For Widows Only Forum

Well I finally did it...I took a deep breath and sat down yesterday and did my taxes. I was pleasantly surprised to find out I get a refund (for federal taxes, anyway). It was actually pretty easy, even. (I use tax software and do it on my own...it's LOTS faster.) The state taxes, on the other hand, were NOT easy. For some stupid reason, they make it hard because I'm still filing jointly (one last time) but one of the people is deceased. The feds don't care that much...they don't make a big deal out of it. Pennsylvania, of course, has to make my life h#$l again because they want things done "just so" because God forbid I'm filing for someone who's passed away.

They've become the bane of my existence, the state of PA...the bureaucrats that is. The "Tax People". My lawyer filed a tax form with them back in September in the process of getting the estate settled (finally...it's only been a YEAR since Mark passed away, for pity's sake). SIX MONTHS later we have heard nothing from the state tax people. Nothing! I swear...they've lost the forms, or something. Who knows.

But I digress. I guess I'll have to go into the local tax preparation place and ask them to help me fill out the state income tax forms, because I can't figure out how the heck to do it myself...and I don't want to mess it up. And of course I owe them money...only $21. But still, like they haven't taken enough from me already?!

Ranting over for now....

Diane in PA

hi diane
taxes are a pain, but I have always had a cpa, because of my business, who keeps track and does it, and I havent had to pay in federal since he died ( loosing his govt paycheck did that)
I dont know what will happen when i sell the business and or house, then it will be different, I trust my cpa to do the right thing, and he tries to help me understand things, but yes I hate them, but a neccesary evil, knowing my kids are going to have it worse does not help for future concerns,
but I give you cudos for doing it on your own, I still have to get all the bookwork up to date, and inventory, and bank statements to take over, so its always a hassel, considering I tried twice to sell to different people and both times got ready to pay a capitol gains tax, I guess I can just say I been taxed to limit in my sanity level...and I dont even own a big business!!!

how did I end up this way I have no clue...its like I say to
God I know you are the director but can I have a rewrite of the script ????

Rant away, Diane! Sounds like you have been through a lot with the State.

You were braver than I doing your own taxes. I have done ours for years using Turbo Tax but I just felt like they were more complicated with Ron's death and I just didn't want to deal with it. I also needed them done quickly as I needed to fill out the FAFSA with my daughter for college next year. Fortunately the accountant I used didn't charge outrageous fees, and I got a refund.

The best part is, it's done!

Mary

Hi Diane,
I also live in Pa, southeast, west of Phila.
PA still owes me a tax refund from last year, close to $1800.00. Can you imagine if I owed them, they'd be charging me interest out the wazoo.
It was very hard that first year filing jointly as you said for the "last time".
Right now my house is up for sale going on 7 mos, I just signed with a new realtor who seems to be trying to move it quickly.
Advice to everyone "don't hire a friend to be your realtor" I wish someone had given me that advice. The moral here is:
It's hard to fire a friend, but it had to be done.
Wish me luck and hang in everyone
God Bless
Mary

Wow Mary (re: the tax refund that PA still owes you)...I'd be livid! That's not a lot of money to them, probably, but it sure is to you or I!

That makes me worry even more about the fate of that estate money...I don't have to pay taxes on it because in PA a spouse's share of the estate is not taxable (at least not at the amount it is), but we had to file the stupid form anyway. And now the lawyer says we have to wait until they hear back from the state before he can turn the money over to me. So, it sits. And I fume. It's enough to make me crazy, so I try not to think about it...but with every day that passes and I hear nothing, it's harder and harder NOT to think about it!

At least I can look forward to the federal refund coming soon. I put down that I wanted autodeposit, because it comes in half the time (and no waiting for a check in the mail).

Diane in PA

Well I went to our tax man today and I thought I would get killed for taxes because I had no deductions taken out of any income last year. Well we had little income also since Jim only collected social security and his 100% disability for one month..his pension from work also went down about $1000. a month. Many medical deductions too and that new wonderful tax break for qualifying Wisconsin veteran's and their wives or widow's-we get all our property tax back. So after much worry I get quite a refund...made me very happy. Oh and I did not have to sign his name-my taxman put filing as surviving spouse and I only signed my name. Glad all that is over.