Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

explorerx4

My accountant charges $150 and we usually have something weird with our taxes.
This year is was the land in Germany that got sold.
I did the best I could with the estimate, the gain being the difference in Dollar/Euro when my name went on it compared to when it sold.
A lot of what used to be East Germany is still a pretty depressed area.

Michaell

I’ve been emailing with our CPA.

Looking like a 5 figure tax bill for the household, this year. Self employed income doesn’t help, for both the wife and I.

And, the business turned a profit this year, which sounds good but makes things worse.

Perhaps @jmonroe1 and I need to have an off-line conversation.

explorerx4

@michaell,
That may help keep preowned vehicle values up for a while?

qbrozen

@28firefighter said:
I’m done with TurboTax after this year. It is totally incompetent at handling the rsu side of our compensation.

I compared turbotax to taxact several times and the latter always came out on top.

28firefighter

I’m going to hire an accountant. I hate doing this in the first place and now I feel like it’s just not worth it.

oldfarmer50

28firefighter said:

I’m done with TurboTax after this year. It is totally incompetent at handling the rsu side of our compensation.

I’ve always done paper returns and will continue despite government harassing those of us who chose to do so.

oldfarmer50

Michaell said:

I’ve been emailing with our CPA.

Looking like a 5 figure tax bill for the household, this year. Self employed income doesn’t help, for both the wife and I.

And, the business turned a profit this year, which sounds good but makes things worse.

Perhaps @jmonroe1 and I need to have an off-line conversation.

My ambition was to be wealthy enough to pay five figure taxes.

28firefighter

@oldfarmer50 said:
I’ve always done paper returns and will continue despite government harassing those of us who chose to do so.

I have even less urge to do that. Time to pay “the (wo)man.”

jmonroe1

Michaell said:

I’ve been emailing with our CPA.

Looking like a 5 figure tax bill for the household, this year. Self employed income doesn’t help, for both the wife and I.

And, the business turned a profit this year, which sounds good but makes things worse.

Perhaps @jmonroe1 and I need to have an off-line conversation.

Why? We’re poster buddies so we don’t have secrets from each other. Fire away.

jmonroe

stickguy

I can remember sitting at the table with forms and instructions spread out all over, using a calculator to come up with numbers and hoping I could write clearly enough for them to read it. Hated doing that. Never again. Software is vastly easier. Plus if you are getting a refund, you get your money 5 months sooner!

much less chance of getting audited too. or of having something get screwed up so you get sent a delinquent notice. Not worth the risk.

jmonroe1

oldfarmer50 said:

Michaell said:

I’ve been emailing with our CPA.

Looking like a 5 figure tax bill for the household, this year. Self employed income doesn’t help, for both the wife and I.

And, the business turned a profit this year, which sounds good but makes things worse.

Perhaps @jmonroe1 and I need to have an off-line conversation.

My ambition was to be wealthy enough to pay five figure taxes.

Me too and a bigger ambition was to keep all of it.

jmonroe

henryn

As long as I was working, and doing the rather weird self employed contract type of work, I paid an accountant, and she was well worth the cost. This last year (as in 2 months ago), I went with TurboTax online for free. Very quick, very straight forward, and free. But my tax return was really very simple.

roadburner

28firefighter said:

I’m going to hire an accountant. I hate doing this in the first place and now I feel like it’s just not worth it.

I went with an accountant several years ago. No regrets.

laurasdada

I've used Tax Cut/HR Block for years; as far as I know, always all's well. Pretty easy vs. my years of pencils/eraser/forms, then ink.

oldfarmer50

stickguy said:

I can remember sitting at the table with forms and instructions spread out all over, using a calculator to come up with numbers and hoping I could write clearly enough for them to read it. Hated doing that. Never again. Software is vastly easier. Plus if you are getting a refund, you get your money 5 months sooner!

much less chance of getting audited too. or of having something get screwed up so you get sent a delinquent notice. Not worth the risk.

