It is that time of year again, no not winter. Although if you live in New England you are up to your nether regions in snow, and it doesn’t look like Mother Nature has any plans to stop in the near future.
     I am talking about taxes.  Unless you live under a rock, or don’t have television I don’t know how you can miss those obnoxious H&R Block commercials. Ugh, they are so annoying to me. The actor in and of himself is enough to make me want to hurl, and then add his message that H&R Block can get you the best refund. Ugh,.ack, ick,.and all the other superlatives I can come up with.
     What the aforementioned pitch man neglects, most likely on purpose to tell the audience is that H&R Block charges an exorbitant amount to do your taxes. Generally twice what a licensed CPA will charge, and the people that you deal with at Block have taken their standard tax prep course. They aren’t CPA’s, or even accountants.
     If you truly love H&R Block then go to Staples and buy the TaxCut Software. It is made by Block, it will walk you through the maze known as the US Tax Code. Now all this is said if you have standard, fairly straightforward taxes. If you have anything remotely confusing or wacky. Get yourself to a CPA.
     But this time of year I get all sorts of happy, excited comments and Facebook Status Updates from my friends. “Got $1,200.00 back from Fed and $700.00 from State” or something like that. I don’t know how many times I have to tell my friends, acquaintances and others this same thing.
     IF YOU HAVE THAT MUCH TAKEN OUT OF YOUR PAYCHECK EACH WEEK, THAT YOU END UP WITH A LARGE REFUND LIKE THAT, YOU REALLY MUST LIKE THE IRS. BECAUSE YOU ARE LOANING THEM YOUR MONEY INTEREST FREE ALL YEAR.
     I don’t know about you guys, but I would rather use my money all year long, and end up with a much smaller refund, than to let the IRS play with my $$$ all year.
     I know there are specialized corporate situations, where huge refunds are needed and even the norm.  But I am not talking about those situations, I am talking about us, those of us normal people who figure things out as we go. Those of us who try and make ends meet
And have too much month at the end of the money. For that reason the IRS doesn’t get to play with mine!!!!💴💴💰💵💸💸