I figured out why that one site was going to charge me even thought I met the restrictions. Turns out I needed to use the link on the IRS website to get the free return. So I did that, created a NEW return, and I can file for free. I went into the first one I did and deleted most of the stuff that I had in it. I also went to that other site and deleted all the same stuff there. Since there’s no way to delete the entire return on either site.

I’m debating if I should submit my federal and state returns yet tonite or wait ’til tomorrow. I’m mainly wondering since I have 2 returns started on the same site. As long as I don’t submit that one, I should be okay. I’ll probably end up submitting it yet tonite. The sooner I submit it, the sooner I’ll get my refund.

And now that I’m actually getting a decent refund from federal, I’m thinking that I will be getting myself a new computer monitor. I know that I should put that money in savings in case I need it at some point, but … what fun would that be?

And I know why my calculations were wrong before. I had included the 401k distribution in with the wages calculation. That wasn’t something I should have done since it was figured in after that. That’s why I file online … to catch things that I don’t realize I’ve got wrong.

Now I need to clean up the mess of tax-related papers that are on the floor next to my computer desk. I created quite a mess. LOL

:: EDIT :: As of 5:35pm today, my federal and state returns were filed.

Mood: blah

Turns out I was wrong about my taxes. I get more back from federal than I thought ($574 vs. $154), and I actually get money back from state (a whopping $6) instead of having to pay in ($52). Woohoo.

BUT … I went to the same site I used last year … they say if your AGI is less than $28,500, you can file for free. Well, my AGI is less than that, but when I get to the end of the process, it says I have to pay a fee of $32.95. ‘Scuse me?!? I sent them a message asking why and telling them to fix it. We’ll see if I get a response quickly.

Because of that, I went to the site I had used previously. I can file federal for free, but I have to pay $19.95 to file state. WTF?!? I didn’t have to in the past (I used them for my 2001 and 2002 returns).

So … I have my returns ready to go on 2 different sites. But I haven’t filed them because they’re telling me I have to pay. That’s bullshit. I didn’t in the past. I qualify for the free filing. Don’t screw me over. The government does enough of that already.

I can’t believe I’ve gotten as much done already today as I have. I haven’t accomplished this much on a weekend in a LONG time. Maybe it’s ‘cuz racing season has started and qualifying for the Daytona 500 is on today.

I had my laundry done by noon. I actually got up around 10:15am. I usually don’t get up ’til at least 11:30am or noon. I think I got up that early this morning because qualifying was on at noon, and I didn’t want to miss it. I know that I had gone back to sleep, I wouldn’t have gotten up ’til at least noon … possibly later. I had my laundry in the washers by 10:30am … it was nice not to fight the other people who live in the aparment building who leave their shit in the machines ALL DAY LONG!!

I also updated my computer to Windows XP Service Pack 2. Took me long enough to get around to doing it … LOL. But it’s done now. Went smoothly, but seemed to take forever.

While I was waiting for SP2 to finish up installing, I cleaned my kitchen, ran the dishwasher, and even defrosted my freezer. All of this done and it’s not even 2pm yet.

Now I think I’m going to do my taxes. I’ve been putting it off since I have to pay in to state this year. I file online with Turbo Tax. With my income, I can efile for free. Not sure how that’s gonna work for state since I have to pay in. Maybe I’ll just efile the federal and mail in the state after I get my federal refund back. Half of that will be going to state …

Mood: accomplished