I never got a refund so maybe that’s why I never embraced the new tech.

kyfdx

I've been using TurboTax since 2004.

The only hiccups I had were with the K-1s from a real estate investment, but it handled that pretty well, until the final K-1. Also, you can go directly to the form, and make changes. That fixes a lot of issues.

Of course, I don't have a Swiss bank account, former land from my time as a Prince of the Hohenzollerns, or stock options.

imidazol97

A good thing. Do they come in 3's? I need some good luck.

I was slowly making right turn onto main road to go to UDF to get coffee.
Car coming toward me moving to center for left turn dropped left
front corner. Sparks and dust flew from pavement, and the left
front wheel rolled out from under the car.

Wheel started curving toward front of my car as it rolled. I moved
to the right and sped up. The wheel passed by me a couple of feet
behind my rear. Rolled across intersection, hit the white Malibu
in the driveway and fell into the shrubs.

All I could think about when I saw the wheel rolling toward me was
the woman killed on I75 a few years back when a wheel from oncoming
traffic hit windwhield of her Mustang... It could have hit my car
and killed me! Well, not likely at 20 mph or less.

jmonroe1

kyfdx said:

I've been using TurboTax since 2004.

The only hiccups I had were with the K-1s from a real estate investment, but it handled that pretty well, until the final K-1. Also, you can go directly to the form, and make changes. That fixes a lot of issues.

Of course, I don't have a Swiss bank account, former land from my time as a Prince of the Hohenzollerns, or stock options.

I have ways of fixing things too.

jmonroe

stickguy

my taxes are so simple that it would take more effort to put everything together and get to an accountant so they could spend the 10 minutes imputting everying and hitting submit. No fancy investments like rental properties. No deductions at all. A couple of W2s, a few 1099divs and that is about it.

JM, not even much room for "creative accounting" unless I wanted to claim something like the EV tax credit (do they even get a form filed by the dealer for that?)

jmonroe1

stickguy said:

my taxes are so simple that it would take more effort to put everything together and get to an accountant so they could spend the 10 minutes imputting everying and hitting submit. No fancy investments like rental properties. No deductions at all. A couple of W2s, a few 1099divs and that is about it.

JM, not even much room for "creative accounting" unless I wanted to claim something like the EV tax credit (do they even get a form filed by the dealer for that?)

Where there is a will there is a way.

You’d shouldn’t be surprised to learn that the IRS thinks I have an EV. You should be able to claim two of them if you have a two car garage, right?

jmonroe

snakeweasel

jmonroe1 said:

stickguy said:

my taxes are so simple that it would take more effort to put everything together and get to an accountant so they could spend the 10 minutes imputting everying and hitting submit. No fancy investments like rental properties. No deductions at all. A couple of W2s, a few 1099divs and that is about it.

JM, not even much room for "creative accounting" unless I wanted to claim something like the EV tax credit (do they even get a form filed by the dealer for that?)

Where there is a will there is a way.

You’d shouldn’t be surprised to learn that the IRS thinks I have an EV. You should be able to claim two of them if you have a two car garage, right?

jmonroe

Why not three or four as you have a driveway?

What is with this place? I come here for a diversion and it's all shop talk.

henryn

imidazol97 said:

A good thing. Do they come in 3's? I need some good luck.

I was slowly making right turn onto main road to go to UDF to get coffee.
Car coming toward me moving to center for left turn dropped left
front corner. Sparks and dust flew from pavement, and the left
front wheel rolled out from under the car.

Wheel started curving toward front of my car as it rolled. I moved
to the right and sped up. The wheel passed by me a couple of feet
behind my rear. Rolled across intersection, hit the white Malibu
in the driveway and fell into the shrubs.

All I could think about when I saw the wheel rolling toward me was
the woman killed on I75 a few years back when a wheel from oncoming
traffic hit windwhield of her Mustang... It could have hit my car
and killed me! Well, not likely at 20 mph or less.

