Since my husband still works on a part time basis we still file our taxes and receive a refund which we usually put towards vacations. The last few years though the refunds are getting smaller and smaller and vacation expenses seem to be getting larger. So I'm having to get really creative with our vacations now. It doesn't cost a lot to go stay with one of sisters in Florida and we are always welcome at any of their homes so this is a blessing we are thankful for. My daughters are really good about taking me along on some of their vacations too and it doesn't cost me anything when I go with them except helping with the grandkids some of that time. Some of you may not get any refunds anymore. But if you do, do you use yours for special things like vacations, etc? I just finished our Return a short while ago and it's the smallest refund yet. The good news is that it really was totally free this year to do our Return and file it electronically. Every year it has been advertised as free...but it always ended up costing me a little bit of that refund for one reason or another. But this year...it was free all the way. Maybe they took a look at that small refund and said: "Let's give them a real freebie this year."
Thank goodness we don't have to do that.... only if we're working and self employed otherwise there is no tax return forms to be filled in, in this country... ...also unlike the USA we can live in another country and we only have to pay taxes in one country... if an American goes to live and work in another country they have to file taxes in both countries ...which I think is very unfair... http://time.com/money/4298634/expat-expatriate-taxes-us-myths/
Did ours last week. Refund was a tad bigger but only because medical bills paid out much higher than last year. The refund will go to help pay rent which is getting harder to do.
I have a PO Box and will go tomorrow hoping the last of what I need to file taxes will be there. I need one W2 from one employer and my proof of having insurance from another. I want to get this over with. Usually my taxes are totally easy. One job. Last year I had 3. Once I get everything I'll make an appointment with my tax lady. As far as spending. I leave it in the bank. I haven't had a real vacation in almost 20 years.
I don't know where I would go @Chrissy Cross I've always wanted to go to a tropical climate. I've never been to one. I'd hate to board the cats though.
Yeah, thankfully my daughter watches my dog....I would never board him, don't think he would survive. But it does make it more difficult to plan trips, I have to make sure my daughter can watch Pickles.
Got my taxes done today. Over 600 dollars less due to a Covered California mix up in June of last year to cover the subsidy I wasn't entitled to. Still got a refund and I didn't have to pay so I'm not upset. The Covered California thing is settled. My tax lady makes it so easy. I've been going to this same office over 15 years.
Wife will be doing ours very shortly. As of right now, she checked, we will owe, but not as much as last year. There were two years that she filed and we didn't owe, but wasn't suppose to get a refund either. Notice the words "wasn't suppose to get a refund". Wife made some kind of mistake and we did end up with a refund two years in a row. Don't ask me! Just happy to get a refund. What do we do with our refund? One year used it for a short vacation. Some other years here, we used it for boat stuff (insurance, Sea Tow, etc.).
My refund goes in the band and stays there. @Cody Fousnaugh They will find mistakes in YOUR favor. I never would have thought this was true but it happened to me once years ago when I had filing from living in two states for the year. They sent me a check for more than I was expecting. They still kind of scare me and I'm always glad to get my taxes done and over with each year.
Doing mine will not take very long. When you no longer own vehicles or own real estate, have no dependents or business interests the process is pretty simple and fast, unlike years in the past.