I feel weird about getting a tax refund in these economic times

[margotb822]

It's weird enough to me as a federal employee to get paid by the taxes I pay, and I try to have my tax deductions set up so that I owe instead of getting a refund. But, this year I'm getting (what seems like) a huge refund...almost a whole paycheck's worth. I'm single and have a well paying job, so I feel like I don't deserve a refund as much as so many people. That and our government's broke.

Well, I talked to my mom about it and she said, "Hey, it's your money, you deserve it back. Anyways, let the people who make more than $250,000 feel guilty about their tax refunds."

:evilgrin: hehe

So, I won't give it back. I'll donate some of it, but the rest I'll go out an boost the economy with.

[amyrose2712]

1. plenty of food banks out there...

:hi: :hi:

[margotb822]

2. I've never received a chunk of money with no obligations

So, yes, I will definitely donate some. I donate a small amount out of my paycheck, but it will be nice to feel like I can really make a difference.

[Warren Stupidity]

3. A refund was your no-interest loan to the government.

It is your money. You overpaid. They should be paying you back with interest, the same awful rates they charge you if you underpay.

[margotb822]

5. Which is why I prefer to owe

That way, the interest-free loan is in my favor.

[Warren Stupidity]

21. No it isn't.

You should prefer to have neither a refund or a payment. The 'interest free loan' is in the government's favor, as is the penalty interest charged to you for underpaying by too much. The only win for you is to owe nearly nothing or to be owed nothing.

Anyhow, if you understand that the refund was your money to begin with I don't quite get your angst over accepting your money back.

[AndrewP]

4. Don't worry. We'll all be broke next year, so keep it for a rainy day.

***Cue the gloom and doom music***


Nah, like the other poster said, it's your money anyway. You sound like you have a great idea. Donate some to a worthwhile cause and stimulate the economy with the rest. :)

[960]

6. Food bank donation and save the rest.

Glad you're getting a refund. I've got a whopper of a bill.

[BuyingThyme]

7. I have a PayPal account.

[Liberal_in_LA]

9. Me too. heh heh

[scheming daemons]

8. The point is to SPEND IT to stimulate the economy.....

Buy something from a local small business to help them out and help the economy.


Seriously.

[Sydnie]

10. Then what was the point of tax refunds in the past?

I admit, I am missing your point.

[MissB]

11. Tell you what

I'll more than make up for your refund in what I owe :(

[GreenTea]

20. Yeah, BushCo sucked us, us working folks one last time before he left, taxes for

us workers this year are unbelievable.

As for the rich (under Obama & the Dems) they won't feel it till next year...Oh, how I'd so much rather be rich and and have to pay more taxes, than to be poor and pay less....But not this year, I'm paying much more!

Fucking republicans!!

[TahitiNut]

12. If you don't respect the value of your own labor, nobody else will.

You are compensated for the value of your labor ... and probably not enough. Respect yourself.

[rainbow4321]

13. You're a better person than me....

I go back an amount equal to 3 paychecks and haven't given it a second thought...the idiots who helped our government go broke are the one's who should hang their collective heads when they get THEIR tax refund.

I'm a single mom with one kid finishing up college and another still at home in high school...I put the $$ aside and use it to supplement the months I may come up short.

[a la izquierda]

14. I owe the damned state of Oklahoma

$604. My husband and I make about $40000 combined, which I realize is more than many, many people at this point--so please don't accuse me of being on a high horse. I'm not. We're getting around $500 from the feds...how we owe $600 to Oklahoma is beyond my comprehension. The state already gets more than $1500 a year from me in university fees (I'm a grad student).

Thoroughly confused, I have to go to a tax person when I return from abroad.
Take your money and do good deeds, honey. I planned on making up a neat little garden on wheels with mine refund...isn't happening now unless some tax person figures out what's wrong with my picture.

[cobalt1999]

15. Well, my wife & I combined are just over $250,000, but I don't feel guilty

So, neither should you.

[1]

16. you can always return it. then you won't feel weird...

[brer cat]

17. you deserve it and then some

go and boost the economy as far as you can kick it!!!

[LaPera]

18. Cheers to you! If you (or anyone) choose, here are some excellent places to donate....

Media Matters - (Media)
http://mediamatters.org/

Al Franken for Senate Recount Fund - (Political)
https://secure.alfranken.com/page/contribute

Brad Blog - ((Voters Rights)
http://www.bradblog.com/

ACLU - (Civil Rights)
http://www.aclu.org/

Democracy Now! - (Media)
http://www.democracynow.org/

Sierra Club - (Environment)
http://www.sierraclub.org/

People for the American Way - (Religious Freedom)
http://site.pfaw.org/

The National Coalition for the Homeless - (Poor & Hungry)
http://www.nationalhomeless.org/

Employee Free Choice Act - (Workers Rights)
http://www.aflcio.org/

A few dollars to any of them would be greatly appreciated, the above are some of my favorites and various types of organizations that I have offered my donations.

[GoesTo11]

19. I don't get it either

It's just us as a people giving money to ourselves, and since we're in deficit, the money we give is from money we borrowed. It's common wisdom that tax rates will go up in the next decades, and your refund is rolled into that. While people who don't have $500 spare dollars may rationally change their spending based on the refund, I can't see why people who have a lot more saved up would do much with it, any more than you would "cash" one of those fake checks from a credit card company.

[Blue Belle]

22. I just wish my tax refund would get here...

I need it to pay bills.