Here There and Everywhere

Expat wanderer

Income Tax Blessing

You didn’t think those words could all be used in the same sentence, did you? AdventureMan and I have to pay something called “quarterly estimated taxes” and this year, I guess because our investment income went seriously down, we overpaid our taxes. I know, I know, that doesn’t sound like good news to you, but it sure beats the pit-in-the-stomach of learning that you owe more to Uncle Sam. We overpaid, and we will go ahead and apply it to next year’s taxes and hope that everything works out well next year, too.

We used to talk to my father about ways he could pay less tax on his income and savings. He would look at us and say “But the government was always good to me!” (he worked for the government) “They paid my salary! They pay my retirement! They help pay my medical bills! Why would I not want to pay them taxes?”

It was an extraordinary attitude; I have never forgotten it.

April 28, 2009 - Posted by | Biography, Bureaucracy, Character, Community, Cultural, Family Issues, Living Conditions, Random Musings, Relationships, Social Issues

5 Comments »

  1. So I’m under the mistaken idea that we won’t have to pay taxes while living in Kuwait. Maybe because I’m not a government employee but rather employed by a private school? This year is okay but for 2009, (2010) I’m hoping that I won’t have to pay. (as always, a taxpayer looking for a loophole!) Keep up the good work! Cheers
    NWB

    NWBrown's avatar Comment by NWBrown | April 28, 2009 | Reply

  2. Nadine, I thought you were Canadian! If you are a US citizen, you have to file, whether you have to pay or not. The rules for expats change every year, and I know that if you don’t file by a certain date, you DO NOT get the expat exemption! Call the embassy, or go to their website, it should tell you there where to get the tax forms and how to file.

    intlxpatr's avatar Comment by intlxpatr | April 28, 2009 | Reply

    • Well I’m Minnesotan so that’s almost Canadian right?
      We did file this year and were “blessed” with a return. It’s next year that I’m wondering about.
      Thanks for the info. Take Care
      Cheers

      Nadine Brown's avatar Comment by Nadine Brown | April 28, 2009 | Reply

  3. “give to Ceasar what is Ceasar’s…”

    Q8Dutchie's avatar Comment by Q8Dutchie | April 28, 2009 | Reply

  4. You have to file, Nadine, but you may not have to pay anything, and you might still get something back! 🙂

    Absolutely, Q8Dutchie! 🙂

    intlxpatr's avatar Comment by intlxpatr | April 29, 2009 | Reply


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