# Tax day is approaching: Do you have your taxes done? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 4, 2008, 11:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tax-day-is-approaching-do-you-have-your-taxes-done/443905 "2008-04-04T11:22:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2008, 11:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tax-day-is-approaching-do-you-have-your-taxes-done/443905/1 "2008-04-04T11:22:04Z")
Woohoo! I got my refund today. Now, with only 11 days left until you have to file (in the US) have you done \*your \*taxes? ---
**Author:** ![3acresandatruck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/3/e79b87/32.png) [@3acresandatruck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/3acresandatruck)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2008, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tax-day-is-approaching-do-you-have-your-taxes-done/443905/2 "2008-04-04T11:55:29Z")
Yep, got’em done about a week and a half ago. It always seems like a burden has been lifted once I’ve filed. I tend to wait till late March, because I usually end up getting a correcting 1099 after all the original ones come. But anyway, I’ve gotten my state refund check, and I’m waiting for my federal refund and my one-time-only “3acres saves the US economy with his new-found wealth” extra-special $300 payment check. ---
**Author:** ![atomicbadgerrace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8e7dd6/32.png) [@atomicbadgerrace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/atomicbadgerrace)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2008, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tax-day-is-approaching-do-you-have-your-taxes-done/443905/3 "2008-04-04T12:02:19Z")
[QUOTE=Khadaji] Woohoo! I got my refund today. Now, with only 11 days left until you have to file (in the US) have you done \*your \*taxes? [/QUOTE] Yup. Did em months ago, and that money is long since spent. 🙂 Now just waiting for my $600 “stimulus.” May 9, I believe, is the scheduled date for mine. Woo! ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2008, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tax-day-is-approaching-do-you-have-your-taxes-done/443905/4 "2008-04-04T12:15:48Z")
We always pay in, so don’t bother to do them until late. Plus, every year Brainiac4 has a 1099 or something screwed up - after three years I caught on and don’t do them until after I’ve gotten all the adjustments. This year I got, late last week, the final 1099 that I was waiting for - they sent a note in early February saying it would be late. I was holding off for $27 in dividends… They are done, though - but not yet filed. ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2008, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tax-day-is-approaching-do-you-have-your-taxes-done/443905/5 "2008-04-04T12:48:36Z")
I do them in early February, as soon as the W-2s, 1099s and 1098s come in. When I file them depends on who owes whom. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2008, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tax-day-is-approaching-do-you-have-your-taxes-done/443905/6 "2008-04-04T13:07:57Z")
They are done. Last year had to pay $3 grand, so I (of course) overcorrected this year and now are scheduled to get a $4 grand refund next week. And _my_ stimulus comes to $1,500, y’all. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![NinetyWt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/cc9497/32.png) [@NinetyWt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinetyWt)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2008, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tax-day-is-approaching-do-you-have-your-taxes-done/443905/7 "2008-04-04T13:17:15Z")
[QUOTE=JohnT] And _my_ stimulus comes to $1,500, y’all. 😛 [/QUOTE] I thought the cap was $1200? I’ve got a draft of my tax forms prepared. I’m paying in about $7 k, so no rush on my part. I’ll probably finish it this weekend. ---
**Author:** ![Kerrigan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/49beb7/32.png) [@Kerrigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kerrigan)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2008, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tax-day-is-approaching-do-you-have-your-taxes-done/443905/8 "2008-04-04T13:36:16Z")
I got my refund several weeks ago. I like getting that chore out of the way as soon as possible! I was very annoyed that I had to wait what seemed like way too long for a 1099-M due to some prize money I got last year. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2008, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tax-day-is-approaching-do-you-have-your-taxes-done/443905/9 "2008-04-04T13:36:27Z")
[QUOTE=NinetyWt] I thought the cap was $1200? I’ve got a draft of my tax forms prepared. I’m paying in about $7 k, so no rush on my part. I’ll probably finish it this weekend. [/QUOTE] Letter from my tax guy says $600 for me, $600 for my wife, and $300 for my little girl. [From the IRS](http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=179211,00.html) > [@](#): > > **How much will you get?** The actual amount depends on the information contained on your tax return. Eligible individuals will receive between $300 and $600. Those who are eligible and file a joint return will receive a total of between $600 and $1,200. Those with children will get an additional $300 for each qualifying child. To qualify, a child must be eligible under the Child Tax Credit and have a valid Social Security number. We have [various examples](http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=179164,00.html) for you check out. ---
**Author:** ![h.sapiens](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e0b2c6/32.png) [@h.sapiens](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/h.sapiens)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2008, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tax-day-is-approaching-do-you-have-your-taxes-done/443905/10 "2008-04-04T13:40:55Z")
I sent them in about 2 weeks ago. I’m getting small federal and state refunds, and I already know what I’m spending the $300 stimulus on. Because I’m a patriot, yessir. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2008, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tax-day-is-approaching-do-you-have-your-taxes-done/443905/11 "2008-04-04T13:49:35Z")