A wheel and tire coming completely off is rather unusual. Yes, it happens, but pretty rare. Now a ball joint coming loose and the wheel and tire leaning at an acute angle, much more common.

tjc78

@snakeweasel said:
Why not three or four as you have a driveway?

What is with this place? I come here for a diversion and it's all shop talk.

Well I tried to spark a ketchup vs mustard debate and it didn’t have much traction.

Anyone buy dishwasher lately?

How about bourbon? Just popped a wonderful bottle of Old Elk 6yr single barrel.

sda

More pricing non sense. 4 yrs

old and priced more than when new!

ab348

tjc78 said:

How about bourbon? Just popped a wonderful bottle of Old Elk 6yr single barrel.

The organization for whom I used to work seems to have lost their way when it comes to bourbon. Very little of anything good available, and it is like they have almost given up. Of course a lot of that is probably due to the recent upsurge in FOMO and the US (and other) markets snapping up what they consider "the best" bourbons at ridiculous prices, leading to shortages. So things like Eagle Rare are now simply not available here. Then you have numerous new brands appearing using MGP-sourced liquid of unknown age but with fancy packaging and lots of marketing spin to let them charge outrageous prices. It's unfortunate.

tjc78

@ab348
I’ve given up on Buffalo Trace products except for the somewhat available Buffalo Trace branded bourbon for old fashioneds. I have a little Eagle Rare left which is basically unobtainable, Weller, Stagg Jr, Colonel Taylor all only available for stupid prices on the 2nd hand market.

Too many other great bourbons available to chase the BT products.

tjc78

I’m supposed to relax at the shore… but wife wanted a new chandelier to replace the crappy one here. So, ran to Lowes and grabbed one. Electrical box was pretty off center, so needed a little swag to place it in the middle of the table. No silver hook in stock, so I’ll have to swap it out.

ab348

Yes, we have ample Buffalo Trace available here too. I have some left in a bottle on my shelf but I'm not a huge fan. I think our liquor Board have every Jack Daniels and Jim Beam branded product available but I don't like those. I don't care for Woodford either. Makers is also in good supply and I like their 46. But we have a lot of what I consider dubious brands that seem overpriced to me - Howler Head, Kentucky Owl, Kings County, Uncle Nearest, etc.

snakeweasel

sda said:

More pricing non sense. 4 yrs


old and priced more than when new!

At those prices I would think they would wash them.

stickguy

all Bourbon tastes the same to me. Like paint thinner smells and I assume it tastes.

We did find a little local hudson valley (NY) distiller that has very tasty stuff (confirmed by my son the bourbon snob). Actually stopped to get the gin they have which is some of the tasty I ever tried. plus the place is really cool with a nice bar if you want to taste.

https://www.hudsonwhiskey.com/en-US/

tjc78

@ab348 said:
Yes, we have ample Buffalo Trace available here too. I have some left in a bottle on my shelf but I'm not a huge fan. I think our liquor Board have every Jack Daniels and Jim Beam branded product available but I don't like those. I don't care for Woodford either. Makers is also in good supply and I like their 46. But we have a lot of what I consider dubious brands that seem overpriced to me - Howler Head, Kentucky Owl, Kings County, Uncle Nearest, etc.

I don’t mind Knob Creek made by Jim Beam. I have to grab a bottle of JD Single barrel. Haven’t had that in awhile. I like Woodford, but it’s not my favorite. It is however, my wife’s favorite for old fashioneds so we always have it!

My wife also likes Angel’s Envy Rye to sip on, but that is pretty hard to come by too these days

henryn

I'm a bourbon drinker myself, but I really don't have a refined palate. I like Jack Daniels, but I also like the Evan Williams or even Old Crow. Gin is one of those acquired tastes that I never acquired.

I do have a bottle of Bushmill's 10 year old single malt which I whip out for special occassions. I really don't notice that much difference myself, but the bottle and packaging seem to impress people.

tjc78

Evan Williams Bottled in Bond is known to be a great
low cost bourbon.

