Is Filing Taxes Yourself Worth the Hassle?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Gale
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Taxes
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the experiences and challenges of filing taxes, particularly for individuals doing it for the first time. Participants share their methods, feelings about the process, and the outcomes of their filings, touching on both personal anecdotes and practical advice.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes their initial confusion with the telefile process but ultimately finds it manageable and expresses satisfaction with receiving a refund.
  • Another participant mentions using a computer program to file taxes and reports a small refund.
  • Several participants share their experiences with refunds, including one who received a four-digit refund for the first time, contrasting it with previous years of owing taxes.
  • Recommendations are made for using TurboTax and e-filing, with some noting that certain services can be free for federal tax filing.
  • One participant discusses their lack of income and taxes over the past two years, expressing a carefree attitude towards employment and taxes as a minor.
  • Another participant mentions procrastination in filing taxes, with some humor about their long delay in filing returns.
  • There is a light-hearted exchange about Canadian tax obligations, with one participant questioning whether Canadians pay income tax.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of experiences with filing taxes, with some feeling overwhelmed while others find it straightforward. There is no consensus on the best method to file, as preferences for telefile versus software vary. The discussion includes both positive and negative experiences, indicating a mix of agreement and disagreement on the ease and value of filing taxes oneself.

Contextual Notes

Some participants mention specific software options and their experiences with refunds, but there are no detailed discussions on the implications of different filing methods or tax laws. The conversation reflects personal anecdotes rather than a structured analysis of tax filing processes.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals preparing to file taxes for the first time, those interested in personal finance, and anyone looking for anecdotal experiences related to tax filing.

Gale
Messages
683
Reaction score
1
Heh, so i just filed my taxes today. I'm rather proud. I was talking to some people who're in their 20's and its their first time doing them by themselves. My dad insisted that i do my own... so i did. At first i was really confused, but then it wasn't actually so bad. I did the telefile thing... OMG! that whole touch tone process gets really old really fast!

"Question 3... press 1 if the answer is yes, press 2 if no"
*BLEEP*
"you just pressed one, the answer is yes, please press 1 if this is true, press 2 if it is not."
*BLEEP*
"you have pressed 2, please refer back to question 3... if the answer is..."
"GUH, i meant 1..."
"...yes press 1, press 2 if no."
grumble grumble, i already answered this stupid question...
*BLEEP*
"you just pressed two, the answer is no, please press 1 if this is true, 2 if it is not."
"WHAT? I HIT ONE! CMON!"
*BLEEP*
"you have pressed 2, please refer back to question 3... if the answer is..."

*CLICK*

"stupid thing... i'll try again later..."

i think i had to call back like 3 times cause i kept getting so annoyed. It wasn't actually so bad though, once i got the knack of having to confirm every stupid thing i put in, it went quickly. Now i get a whole 50 bucks back! WAHOO... heh... it almost doesn't seem worth it, heh.

So who else has been having fun with their taxes eh? You've got a week left for anyone who hasn't started!
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
I got 85 back :approve:

Used one of them newfangled computer programs to file, print and mail.
 
for once, Uncle Sam paid me a four digit number this year...about time since I usually ended up owing...Gale, if you anticipate at least $100, get turbo tax and efile, i highly recommend it.
 
Gale17 said:
Heh, so i just filed my taxes today. I'm rather proud. I was talking to some people who're in their 20's and its their first time doing them by themselves. My dad insisted that i do my own... so i did. At first i was really confused, but then it wasn't actually so bad. I did the telefile thing... OMG! that whole touch tone process gets really old really fast!
Dang, if only I could get away with something so simple as telefile. Good to learn early. That way it only gradually gets more complicated as time goes by. I remember refunds - those were nice.
 
Kerrie said:
for once, Uncle Sam paid me a four digit number this year...about time since I usually ended up owing...Gale, if you anticipate at least $100, get turbo tax and efile, i highly recommend it.
Actually, if you go to the IRS web page, you can file your federal tax via turbo tax for free (or for free using a few other software packages).

You can file Colorado state taxes via their web page for free, as well (turbo tax charges you for state taxes).
 
I've always e-filed, using the free turbo tax software. Most I ever got back was $1600, but it's not like I ever made much. I haven't even paid any taxes now the last two years. I haven't even worked in the last year.
 
Happy to say, i am a lazy bum, and will never get a job until i have to, which means no taxes, until i get a job. One of the frills of being a minor, no need for income. (but no beer or voting). hey, If you are amish, you don't have to pay income taxes, i'll be amish :-p (that could just be pennsylvania)

Fibonacci
 
Argh! Usually I do my taxes quite promptly, as soon as all the forms have arrived. But, just haven't managed to find the time yet this year (correlation to increased time on PF? Nah, that couldn't be it, could it?). My taxes are still pretty simple. Ha, I'm still too poor from all those years as a grad student and post-doc. When I can move and wrestle my money away from this mismanaged state retirement plan (yet another incentive to move somewhere else), I suspect things will get a bit more complex.
 
Gak I had planned to do my taxes early this year and I haven't even started.
 
  • #10
Evo said:
Gak I had planned to do my taxes early this year and I haven't even started.
You have a ways to go to catch up to me on procrastination. I haven't filed a return since '79. :approve:
 
  • #11
Danger said:
You have a ways to go to catch up to me on procrastination. I haven't filed a return since '79. :approve:

Canucks don't pay income tax?
 
  • #12
franznietzsche said:
Canucks don't pay income tax?
Most do. :biggrin:
 

Similar threads

Why does Bluetooth suck so bad?
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
5K
Help Calculating Real Estate Tax
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
Can Home Repair or Renovations Reduce One's Taxes?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Question on Android phone system: Moving files & the Gallery
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
6K
Other Can I (with a math major) do a masters in theoretical physics?
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
3K
Do You Call a Plumber if Washing Machine is Dripping Water in Tub?
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
8K
Engineering Enumeration vs Bisection Strategy
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Questions about Energy (Work and Power)
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Need help in regulating +/-36V regulated supplies
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
4K
Undergrad Please Explain (actually explain) The Monty Hall Problem
  • · Replies 131 ·
5
Replies
131
Views
13K