Tax woes

For a couple of months last year, I did not have a job. I was not getting paid. I had no health care. I made far less last year than in the previous years, and definitely less than I will make this year.

And yet, I'm probably going to be gouged by taxes. I will be very surprised if I get a refund.

I had one job last year where I worked as an independent contractor, and the company I worked with did not deduct the taxes from my paychecks. Fortunately, the other three jobs I had last year did deduct the taxes. I shudder to imagine if they hadn't!

The first repayment on the tax credit from when I bought my house two-and-a-half years ago has come due. If I make the minimum payment, I'll be repaying this debt for the next 15 years. At least there's no interest (yay).

Next year, I'll probably have to start repaying the credit I got for my windows.

I wish I'd had the option to refuse those tax credits. I wish I'd done more research on them at the time.

This year, I might be eligible for another credit, but since I don't know where I'll be two years from now, I kind of wish I had the option to refuse it. Even better if I can funnel the credit toward paying off my other credits. Seriously, I feel like the previous two are just digging me into a deeper hole! How is anyone supposed to get out of debt, ever? I LOATHE being in debt!

I miss the days when I looked forward to my tax refund. Thank goodness I have a little bit of money saved. I'd be in big trouble if I didn't, and FAR more stressed than I am.

Would have been nice to spend that money on fun things, like a trip to Europe.

At least I know some of my taxes are going to things I approve of.

And having to pay taxes means that I did make some money last year. It's nice to be able to support myself. I have been very, very blessed.

I AM really excited that this year I decided to hire an accountant friend take care of my taxes for me. Hopefully he knows some tricks to help me out a bit. He was also out of work for awhile last year, so he can sympathize! Just waiting for him to let me know the damage. He said it should be ready in the next few days.

Being an adult is hard.