pettie4sox

This is why I said agree to disagree because I didn't know his life. I knew that we could truly never understand where each came from and left it at that. I'm going to open up a new discussion about what is the best way to use to your tax refund? Thoughts?

We can agree to disagree. I don't really know your life or your experiences but my experience has lead me to believe the opposite.

The state should not be reducing the funding for their institutions. That is a good use of tax dollars IMO. I would give the schools whatever they need to be an optimal machine.

Normally your statement makes sense but not everyone has similar opportunities to ace it. That's why we need to level the playing field and then you can say, "Well everyone has the same opportunity!", because right now that is pure rubbish.

Personally, I think they they need to make school cheaper. There is no reason you should go into your career caring a giant debt for trying to better your life. Student loan forgiveness is for teachers I believe and it's very difficult to obtain if I'm not mistaken. I don't know many people that are crying for a benefit for teachers when they are not teachers.

Alright thanks.

Thanks for the input, both of you. It's wise to wait until the next year to do this, correct?

Yeah I changed jobs last year and my salary increased substantially. I work for a big corporation and they actually contract out HR services to ADP. Maybe they could assist, but I'm not holding my breath.

I am considering seeing an accountant before the start of next year to adjust my withholding to shoot for a zero refund/zero owed. I've been single and lazy all these years so I claimed 0 and took my refunds because it was easier to give than to owe when you may not have it.

1st point: Who demands to get bailed out of student loans? I think the interest rate should be a big fat zero. The government should not be in the business of making money off its citizens. The fact that you paid $1900 in student loan interest is criminal. The system needs to be overhauled for this various reason. $1900 is a lot of money to middle class and poor people and that could be used to infuse the economy accordingly. 2nd point: Maybe I'm idiotic but I think a tax break should be you paying less taxes, not you getting your "refund" back little by little during the year. My refund last year was the similar to the one I got this year except I made almost 40K more. Something seems off about that.

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Also Rabbit. Check with your bank to see if they can help you out. They might be able to assist based on your banking relationship and give you a good rate.

Yes. You deduct student loan interest from your state taxes. I know because every year I do it and always get a refund and I don't pay much in interest since my loan amounts are practically finished these days. Find preapproved offers in the mail and check the rates that way. They generally don't effect your credit score by taking a peek.

Bro I get it really. I have a ton of money locked up in sports betting that I can't touch because I don't want to pay taxes on it. Illinois does need to do better but the people keep electing the same clowns over and over again. You can't really fix that level of voter ineptitude. The only reason they can get away with it is because Chicago is a world class elite city. Without Chicago, Illinois is another flyover state.

If it's the US gov't, they should be ashamed of themselves. If it's a private loan, then it's straight capitalism.

No they don't but they can make sure you deduct the proper things like student loan interest which I know you paid a ton of. I would look for refi opportunities that don't mess with your credit score but if you find a really good deal, take the hit and save yourself money via interest paid.

I'm with you on the potholes, they are ridiculous but you paying 7 cents for grocery bags is you fault. Buy the reusable, you'll come out ahead in the long term. Well you left out the stock initially and so..... ?

Sounds like you have a bad accountant too.

How long has passed since you initially refi'ed?

So if they did right and you claimed 0, how do you owe money? Maybe your accountant messed it up? I'm not trying to argue but it sounds like you got hosed. (My dad is a CPA)

Blame your employer for being incompetent

Dude you are lazy saver but you pay your bills down... Sounds pretty savvy to me.

I did the turbotax this year. I usually go to my dad since he's a CPA but he was charging $175. I ended up paying $80 for using the software and they imported my w2s. I'm single with no kids and just had a few jobs so it wasn't that hard in the grand scheme of things.

Can you even deduct your state taxes in Illinois?

Ummm yet you guys were boinking? Kids these days... Sorry to make light of your situation but as long as you both know were you stand and make sure it sticks legally, it sounds like you both are getting what you want.