That’s exactly what I did. I ordered my new Dell system and got a P4 1.3 Gz w/256MB RAM, 20GB hard drive, and 19" monitor. The old system was just not cutting it anymore.
Well, my federal refund and about a grand more will just about pay my state and local shortfall. (My avaricious ex-employer, in NJ, refused to withhold NY taxes, because it couldn’t do so without taking the risk that NY would notice that the firm did business in NY and didn’t pay NY taxes. I was withheld for NJ only - and NJ income taxes are much lower than NY. Their property taxes are much higher, so in the end it’s a wash, but in the meantime for the last four years I’ve had this little bomb in my taxes.)
I know I’m getting some back from Virginia since we were just part-year residents last year… and I expect we’ll get some back from the feds since we didn’t get reimbursed for our relocation.
And chances are whatever we get back is going into savings since hubby’s company has been laying off lots of folks lately… ya just never know…
<sigh>
I think I’ll buy the clerks cartoon on dvd…
Ha! Ah ha ha ha. Ha. Ha-ha. Ha.
I remember what it was like to get a tax return. Then I got married this year, and some other stuff happened, and filing jointly my husband and I owe $8000. With THREE zeros. Filing separately, I get $100 back, but he owes $9000. It’s insane.
So all you with your fancy, richy-rich tax returns can go take a hike… to the store to buy fancy, richy-rich things.
Sigh.
I don’t have any tax return. Why not? Well, I don’t pay any income tax. Here’s the beauty, it’s not illegal! Ha! Yes, I live in America! Yes, I have income!
(actually, this method will no longer work for me, as I turned eighteen and am no longer a high school student (being under age and in high school I got tax expemp status.))
The funny thing is, I’ve never even had a job where i was legally on the books. (i.e.-I never filled out those pesky W-2 forms, or such, and never paid social security or any of that crap either!)
Alas, those days are over, though. Oh well. I still can get a big return because of all the things I can ge deducted.
Did I mention that I was getting a hoooouse?
(I’m really excited about this.)
In this order:
Buy a couple of bottles of single malt scotch
Have a few drinks to calm my nerves
Pay bills
We are using our refund to move. The landlord has decided to sell the house we rent. We’ve been there ten years! So much junk to sort through. But it will be nice to have a spanking clean house to move into. God, I hate to move. What a pain. Another plus will be moving closer to work. I have a one hour commute now, which really bites.
Flying to San Francisco to spend a long weekend with Zyada. 
Actually I haven’t filed yet, but I usually come out about even.
Last year I had a huge payment to make: $3.47. You’d think they’d be willing to ignore anything under $10 or so, but they want it all.
Backyard landscaping! A new computer! Maybe a lift kit and bigger wheels/tires for my truck.
I too am on the “what refund?” side of the ledger. But if I had any money I’d use it to drum up support for a BIG TAX CUT! Then I’d have money, see?
return… I laugh in your face…
Strainger, hun, your red neck is showing; pull up your collar a little. 
I owe $1200, so I’m just getting ready to write the check.
Come on Bush…bring on the tax cuts.
[soapbox]
The amount you owe, or are refunded has precious little to do with the tax rate. All it is is the difference between what you have paid throughout the year via withholding, and what you are supposed to pay. If we get a tax cut, it will affect your withholding at the same rate that it affects your final tax. So if you have a big tax bill this year, it would only be marginally smaller with a tax cut in affect.
If you want to write a smaller check next year, or get something (more) back, change your withholding. Make sure you are withholding at the single rate with zero dependents. If you are, you can request that they withhold more money. I had them withhold an extra $5 one year because my ex was anal about ensuring that we got a refund every year :rolleyes: and I was getting quite a bit of interest income at the time.
Or you can realize that the money you are paying them now has been earning interest (hopefully) in your bank account and you came out slightly ahead of someone who paid the same total amount in taxes, but got a refund. Note however, that they can charge a penalty if the amount you owe on April 15th is larger than they think it should be :mad: If you get a lot of interest or investment income, it might be wise to increase your work withholding.
The best situation is to be within a couple hundred dollars either way. Unless you’re the kind of person who spends all your money as soon as you get it - then you probably want to make sure you always get a refund. It’s very, very expensive to not pay Uncle Sam
[/soapbox]
My W2s are sitting on my coffee table, the forms are on my desk. They have been staring at me for weeks, and I dread them more and more. I’m an accountant, or almost. I’ll take the CPA this spring. I’m supposed to enjoy this stuff, right?
I hate doing my taxes. Well, no, it’s not the doing that I hate, or I wouldn’t sit down and itemize one and do the standard on the other to see how I come out better. It’s that I know I’m going to have to bite down and pay into the state and the feds. I took a 401K pay out last year, my income was high, and I simply need to increase the deduction to bring it a little closer. I’m figuring $500 to $1000. But I’m afraid to figure, cause it’s going to be a struggle to pay either amount. 
I haven’t seen a tax return since 1995. This year I have to pay $3900. I still haven’t paid last year’s tax bill, either. 8^(