I can't file for anything income tax wise, since the SSA says NO, so I don't, as there is nothing I can do about it.

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The T1 Trust, PRR T1 Class 4-4-4-4 #5550, 1 of America's First HST's

In Illinois, you are supposed to file and pay use tax on out of state purchases. I don't think many people bother, except maybe with really big ticket items. I don't know of the state is actively seeking info from retailers.

Some states have agreements to collect each others taxes for online sales. Say states A through F have such an agreement. Someone in A buys something from a seller in B, the seller collects A's tax.* But if someone in C buys something from a seller in G, which is not part of the agreement, the seller doesn't collect any tax. Likewise if someone in H buys from a seller in D.

Most (or all) states require that if a seller has a physical presence in the state, they have to collect tax from buyers in the state, even if the actual shipment comes from another state.

This gets to be a real PITA at work because public schools DO NOT pay sales tax. Our accountants get very upset if we do. But web sites are (understandably) not set up to give you an exemption from tax if you would otherwise owe it. We usually have to call or email the company to get exempted. We have a state ID number for that purpose.

*One problem with this is that they might not check in enough detail to find out what the tax rate is for your billing address and just charge the highest rate anywhere in the state. In Chicago, that's over 10%, with state, county, and city all assessing taxes. Where I live, it's 7.25%. And most towns add restaurant tax too.

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David
Sitting on my butt while others boldly go,
Waiting for a message from a small furry creature from Alpha Centauri.

In my county; currently sales tax is up to 8.5%, it used to be 8.25%. If the Supreme Court strikes down the Obamacare Individual Mandate; then, while I'm on SSDI I won't even need to file Federal Income Taxes. This is because I don't earn enough on SSDI to file and pay taxes. However; if the SC rules that the Mandate is Constitutional, then I will need to File my Federal Taxes each year to prove I have medical insurance; which I do, in the form of Medicare. The benefit for me to file taxes is that I will qualify for the Earned Income Credit, and will be due an automatic refund of the EIC amount. [I don't quite understand how this works; when I haven't paid any Federal Taxes into the system drawing on SSDI, but it is lawful, and the last time I did file, (because of a part time job that took out Federal Taxes), I got my normal refund + the EIC.] Supposedly, I have to file this year because the Mandate is supposed to take effect. We shall see.

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TimeLord04
Have TARDIS, will travel...
Come along K-9!
Join Calm Chaos

In my county; currently sales tax is up to 8.5%, it used to be 8.25%. If the Supreme Court strikes down the Obamacare Individual Mandate; then, while I'm on SSDI I won't even need to file Federal Income Taxes. This is because I don't earn enough on SSDI to file and pay taxes. However; if the SC rules that the Mandate is Constitutional, then I will need to File my Federal Taxes each year to prove I have medical insurance; which I do, in the form of Medicare. The benefit for me to file taxes is that I will qualify for the Earned Income Credit, and will be due an automatic refund of the EIC amount. [I don't quite understand how this works; when I haven't paid any Federal Taxes into the system drawing on SSDI, but it is lawful, and the last time I did file, (because of a part time job that took out Federal Taxes), I got my normal refund + the EIC.] Supposedly, I have to file this year because the Mandate is supposed to take effect. We shall see.

Getting SSI I can't do that TL, you are so lucky, another 7 or so years until I can get SS.

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The T1 Trust, PRR T1 Class 4-4-4-4 #5550, 1 of America's First HST's

...
As to prime, most of the stuff I get from Amazon I don't need the next day. So the super slow free shipping option works for me and they don't get any extra money. Maybe I just plan ahead.

Or maybe you don't have a 14 year old boy in your house freaking out at you because they want that gaming mousemat now dammit! Although what did do it for me was when my propriety charging cable for my asus tablet died and I needed a new one. As I use my tablet for work that was a disaster.

In the last 6 months I have apparently bought:

• Crystal Clear HD Premium Screen Protector for Samsung Galaxy S4 mini / S 4
  
• Cute Owl Design Soft Gel TPU Silicone Etui Back Case Cover For Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini I9190
  
• Crystal Clear Premium Screen Protector for Samsung Galaxy Nexus I9250.
  
