Cash in Hand

Now that we're well underway in 2008, my thoughts had turned quite quickly to the annual chore that is filling in the tax returns. Of course, these days, it's considerably easier than it used to be with the advent of e-filing and such making it far quicker and convenient to get your taxes sorted, and frankly costs you less. If you earn less than $57000 a year net pay, then you're entitled to file federal taxes for free and you are usually charged a nominal fee (around $10) for filing the state tax returns (of course you have to file both for state and federal which, i imagine for some people means a hell of a lot more paperwork). Suffice to say, with the help of my previous year tax return as a guide, and all requisite information, it didn't take me long to sort out my returns and file them. And i got the cash in the bank account this week - one of those nice surprises when you go to check your balance and you have more than you anticipated. Quite frankly, i don't mind the effort taken to fill in the tax returns if you get money back in the end - it's certainly money that I didn't account for in my budget and i may use it for a holiday of sorts.

Now, this year promises to be even better for a lot of people across the US. With the US economy teetering on the brink, the government has put together an economic stimulus package whereby according to your tax returns filed, you will get some amount of money extra back as a rebate - i think about $600 is the set limit for the average worker and $300 for retirees living on the state. The aim, of course, is for the recipients to put the money back into the economy and hopefully give some stability. Suffice to say, with the bill being signed this week, i was quite happy to go clothes shopping today - and spend a fair few dollars on some nice shiny jeans, trainers and tops which (hallelujah) and less than half the price than what i would pay if i was back in the UK. Did i mention how much i like living over here sometimes???