Robert Ebsen

I just finished doing my taxes online for the first time.  It was really a lot of fun.  The only problem is that my refund will not be nearly as large as I had hoped for.

So what am I going to do now about next year’s taxes?

Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

I am confident that our tax return will be much greater next year, since my wife has retired, her pay is somewhat less, no more end-of-the-year bonuses, and I have changed my withholdings. Yes. I want Uncle Sam to hold my money. It’s the easiest way for us to save.

Now it’s time to dream about what we will do with next year’s h-u-g-e (Say that again, Donald) tax return.

Let’s see. How about a big trip?  How about a new above-ground pool? How about paying off those lingering bills? Can you guess which one already has been decided in heaven? That’s right. The bills. Which is fine. It means there will be more money to spend on other things.

Our main source of bills, and our only charge card, is our airline travel card, which is almost at maximum. We have decided to put that card aside for some months while we whittle down our balance.

Hey, wait a minute! If the balance is paid off on our charge card, what are we going to do with all the money from next year’s tax refund?

I suppose we could pay extra money to the mortgage company, the gas company, the electric company, the TV cable company, the cell phone company, the car insurance company, and the car leasing company. That way, we might be without bills for a few months!

Hmm. I think I’ll take a nap.

I hope I don’t dream about my former tax man informing me that he could have gotten me a much bigger refund this year.

Mr. Ebsen may be contacted at robertebsen@hotmail.com