• Plunkett's Procedures for the Medical Administrative Assistant, (book)
  
• Essentials of Business Communication (book)
  
• SB 3.0 Data Sync Charging Charger Cable Cord for Asus EeePad Transformer
  
• HDMI Female to VGA w/ Audio Adapter Converter Support 1080P for PC TV - White
  
• Sync and Charge USB Data Cable for Asus Eee Pad Transformer TF300, (I wanted a spare. Never again will I be caught without one)
  
• Travel Charger for ASUS Transformer TF101 / TF201 / TF300 Tablet (after the failure of the original I wanted backup)
  
• FURminator DeShed Tool Cat, Small, Long (work's pretty well actually. Kitty seems to like it.)
  
• 10 inch Micro HDMI to VGA Female Video Cable- Support HD 1080P (The first one wasn't too good so I got another, although I think the actual connecting cable is the problem)
  
• Razer Vespula Dual-Sided Gaming Mouse Mat (Dark Grey)
  
• Bio Hazard Symbols Hard Back Case Cover for HTC Desire C
  
• Party of One (book)
  
• Bumkins Reusable Sandwich and Snack Bag, Crocs, Blue, 1-Pack (useful for putting leftover pizza in)
  
• The Walking Dead Compendium Volume 2 TP (book)
  
• Google Nexus 5 [SHIFT LX] PU Leather Wallet Flip Stand Case Cover with Card Pockets (Black)
  
• Magnetic Magnet Ultra Slim Thin Leather Cover Sleeve Case with Auto Wake Sleep Mode for eReader eBook Kobo AURA
  
• Bumkins Reusable Snack Bags, Turtle and Crocs, Green, 1-Pack (useful for taking cake to the movies. They don't rustle when you open them)
  
• A Teacher's Guide to Cognitive Type Theory & Learning Style (book)
  

As you can see, I don't just order things for me, but for the whole family, and sometimes time is an issue, sometimes its not.

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Reality Internet Personality

Scott, SS benifits are not Earned Income and thus don't qualify for EITC.
I have heard nothing yet, that people with SS or SSI benifits will have to start filing, because you all either have Medical or Medicare.

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Pluto will always be a planet to me.

Seti Ambassador
Not to late to order an Anni Shirt

Scott, SS benifits are not Earned Income and thus don't qualify for EITC.
I have heard nothing yet, that people with SS or SSI benifits will have to start filing, because you all either have Medical or Medicare.

Because of Obamacare; EVERY citizen MUST file taxes and PROVE they have health insurance; OR, PAY A FINE!... This is the law! Therefore, I MUST file taxes and show my Medicare Insurance as proof of Valid Medical Insurance.

Further, I DO qualify for the EIC. Turbo Tax filing in 2010 states that I qualified because of the part time job that I had for that filing year. Upon filing, Turbo Tax claimed I was due for EIC. The IRS agreed with the filing, and I received my refund of paid in taxes for 2010 plus the EIC. NO CHEATING, just following the law.

Therefore, if I file again, I still qualify for EIC! ...and, because of the law, I will be filing again, this year.

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TimeLord04
Have TARDIS, will travel...
Come along K-9!
Join Calm Chaos

Scott, SS benefits are not Earned Income and thus don't qualify for EITC.
I have heard nothing yet, that people with SS or SSI benefits will have to start filing, because you all either have Medical or Medicare.

SSI benefits are not taxable income Uli, the SSA and IRS have both said so to Me when I asked, SSI is not Social Security, SSI is Supplemental Security Income and has been since 1972 when President Richard M Nixon signed SSI into law as part of the Social Security Act amendment of 1972. I get SSI and have been since 2003, heartless hecklers be damned... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Social_Security_in_the_United_States#1972_Amendments

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The T1 Trust, PRR T1 Class 4-4-4-4 #5550, 1 of America's First HST's

In her last few years, my mother had to file a federal return just so that she could file a state return. That, I think, was necessary to establish her eligibility for a reduced property tax rate.

