It’s one of the times in the year when I am expected to be a grown-up. Filing tax is a chore for me. When I see numbers and calculations, I become cross-eyed. But I have to do the tax. I could let my mom do it for me but she has a lot on her plate right now, so…

It is important to file an income tax return. I’ve never filed one in the Philippines. Even though I take up a temporary or seasonal job, I never file in an income tax return. It’s because the employer doesn’t give me any tax documents. So every cent just goes into my pocket – tax free! In the US, I’m afraid to try not filing tax. The IRS sounds scary and the penalty is mortifying. It’s fairly easy to file tax. The government provides the resources for the taxpayer to encourage them to file tax. They have free tax forms, free online filing help, free electronic filing, etc. Hence there is no excuse not to file tax return.

I’ve just finished filing my income tax return electronically today. I chose the CompleteTax efiling. The past weeks I have dallied with  calculating my tax in paper wanting to double check it later online. I got past my cross-eyedness to get down to business. You don’t need to be a CPA to file your own tax. The forms are easy to comprehend and instructions are presented well. I followed all the directions and with a little bit of help from my mom, I was able to calculate my refund. Yup I’m having refund this year!!! Yahoo!

Initially I thought my refund is under 200USD. But when I filed it electronically, they found some deductions that actually increased my refund. Double yahoo! I couldn’t believe it. I rechecked everything and I was sure I didn’t miss out on anything. My parents said that it’s ok if there were some errors in the calculation because the IRS will review it anyway and they will correct the amount. So I hope there’s no correction and I’m truly going to receive more than 500USD refund based on their calculations. For my state resident income tax return however, I’m only getting under 50USD. hehehe.

So for all tax-filers, do not perish. There’s light at the end of the IRS tunnel.

Related posts:

1. It’s tax season again!
2. Filing more tax return
3. I got tax refund!