Aren't taxes just the best? They're even more the bestest when you get to file them in two different states.

Most of the fun comes from TurboTax, the software you purchase thinking it will make things easier. They will give you the great privilege of a second state's tax returns for a mere $35. In other words, the price of the whole program all over again.

Then there is the issue that Joe and I are both trying to use the same copy. This is supposed to be legal and everything - I even looked through that agreement that no one ever reads when they install something, and it said you can install it on more than one computer in the same household. BUT the problem with purchasing a second state for us is that you need to download another file. Again, this isn't even a legal problem - they even let you download more than one copy. But it turns out we need each need a different file - Joe for his Mac, and me for my... other thing that dare not speak its name in the presence of a Mac owner. So Joe has bought his, but I'm still waiting to figure out if I need to buy yet one more state.

In the meantime, I have filled out my "partial year resident" Wisconsin form. Apparently, moving out of Wisconsin gives Wisconsin the right to interrogate you.

-Did you buy a house in your new state? Why not?: so exactly how are they going to use my reason for renting in New York to figure out my Wisconsin taxes?

-List the dates you have visited Wisconsin since establishing residency in another state: ummm, I really thought these United States in which I reside allow me to travel in between them without official documentation. Sorry, I didn't keep those dates in my tax records.

-When you left Wisconsin, did you establish residency in another state?: And exactly what are my options here if I say no? a) I fell off the face of the earth b) I decided to forego the traditional restrictions imposed by society's definition of "residency" and "shelter" and am now proud to call myself a hobo c) I shuffled off this mortal coil but, when I heard that I had the chance to file a tax return, I decided it was a great opportunity to return from the dead d) okay, I guess there's that actual possibility that I moved to another country

-Then you get to finish up with just the usual Wisconsin questions. Tell me about your dairy farm, give money to the Packers, etc, etc.

And while I was sharing my life story with the Wisconsin IRS, Joe went ahead and paid for his New York Mac download. And after a whole different interrogation, TurboTax was able to determine the exciting news that New York owes him... four dollars! That's right, the state of New York is going to buy him a gallon of gas! So, let's see, out of Joe, the government of New York, and TurboTax, who is getting the better end of this deal?
- posted by Darcey @ 11:13 AM