I'm trying to figure out why I got a 1099-G from the state for a $180 refund. I don't remember getting anything that big.

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David
Sitting on my butt while others boldly go,
Waiting for a message from a small furry creature from Alpha Centauri.

The benefit for me to file taxes is that I will qualify for the Earned Income Credit, and will be due an automatic refund of the EIC amount. [I don't quite understand how this works; when I haven't paid any Federal Taxes into the system drawing on SSDI, but it is lawful, and the last time I did file, (because of a part time job that took out Federal Taxes), I got my normal refund + the EIC.]

It is welfare. If you earn (part time job) some money but not enough, the government gives you more. You won't be eligible unless you have some income to report on line 7, wages, salary, tips ....

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I'm trying to figure out why I got a 1099-G from the state for a $180 refund. I don't remember getting anything that big.

Did you perhaps tell them to keep it as a prepayment on this years taxes?

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He got that, because he got a refund. Regardless if itemizing was used.

@Scott, I should know a bit about the filing requirements as I am a registered Tax Pro in California and New York.
I have done the Familie Tax Returns since 1979. I got challenged a couple of times and won. IRS and CA, plus for my clients since then
Please don't tell me, how to do my job.

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Pluto will always be a planet to me.

Seti Ambassador
Not to late to order an Anni Shirt

He got that, because he got a refund. Regardless if itemizing was used.

@Scott, I should know a bit about the filing requirements as I am a registered Tax Pro in California and New York.
I have done the Familie Tax Returns since 1979. I got challenged a couple of times and won. IRS and CA, plus for my clients since then
Please don't tell me, how to do my job.

I never told you how to do your job; I just told you how, what, and why I filed; and what I got as a refund - unchallenged by the IRS.

I've never had problems with the IRS; always done what needed to be done. Like I said, I worked for part of the year, and was entitled to the refund of taxes and the EIC based on what Turbo Tax claimed I was due for refund.

As Gary pointed out; I got the EIC in addition to my taxes being refunded because I worked a part time job. I think you missed, or keep missing, that I WORKED... Thus, I was entitled to the EIC.

Gary says that I won't be entitled to EIC this filing; because I have NOT worked. So, when I file, I'm sure Turbo Tax will tell me so. Whatever Turbo Tax tells me, I believe. It has NEVER let me down.

I've been filing my own taxes since I was 16 and had my first part time job. My dad taught me how to do them. I find Turbo Tax easier than working calculations on my own.

Only ONCE did IRS try to short change me; and that was my 1991 filing where the IRS MONKEY chose NOT to read in the taxes withheld on my 2nd W-2. He sent me a NASTY GRAM stating I was NOT entitled to refund; but OWED MONEY. I called, got a Supervisor, he read both my W-2's; and I stated to him that because the NAsty Gram ordered me to pay within 10 business days; that I INSISTED my refund be given within 10 business days instead, because I had a car payment due at the time. I had my refund in a week. No word on if the Monkey got fired/sanctioned/reprimanded or whatnot...

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TimeLord04
Have TARDIS, will travel...
Come along K-9!
Join Calm Chaos

I am a registered Tax Pro in California and New York.

Good news, Uli perhaps you may conceder having us as clients
should LSM and make the big move to escape our cold here.
I have no knowledge concerning American tax law.....

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Scott, SS benifits are not Earned Income and thus don't qualify for EITC.
I have heard nothing yet, that people with SS or SSI benifits will have to start filing, because you all either have Medical or Medicare.

Because of Obamacare; EVERY citizen MUST file taxes and PROVE they have health insurance; OR, PAY A FINE!... This is the law! Therefore, I MUST file taxes and show my Medicare Insurance as proof of Valid Medical Insurance.

Further, I DO qualify for the EIC. Turbo Tax filing in 2010 states that I qualified because of the part time job that I had for that filing year. Upon filing, Turbo Tax claimed I was due for EIC. The IRS agreed with the filing, and I received my refund of paid in taxes for 2010 plus the EIC. NO CHEATING, just following the law.

Therefore, if I file again, I still qualify for EIC! ...and, because of the law, I will be filing again, this year.

