Thursday, April 19, 2012

Tax Refund!

I know, I know, I am supposed to OWE taxes not lend the government my money and then get excited when they return it to me but... I wasn't expecting a refund. I am not very good at taxes and if it wasn't for TaxAct online I would have to pay someone or something. I thought TaxAct was supposed to be free but I think that is only for the very basic form and I have to pay extra because of my rental house. It is one of those things that I just throw money at to make it go away. Save my return for next year? Here's some money! File my state forms? Please, take more of my money! I admit that I am not good at saving money in every aspect of my life.

But anyway, back to my unexpected riches. I now have $1,000 for my emergency fund. That isn't the most fun thing in the world but with 2 houses and an RV and a bunch of stuff still out in my crumbling mobile home, I am sure something is going to need to be fixed sooner or later. And if nothing needs to be fixed, maybe I can save up $6k by next year and get air conditioning for this house. I'm pretty sure I won't be able to save that much before July of this year. July is when it gets humid and the swamp cooler doesn't work anymore. We are just going to have to tough it out with window AC units and hopefully those 6-8 weeks of humid time won't be too bad.

For now am just happy seeing my account with a little padding since I used most of my money to buy this house and put in the new furnace.

6 comments:

Dave said...

At least you know that a tax refund is not usually something you want to get because that means you overpaid (i.e. lent) money to the government in the previous year.

I always owe money unless I make a mistake in paying any estimated taxes or, in my working days, something unusual happened which I did not expect which resulted in a lower tax bill.

My main concern the last few years is to make sure I am in what they call a "safe harbor" so I don't end up paying any tax penalties.

Tessie said...

I got a refund this year too. I'll take it! Beats the alternative.

Lizzie @ her homeworld said...

I know it is the fashion to condem overpaying your taxes but lets be ho9nest, how much interest would you ahve got if it was invested? 1/4% or something. At least this way it didn't spend spent so it's all good

Daizy said...

Ugh Dave, penalties on top of taxes would be harsh. Hopefully that doesn't happen.

Daizy said...

That's true Lizzie. That money would have been spent on the new house and not necessarily on something practical either.

Daizy said...

Tessie, sure does. That would have been awful if I had owed without planning for it.