I can’t sip regular old JD, Gentleman of Single barrel is much smoother.

stickguy

decided today was spring yard work day (#3). Was planning to do a first mow so had to go get gas (and $3 does not fill the can nearly as far as it used to!) But got distracted working on the wooded area behind the fence. Discovered my chainsaw is in rough shape (I never used it but 3 years ago lent it to my daughter for BF to use. Apparently the chain got messed up and they never cleaned it so all gunked up, and inside of case was very oily). So that went back in the case and back in the shed. Not cutting scrap trees this weekend!

raked up the banks and cleared the drainage ditch instead. A fun filled hour. decided to pass on the mowing after that, when it started to snow/sleet on me. Had enough exercise already for 1 day. Need to save something to do during work hours anyway.

stickguy

Really need to push my wife toward the 55 community (new build) twin townhouses I found. Really nice design, great location, and it includes all outside maintenance. That is enough to sell me.

tjc78

This week weather permitting I need to clean the front beds out and rake any leaves in the back yard that blew in.

From there l will add some mulch to the beds and the lawn guy will take over. Fertilizer guy has already put down something for the lawn and dropped off the first bill.

stickguy

I hated fertilizing (and never got it right) so years ago I farmed that out.

and a few years ago I just couldn't take doing to the mulching (and my wife hated having to help) so I hired landscapers to do that. Once I found out how little the extra $ cost was (after I bought mulch when I did it myself) I was sorry I did not do it sooner.

they are coming this week. I love to see the guys swarm over the lawn, making perfect cuts on the beds and moving the mountain of mulch. Then cleaning it all up. Well worth the money!

I still mow myself though. That is the big ticket $ item! but that only lasts until we finally move. The mowing equipment, I don't want that making the trip!

tjc78

I’m probably going to liquidate everything but my blower. Don’t use any of it.

Mower hasn’t run for 2+ years, and I don’t think I ran the gas out of the carb so it’s probably fouled up.

ab348

Our weather has been hit or miss even for March. We had a lovely day where it got up into the high '60s last Sunday but I wasn't feeling well and did nothing outdoors. A few days later I was rarin' to go but it was cold and damp, so nothing then either. This week is supposed to be cold and generally crummy the way March is supposed to be.

stickguy

tjc78 said:

I’m probably going to liquidate everything but my blower. Don’t use any of it.

Mower hasn’t run for 2+ years, and I don’t think I ran the gas out of the carb so it’s probably fouled up.

even if I hired a guy here (that most of my neighbors use) I would still need the mower. I always have to mow a number of times before he starts, and a few times after he wraps up for the season.'

I actually don't mind doing the mowing since I am around anyway. It's good exercise. Plus, my yard does not drain well so it is often soft. Very common to see neighbors with major ruts after the lawn guys show up and run the monster machines at his speeds on spongy lawns. at least my little push mower isn't going to do that!

I also bought a new mower 2 years ago when my old one died, so still amortizing that purchase cost!

what I do hate is using the weed whacker. I thought a few times about asking the guy that does the house next door if he would quote me on just doing that part!

stickguy

and when I move, if it is a big yard I will contract it out. small yard will but a rechargeable mower and do it myself (unless I get lucky and it is a neighborhood where the HOA includes mowing, etc.)

henryn

stickguy said:

tjc78 said:

I’m probably going to liquidate everything but my blower. Don’t use any of it.

Mower hasn’t run for 2+ years, and I don’t think I ran the gas out of the carb so it’s probably fouled up.

even if I hired a guy here (that most of my neighbors use) I would still need the mower. I always have to mow a number of times before he starts, and a few times after he wraps up for the season.'

I actually don't mind doing the mowing since I am around anyway. It's good exercise. Plus, my yard does not drain well so it is often soft. Very common to see neighbors with major ruts after the lawn guys show up and run the monster machines at his speeds on spongy lawns. at least my little push mower isn't going to do that!

