I lift you way above my head, just like BJ lifted Linda Blair in Rollerboogie.

I've been stuck in my apartment ALL DAY, and I'm tired of it! Tomorrow I have to work for ten hours. I still don't feel any better. Bleah! I try to pretend that I'm not sick, but I am, I'm SICK.

At least I'm not throwing up, eh?

________________

bionic:

So I've heard. . .

9:12 PM

 

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