Gov't Affairs

[bjarvis]

My Canadian passport arrived yesterday. That took about 3.5 weeks from the time my application was dropped off with the courier to the time the courier appeared at my door with the new passport.

Kent's US passport arrived the day before yesterday. Processing for his took just a little more than 3 weeks from the time he dropped off the application. In all, both were processed relatively quickly and we are now free to move about the planet, although the extent of our international travel in the foreseeable future will be a trip to Vancouver via Seattle in May.

Our 1099 forms arrived in yesterday's mail so I was finally able to finish our US income tax filings. (For non-US tax filers, the 1099 form is used to declare non-salary income, in our case revenues from square dance calling gigs.) I've submitted mine electronically; last year's direct deposit was relatively expeditious so I have high hopes I'll have my refund from both the state & feds within a week or so. Alas, I did not have Kent's checking account numbers at my finger tips so e-filing for him will have to wait until we're both home tonight.

I expect we'll do something wild & crazy with our refunds, like replacing the beyond-hideous wallpaper in the main bathroom. Yay. Hold me back.

At least I don't owe Maryland like last year.

Comments

[low-fat-muffin.livejournal.com]

you are just two (wavery voice) WIIIILLD AND CRAZY GUYS (end wavery voice)

Being one that is spending his taxes on paying down debt and home improvement - I am right there with you!

[rsc.livejournal.com]

Kent's US passport arrived the day before yesterday. Processing for his took just a little more than 3 weeks from the time he dropped off the application.

Lucky him. We got notices in the mail last Friday -- 5 weeks after we had sent in our applications, and four weeks after they had cashed our checks -- that the computer-printed digital-camera photos we'd sent weren't good enough (nice of the website to have mentioned that this would be the case, huh?). When I called the 877 number to find out how far along this meant we were in the process, I was told to expect it to take another 20 business days(!) unless we sent them an additional $60 each to convert the applications to "expedited", which we did becuase we're supposed to leave on March 1. I am so not pleased with the US passport office.

[trawnapanda.livejournal.com]

I'm still deeply hurt that you didn't ask moi to sign your passport application, but I'll let that slide.

[removes back of hand from forehead, it's much easier to type with two hands]

as to income tax: I'm still awaiting a couple of charity receipts, and of course the T4 [statement of income earned] from my employer. They've got until 28 February to mail them, though.

Usually the paper forms arrive from the Canada Revenue Agency in a big bulky package between Christmas and New Year -- this year at that time, a slim #10 envelope, with code numbers in it, arrived. All becoz last year I succumbed and paid $16 to have software do my taxes and generate a file I then emailed to the CRA.

For years I did my taxes the first weekend in March (right after the last information slips and receipts appeared), dropped 'em in the mail, and (this being 7 weeks before the deadline) the money appeared in my account quite promptly - usually before the 15th of the month. It was kinda fun, driving my own spreadsheet and all. But last year there were hiccups with a (significantly large) receipt, so it was the end of March before I could file, and I didn't want to get caught up in the delay. Hence the investment of $16.

They're more addictive than nicotine, or even Girl Guide [Scout] Thin Mint Cookies. MY that was easy, and the refund was in my account within a week. I'm never going back to my own spreadsheet for tax calculations. It was like the first time I had a push-button phone (as opposed to a rotary dial).

and as soon as the refund comes, a large dent will be put in the mortgage.

[fuzzygruf.livejournal.com]

You received some 1099 forms yesterday? The regulations require that 1099's be mailed no later than January 31st. What was the postmark? Someone needs to be FINED!

[billeyler.livejournal.com]

1099s in the square dance world are always interesting, since some groups do issue them, some don't because they don't want to, and some don't because they don't know what they are.

Happily, I always CMA by reporting ALL my income, including cash. I like to see how little I make in the course of a year from square dancing. :-)

Plus I'm an accountant with morals, even though I'm not that excited about supporting most of the Bush-caused agenda.