Filing Tax Returns Like a Big Boy


Its kind of embarrassing, but my mommy filed my tax return for me last year. This year I procrastinated it a ton, but I am glad to say I've moved to the big kid table. I got some tax software and I did it myself. There are free options, and even free helps for students, but with only a couple days left, most of those helps were gone. I opted for the easiest software, according to most every review, and me, Turbo tax. I actually found an awesome Amazon deal for the good package, $35. Ironically, I'm the guy who teaches how to take advantage of savings, and I ended up paying $56 for it. Be smarter than me. Here's a link to Amazon if you've procrastinated like me. You've got 1 day left! 
 I'm no tax experts, but here are some tax things you need to know!

#1. File for your return!
Right now at my day job I make $12 an hour. It took me two hours to file, and I'll get about 1,300 back this year. 650 an hour sounds pretty good to me. Most guys my age are pleased with 15 an hour. When I think of the times growing up I didn't file, it makes me sick. DO IT!

#2 Being claimed as a dependent
Parents like to claim their kids as a dependent because it gets them more money. You get less money though if you are claimed. How much less? Last year I lost 400 from that. My parents are nice though, and wrote me a check for the difference because they got lots more than that back.
Even if your parents are generous like mine, Be careful with this! I ended up missing out on grants for school, food stamps, and other programs designed to take the starving out of starving students. Getting a few grand in grants would have been way better than working 4 part time jobs and going to school full time.

#3 1098-T
Did you pay for school? You can get a ton of money. My wife has a half tuition scholarship and still got $922 back, which was about 75% of our return. Your school will have this form for you, usually on your school website in your student portal. Make sure you do this!

#4 Amend past taxes
If you missed something in past years, especially your 1098-T, you can amend past taxes and get lots of money back. I'm no tax expert, but paying a CPA $150 to get a few thousand back, or even a few hundred.
Everyone hates paying taxes. Everyone loves getting hundreds or thousands of dollars. Do something about it, otherwise the government keeps your hard earned money!

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