Couple of weeks ago. I’ve already handed some of that refund money over to Amazon. ---
**Author:** ![LurkMeister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3da27b/32.png) [@LurkMeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkMeister)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2008, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tax-day-is-approaching-do-you-have-your-taxes-done/443905/12 "2008-04-04T14:09:44Z")
I did a rough calculation of my taxes in January, but will not be filing until the deadline because I’m going to owe additional federal & state taxes. I think I’m going to qualify for $600, but I’m not sure because the letter I got from the IRS says that it’s based on “earned income” and I can’t tell for sure if my federal pension and dividend income count as earned income. ---
**Author:** ![3acresandatruck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/3/e79b87/32.png) [@3acresandatruck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/3acresandatruck)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2008, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tax-day-is-approaching-do-you-have-your-taxes-done/443905/13 "2008-04-04T15:25:08Z")
[QUOTE=LurkMeister] I think I’m going to qualify for $600, but I’m not sure because the letter I got from the IRS says that it’s based on “earned income” and I can’t tell for sure if my federal pension and dividend income count as earned income. [/QUOTE] I’m not a tax expert (nor any kind of financial whiz), but I think that’s unearned income. My income is interest, dividends, and a 72T distribution from my 401K (a sort of pension) and the nice accounting lady says that’s all unearned. That’s why I’m getting $300. [QUOTE=JohnT] And my stimulus comes to $1,500, y’all. [/QUOTE] It’s not how big it is, it’s what you do with it. Well, so they say. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2008, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tax-day-is-approaching-do-you-have-your-taxes-done/443905/14 "2008-04-04T15:32:40Z")
Yep, did 'em this morning. Well, I have the “How do you want to pay…?” screen up on TurboTax; I’m just waiting to hear from the husband whether or not he paid any estimated payments the time around. My guess is not. So we owe a little, but not too much. Nothing as bad as last year, when we had to request installment payments! :smack: Of course, that’s partly because we \*made \*less, so that kinda sucks. But at least we’re still eligible for a partial rebate of our health insurance. (I was worried - last year we came in literally less than $10 under the disqualifying income.) ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2008, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tax-day-is-approaching-do-you-have-your-taxes-done/443905/15 "2008-04-04T15:47:19Z")
[QUOTE=Maus Magill] I do them in early February, as soon as the W-2s, 1099s and 1098s come in. When I file them depends on who owes whom. [/QUOTE] Me too. This year they’ve been sitting in a file since then and will be mailed with checks on 4/15. I owe about three grand this year between Fed and State but I can’t complain because it’s due to making much more than expected on some company stock grants last year. I won’t be getting a stimulus check but I can’t really complain about that either. ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2008, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tax-day-is-approaching-do-you-have-your-taxes-done/443905/16 "2008-04-04T15:49:52Z")
I’ve prepared them 95% or so, but since I am going to be owing a lot this year (don’t ask) I am not anxious to file them. Next year should be better, seeing as how we just bought a house. ---
**Author:** ![divemaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/divemaster/32/78_2.png) [@divemaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/divemaster)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2008, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tax-day-is-approaching-do-you-have-your-taxes-done/443905/17 "2008-04-04T16:32:20Z")
e-filed in early Feb; got both Federal and state refunds by end of Feb. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2008, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tax-day-is-approaching-do-you-have-your-taxes-done/443905/18 "2008-04-04T16:36:01Z")
Did them in mid-February, and federal and state refunds are both in. No problems for once this year, and we wanted to see what was happening early because last year we had a big deduction from donating a horse to charity. We usually get money back since my wife’s writing income is so erratic, and we pay fairly big estimated taxes just in case. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2008, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tax-day-is-approaching-do-you-have-your-taxes-done/443905/19 "2008-04-04T18:50:22Z")
Did our taxes in February, got the refund about a month ago. I just submitted Dweezil’s return: we had put aside money in an UTMA when he was young, and it now generates _just_ enough income to need to pay a few dollars in taxes every year. The tax due (about 40 dollars) will get deducted on the 15th. ---
**Author:** ![NinetyWt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/cc9497/32.png) [@NinetyWt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinetyWt)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2008, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tax-day-is-approaching-do-you-have-your-taxes-done/443905/20 "2008-04-04T22:20:06Z")
[QUOTE=JohnT] Letter from my tax guy says $600 for me, $600 for my wife, and $300 for my little girl. [From the IRS](http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=179211,00.html) [/QUOTE] Dang. Kid has to be under 17. _sigh_. Thanks for the info anyways, **JohnT**! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tax-day-is-approaching-do-you-have-your-taxes-done/443905.md?page=2)