Taxes

I filed our taxes yesterday.  On-line filing is genius.  First I fill out the paper form as a starting point, and then I get on the computer and fill it out again.

Ohio lets you file on-line for free, and the form is super easy because there are very few deductions or credits.  This year, because we paid Ohio taxes out of every paycheck, Ohio actually gave us money back.  I think that's a first for us!  Usually we owe them several hundred dollars (they are not as merciful as the feds.).

Then I went to Turbo Tax to file our federal taxes.  It was a little annoying because every 5th step involved me telling Turbo Tax that no, I didn't want to sign up for their fantastic services, I just wanted to file my dumb taxes!  But, Turbo Tax found us an extra $1,500.  So I guess I can't complain much.  (And yes, paying an extra $100 for a more efficient furnace WAS worth the $777 tax credit.)

Here's a hurray for tax refunds!  I had forgotten all about a tax refund, and frankly wasn't expecting much anyway, and so I was getting ready to stress about fall.  Since Rob's job situation is unstable, I feel we need to be prepared with several months' worth of living expenses.  I was about ready to start making our grand financial plan when the W-2's came in the mail and I diverted my attention to filing our taxes.  And the trade-off was worth it:  a few hours of filing taxes means that our prep for the fall is Done:  Money secured.  Hurray!

On a completely unrelated note:  I am now a pro at ping-pong on Wii Sports Resort.  This is very important.