Finishing Up Taxes

I’m just about finished with my taxes. As is usual because of my various sidelines, odd jobs, and various and sundry sources of income, I’m waiting for one final 1099 before I can close the book on this tax year.

When I first got into doing taxes, particularly with W2s from a paying, it was a bit of a rite of passage to do my taxes. You know, being an adult. Now, I’ve got eight years into the whole practice of taxes, it is not fun at all. It’s a big waste of time that as I’m doing it makes me wonder, “Is it really worth it to even try to earn a little extra income.” for all the hassle it takes to report it. Well, I dream bigger of bigger and better things coming out of this, so I put up with the hassle.

Now, I’m not going to release any bottom line numbers, (As if this time of year isn’t frought with enough identity theft problems with government requring every little bank you earn interest with and every publisher that pays you a few bucks in royalties to send out a piece of paper with everything an identity thief needs to go town with.) But there are a few interesting findings.

This blog and my podcasts make money, as does my wife’s kilt business. Pretty much everything else though, we’re in the, “You got to spend money to make money phase.” I hate that phase.

However, I will say this for the record to opponents of the Fair Tax. 2008 was my 4th Tax year as a Homeowner. I have yet to take a tax deduction for Home Mortgage Interest. I’ve been giving to charity longer than that and I have yet to write off a nickle of federal taxes.

Quite frankly, I’d rather have the Fair Tax and save all the hassle.