Taxes are taxing

Friday, February 22, 2008

While granted today is not April 15, I've still been procrastinating on doing the taxes for the last couple weeks. It's not like it takes terribly long, especially when using online software.

In fact, I love using the free e-file online, but in the grand scheme of things, it means I don't make enough to not qualify for it. Still, the other bonus is my state also provides e-filing via the state website, which saves me the $29.95 all the websites charge for state filing and apparently provides their bread and butter (although I suspect they get a kickback from the IRS, but I can't prove that yet).

Our biggest life change last year was buying the house, but it didn't seem to make much difference because even with that our standard deduction was higher than our itemized deductions. I'm not for a second saying I regret buying a house, just that I was looking forward to a bit more benefit come tax time.

In the end, tax season was relatively painless again this year, and we'll get our refund next week (ahhh, e-file and direct deposit — egad, I love technology). Still, I'm always reminded of Roger Fox: "Taxes are taxing and full of strange syntax and doubtless the cause of many heart a-tax!"