I will answer this individually. Yes in that tax year, you qualified for EITC, because you had EARNED INCOME.
This year, you do not have to file.
As to TurboTax.........It is what I have used in the past and it is not fool proof and this not a knock off to the current company I work for. I used it before I became employed by my present company.
One year it goofed up my return upon sending, with no way to edit it and trippled my income. Took month to fix it.
So for any DYI tax prep returners in the wild, please use at least two seperate free e-file programs, just as you would on contracting out a job.
Too error is Human, just answer one question wrong and get a better refund then you are entitled too.
Eventually that mistake may end up at my desk and costs you a lot money.
When Gary and I meet up, we occationally talk taxes besides Seti etc pp stuff. He is the champ to go person when it comes to complicated stuff, but I think, I still have the upper hand on the personal return questions.

Sorry about the rant. It is all good. @Celt and others, I have no problems about tax question, but let's sort them out via PM and the price is 0

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Pluto will always be a planet to me.

Seti Ambassador
Not to late to order an Anni Shirt

OK Mods, we got a bit of topic, but please let it stand.
For all of our readers, iF you are on SS benifits or SSI YOU DO NOT NEED TO FILE A TAX RETURN FOR TAX YEAR 2014.

2015 might be different. Just remember, that Congress is in charge of that and they do tend to take their time.


To get back on topic. We just ordered something online and did not resign up for Prime.

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Pluto will always be a planet to me.

Seti Ambassador
Not to late to order an Anni Shirt

When Gary and I meet up, we occationally talk taxes besides Seti etc pp stuff. He is the champ to go person when it comes to complicated stuff, but I think, I still have the upper hand on the personal return questions.

Blush. No, I'm not the go to guy, but I have had to deal with a lot of different types of taxes in the business world, other than personal taxes, 1040. I doubt working where Uli does that her firm does much other than personal tax returns. The business and high income returns tend to be done by staff book keepers like me interfacing with a CPA for the dozen tricky questions; the only 1040 I do is my own. (Reminds me I've got to get the stack of W-2's burst and into envelopes with the rest of the California mandated crap to hand out in the morning.)

I also thank the mods and the OP for the indulgence. Back to topic.

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My boss has a Prime account here at work. Last week she ordered some books. Some of the packages arrived on Sunday. Being a school, we were closed. she had to go through the notification emails for each package and request redelivery so they wouldn't be sent back and have to be reordered.

I'm in the "I can wait for the cheapest delivery" camp. I don't buy a lot from them anyway.

David,

You boss can go to her preferences on delivery on amazon and unclick the deliver on weekend option.

Zalster

Back to topic.

I don't like a messy garage, but I love messy threads!!!

Tangentially related but still off-topic song...

My boss has a Prime account here at work. Last week she ordered some books. Some of the packages arrived on Sunday. Being a school, we were closed. she had to go through the notification emails for each package and request redelivery so they wouldn't be sent back and have to be reordered.

I'm in the "I can wait for the cheapest delivery" camp. I don't buy a lot from them anyway.

David,

You boss can go to her preferences on delivery on amazon and unclick the deliver on weekend option.

Zalster

I'll see if I can tactfully bring that up with her.

The only time I ever paid to have my taxes done was last year. I thought it would be complicated because of all the IRAs and other inheritances from my parents and grandmother that I transferred into my name, plus my half of selling my grandmother's house. Turned out to be rather expensive to have someone who didn't seem any smarter than me punch her computer. I think I'll try Turbo Tax this year.

One year, I misread a blurred W2 and claimed much higher withholding than it really was (300 looked like 800, I think), got a refund on the amount I claimed, then had to pay it back with interest... AND, I figured that just like with the regular tax payment that's due on April 15, getting my repayment in the mail on the due date would be good enough. It wasn't, and I had to pay a penalty and more interest.

When I get my W2 from work, I'll get everything together and investigate that refund from last year, and whether I claimed it on my federal last year.

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David
Sitting on my butt while others boldly go,
Waiting for a message from a small furry creature from Alpha Centauri.