Paying Taxes

[Spino]

I cheat a little but not much and that cheating typically comes in the form of simply not reporting cash income. I used to cheat alot back when a sizeable chunk of my income came in the form of cash.

[seireikhaan]

I actually know a bit here and there about tax code, having done some simpler returns for folks back in high school as a part of my accounting III class. I get away with every penny I legally can.

[CountArach]

I don't earn enough to qualify to pay tax - so I'll be getting a nice tax refund come July 1st. However, I would always pay in good faith with the best intentions.

[seireikhaan]

I don't earn enough to qualify to pay tax - so I'll be getting a nice tax refund come July 1st. However, I would always pay in good faith with the best intentions.

Isn't there an option on Aussie W4's to not pay taxes in the first place if you don't qualify to pay them?

[Ice]

I get all my federal taxes refunded by the IRS because I make less than my standard deduction, so it is a fairly hard to cheat (I'd have to have the IRS pay me).

That being said I would never cheat on my taxes. Ever. Taking a tax class has taught me not to screw around with the IRS. They can make not paying that extra 500 in taxes into a nightmare.

[Ice]

Isn't there an option on Aussie W4's to not pay taxes in the first place if you don't qualify to pay them?

I wish we had that. I'd rather take my money NOW, than in a lump sum the following year.

[naut]

I don't earn enough to qualify to pay tax - so I'll be getting a nice tax refund come July 1st. However, I would always pay in good faith with the best intentions.

Same.

[KukriKhan]

I send all my paychecks to the irs.gov paypal account, and hope to get some back. So far, so good. I'm still breathing, eating etc. every day.

Fer'instance: today I ate pancit and tamales at work for breakfast because Hector Torres retired. Nice guy. Filipino. 19 years 7 months, military(naval; cook). 19 years, 8 months postal. Equals 40 years federal.

Had a 3-minute, nice little ceremony. Then: eats. No one allowed luch (30 minutes) since it was provided -by employees.

No wonder Hector retired.

[CountArach]

Isn't there an option on Aussie W4's to not pay taxes in the first place if you don't qualify to pay them?

Nope. I qualify to pay them, I just am highly unlikely to be able to earn enough to pay them. Casual work means I must pay tax as I go, just in case I do somehow earn enough.

[Lemur]

I used to cheat alot back when a sizeable chunk of my income came in the form of cash.

You and the entire population of Brooklyn. It's a freaking epidemic there.

[Hosakawa Tito]

I voted that I pay in good faith, which is true, but I also use whatever legal means there are available to avoid excessive tax.

This also mirrors my feelings, and vote, on the question of paying taxes. One thing my father always stressed to me was paying ones bills & taxes on time, and in good faith.

what I do resent is paying some ying yang accountant to do my taxes

This is a major part of the problem with the tax code, and why some people get jammed up. It's so dang complicated and Byzantine that one gets a different result depending on who figures out your taxes. Even the IRS can't agree on or completely understand the tax code. One of my sister's is a CPA and I used to have her do my taxes. However, she is so busy taking care of clients during tax season that she couldn't get around to mine till near the deadline, and I don't like cutting it that close. I like being self-relient so I started doing my own several years ago. I use the TurboTax program mentioned by others and wouldn't think of tackling my somewhat complicated return without it. It's $80+ for the program, but cheaper than an accountant, and I feel I am in control of my situation and understand my investments and assets better.

My wife, on the other hand, would prefer to pay nothing and would happily lie on our tax forms.

Yes, my current wife, my second, got in a deep financial hole with a heap of help from her ex over unpaid taxes & credit card bills. We've just about got that slate clean. It was an expensive lesson for her, and she's more than happy to let me take care of the finances & taxes.

[lars573]

I've never had to pay taxes. Never made enough to qualify.

We all have our taxes deducted. It's the only system in the world where you have to pre-pay, then prove you're entitled to a refund (unless you live in California... )

Not the only country. For the 8 months I had a real job I got taxes deducted too. And if I ever file a return for 2005 and 2006 I might get that money back.

[HoreTore]

I pay my taxes with a smile. Seriously. Paying taxes in Norway is incredibly easy for an average employee(gets harder if you own your own business etc), as the state will do it for you. All you need to do is run through a couple of papers to make sure they didn't screw it up or left something out, and you're good to go!

I have stolen from the state though. With a smile on my face and a clear conscience. But I only stole from the King, and that's got to be morally right.

EDIT: oh yeah, our taxes are pre-paid as well, deducted by our employer from our paycheck.

[Alexander the Pretty Good]

I wouldn't pay a dime if I wasn't rather afraid of the IRS and prison. :/

[HoreTore]

I wouldn't pay a dime if I wasn't rather afraid of the IRS and prison. :/

So..... You want to privatize the police, courts and armed forces? Good luck with that....

[Alexander the Pretty Good]

So..... You want to privatize the police, courts and armed forces? Good luck with that....

Other people can pay for it if they're so excited about it.

[rory_20_uk]

So..... You want to privatize the police, courts and armed forces? Good luck with that....

It's tempting when apparently the UK needs two massive aircraft carriers because the DOD can't get Viagra on prescription ("I'm a real man...")

Police and courts are not paragons of virtue either.