Closing in on Tax Time

We have our mail forwarded to us from FL once a week and this week we had our first W2 as part of the mail. Usually, we only get magazines and, maybe, a couple statements from places like Medicare, Verizon and other accounts, but our bills are paid online so we don't worry about receiving those. The point is that we expect the next couple mailings to be loaded with our other W2's which means that tax time is about here.

This past year we only worked at two locations - Vista, CA and Jackson, WY - plus a short stint at the flower shop here in AZ where Josie worked a week and I drove for a couple days. Our taxes get a little more complicated by working in more than one state that has an income tax - CA and AZ. Fortunately, WY has no income tax so we don't file there. The added state returns just add to the paperwork and is another reason I couldn't do the taxes without a software package like Turbo Tax. The ideal situation is to work in WY and live in another income tax free state. The closest ones would be Nevada or Texas. Washington is also income tax free and we enjoyed that benefit for 20 years, although they get you on the high sales tax.

Anyway, tax time is rapidly approaching and I am starting to gather all the info I will need to complete them. I usually have them done in February and hope that holds true this year. Whatever taxes there are for this year will be higher next year based on what Congress is doing - or not doing. That's another story for another day...