I also bought a new mower 2 years ago when my old one died, so still amortizing that purchase cost!

what I do hate is using the weed whacker. I thought a few times about asking the guy that does the house next door if he would quote me on just doing that part!

If I might make a recommendation -- look into an Ego battery powered string trimmer. It works very well, equal to or better than 2 cycle gas trimmers that cost considerably more. No gas, no mixing gas and oil, no hard starts. Just pull the trigger and it's running. Quiet, powerful, lightweight, what's not to like? It makes trimming a lot easier.

venture

henryn said:

stickguy said:

tjc78 said:

I’m probably going to liquidate everything but my blower. Don’t use any of it.

Mower hasn’t run for 2+ years, and I don’t think I ran the gas out of the carb so it’s probably fouled up.

even if I hired a guy here (that most of my neighbors use) I would still need the mower. I always have to mow a number of times before he starts, and a few times after he wraps up for the season.'

I actually don't mind doing the mowing since I am around anyway. It's good exercise. Plus, my yard does not drain well so it is often soft. Very common to see neighbors with major ruts after the lawn guys show up and run the monster machines at his speeds on spongy lawns. at least my little push mower isn't going to do that!

I also bought a new mower 2 years ago when my old one died, so still amortizing that purchase cost!

what I do hate is using the weed whacker. I thought a few times about asking the guy that does the house next door if he would quote me on just doing that part!

If I might make a recommendation -- look into an Ego battery powered string trimmer. It works very well, equal to or better than 2 cycle gas trimmers that cost considerably more. No gas, no mixing gas and oil, no hard starts. Just pull the trigger and it's running. Quiet, powerful, lightweight, what's not to like? It makes trimming a lot easier.

I'll second that. I use battery trimmers at the baseball field. Each one will run for about 45 minutes on a charge - about as long as I can stand doing it. Mine are Ryobi, but they are all pretty much the same.

stickguy

unless my current 2 stroke (hate that thing) dies I ain't spending money on a new one. It is a pain to use though.

I used to have a battery powered one. Batteries just did not last very long and expensive to replace.

explorerx4

I have a 36 year old gas weed whacker and a 2 year old battery version.
The old one has some issues, bump feed doesn't work, but I like it better.
I also have a smaller battery version of the new weed whacker that I use for edging the driveway/sidewalk.
Love that. I just have the head unit rotated 90 degrees.

tjc78

@stickguy said:
and when I move, if it is a big yard I will contract it out. small yard will but a rechargeable mower and do it myself (unless I get lucky and it is a neighborhood where the HOA includes mowing, etc.)

I’m 1/3 acre and to me that’s big!

oldfarmer50

tjc78 said:

@stickguy said:

and when I move, if it is a big yard I will contract it out. small yard will but a rechargeable mower and do it myself (unless I get lucky and it is a neighborhood where the HOA includes mowing, etc.)

I’m 1/3 acre and to me that’s big!

I do five acres a week and it’s time to start looking for a new lawn tractor before the current one bites the dust.

stickguy

Mine is about .36 acres. At least the pool and deck/patio around it cut down the gas area! and I do that with a manual propel mower. I have never had self propelled.

If I went up to an acre lawn I would definitely have a riding mower if doing it myself. And into the 2+ range, a tractor with bucket and backhoe like my BIL has!

explorerx4

I think our new lot is about 1/3 of an acre, so still doable with a walk behind mower.

henryn

During the growing season (which is pretty long here), I do 3 houses on standard 1/5 acre lots. And I clean the ditches and edges of 4 empty lots. My first Ego battery lasted 3 years. When it went, I bought 2 more (no waiting) and both of them are still going strong after 3 years. Money well spent, in my book. I hate 2 cycle engines. Or maybe I should say they hate me?

I have no problem with a 4 cycle gas powered lawn mower. I buy the Troy Bilt models, big rear wheels, Honda motor, true push (no drive wheels). The Honda motors last forever, but the deck rusts out after about 5 years. With that said, I have had to clean the carb on this last one. The previous unit, I never touched it except to add gas and do the mowing.