Figuratively, of course. Two weeks ago, I faced the daunting task of filing my taxes. I recently checked my bank account and I received my tax return. E-Filing is so simple, I don’t know why anyone bothers with paper returns any more.
I remember the days as a child, my mom would frantically find all her receipts and throw them in a shoe box, and drive about 15 minutes to the local tax professional. His astonished look basically told the story from there. I wonder if she does e-file now, or still the “receipts in a shoe box” tactic…
This year was the first time since I was 18, I ever was paid by Arizona! I always had to pay them, no matter how much of a deduction I had in my pay checks. It’s kinda funny thinking that I live in Virginia, and they paid me to leave the state. Another interesting point, when I made a lower salary, consequently received a much lower return; this year I earned a higher salary, and received a much larger return.
Our friends at the IRS, compiled a list of companies providing free e-filing services on their Web site. What I find interesting is that Intuit and H&R Block have pressured the IRS (I didn’t know any entity could pressure the IRS) into not creating their own online portal for E-Filing. I guess this keeps the tax industry competitive with the tax professionals. I mean seriously, does anyone really expect the government to make a simple and intuitive process for this. I am content with the current status-quo of the Tax filing services.
All in all, I can say that this year’s taxes went well for me.
So how was your experience by paying taxes?