Taxes
It took four hours and two brain tumors, but we finally finished our taxes. We were way later than we usually do them, but we had to find a time when both of us were at the same place at the same time.
Taxes take all the joy out of freelancing. I'm pretty good at keeping accurate records but it still takes forever to document each and every job. And let's not talk about the deductions.
When we were near the end, I found two more deductions for Book Cover Diva, but Turbo Tax (the software we used) wouldn't let us go back to my business deductions. We could access all the other deductions but not the ones for the business.
I finally gave up and let it go. It wasn't worth a third tumor.
Do you do your own taxes?
***
I'm really beginning to get a sense of Greg's retirement. Next week, my favorite house and dog sitter is taking care of the homestead while I do last minute updates at Casa South.
It's all starting to get very real. It's already made some changes in how the rest of the year will pan out. One of those changes is the newsletter I planned to put out. I think I'm going to wait until Greg is truly retired. Right now I'm doing a dozen things at once and I don't want to get distracted.
Tank is constantly on our minds too. He's slowed down some more, but still in good spirits. When that second part changes, we know we'll have to make some hard decisions. But not today. He still wants his cookies!
Taxes take all the joy out of freelancing. I'm pretty good at keeping accurate records but it still takes forever to document each and every job. And let's not talk about the deductions.
When we were near the end, I found two more deductions for Book Cover Diva, but Turbo Tax (the software we used) wouldn't let us go back to my business deductions. We could access all the other deductions but not the ones for the business.
I finally gave up and let it go. It wasn't worth a third tumor.
Do you do your own taxes?
***
I'm really beginning to get a sense of Greg's retirement. Next week, my favorite house and dog sitter is taking care of the homestead while I do last minute updates at Casa South.
It's all starting to get very real. It's already made some changes in how the rest of the year will pan out. One of those changes is the newsletter I planned to put out. I think I'm going to wait until Greg is truly retired. Right now I'm doing a dozen things at once and I don't want to get distracted.
Tank is constantly on our minds too. He's slowed down some more, but still in good spirits. When that second part changes, we know we'll have to make some hard decisions. But not today. He still wants his cookies!
Comments
One of these days though, I'll see the time it takes and maybe think it'll be worth it to have a professional do it (time is money, right?). But I have an accounting degree, so sometimes I think I SHOULD be the professional! :)
You just take your time and get things in order as you see fit so you can address the various things you want to do at your leisure.
Hugs to Tank and of course to all the darling barkers.
It can be painful.
However, we do ours usually the first half of February, because we almost always get a refund, and at that point we're in desperate need of it, lol. I've never waited until April 14/15.
I used to use Turbo Tax, but ran into frustrations of not being to go back and edit things at times (like you), and I also found that they were starting to 'estimate' lower refunds for me. So I switched to H&R Block, and we've had better refunds and a smoother filing experience ever since. You might look into it next year!
I've never had a problem going back and adding/changing things with H&R.
I do do (heh) my own taxes, but they're really straightforward for me. I have one job, am single and own a house with my sis. Done.
But when the money starts to come in from the writing, i plan to hire an accountant. I don't want to deal with any of that.
Happy things are finally coming into focus for you and Greg in the future, it does take some time for sure when hitting a couple milestones at once.
Sending hugs to Tank - and all of you.
H&R Block will let you do it for free, except for the state. They also have a paid version (it's $19.99) When you add in the state filing costs (36.99) and processing costs, it comes out to $60 and change. I've been doing the paid one for about 5 years now.
Yes, we do our taxes, unless we had something majorly different or beyond our knowledge to account for. I can only think of three years we've had someone else prepare them.
We've usually used Turbo Tax as well, though That Man got frustrated with it this time so we may look at other programs next year.
Good luck with everything on your plate and enjoy this next phase of your lives.
As long as Tank still wants his cookies, he's good. :) Yeah, don't worry about the newsletter until things are more settled. At least that's one thing you don't have to worry about.
Re: Tank
The day food is no longer important to him is the day we know he's crossed the Rubicon. He's been a foodie since the day we got him. :)
If his body betrays him we'll have to intercede, but until then we'll do what we can to keep him comfy.
Give Tank a cookie from me. Oh heck, give one to Iko, Maggie, and Nana, too. (Then sneak Tank an extra.)