Taxes Are Trying Enough Without Surprises

So I finished summarizing everything and all that, and got the form 1065 et al done for the feds.  Now for Massachusetts…

I forgot to print the state returns out at the office, and I’ve been doing this at home so I could more easily be sick at the same time.

So I moved on to downloading and reviewing the state forms and setting up a worksheet where I could put the numbers, to be plugged in once I have a printout.

The first thing that hit me on the Form 3 was that partnerships with gross revenue over $50,000 now must file electronically.  Deb got to listen to my opinion of that, and especially of the fact that I couldn’t find further information readily.

The form says see the instructions.  The instructions say see the web site.  The web site says “ha! find me if you can...”

Eventually I found that implementation of the expanded electronic filing rule was delayed, so I can file on paper until April 15.  Yay!  But… this will apparently be an issue next year, and there’s a problem with that.

Lack. Of. Information.

There is no in your face, clear info on HOW to format or create the data to send to them electronically.  Partnership returns are not a part of the online “webfile” utility businesses can register to use.  All I could find easily is a list of software you can buy or preparers you can pay that are authorized to file electronically for you.  I think I might prefer to pay the $100 penalty for failure to file electronically than be forced to use one of those options.

Further, not relevant to me but pretty sneaky, if you file electronically, you are required to pay electronically too.  EFT all the way.  I don’t think so.

My reaction is probably a reflection on why implementation of the expanded requirement was delayed.  People like me immediately said “WTF, over?” when they went to file, perhaps the DOR was unready to handle it and that’s part of the problem, so they aborted their treachery for now.  Obviously I will have to look into it early next year.

Update:

Looking at the Department of Revenue site again, I see a notice that appears to confirm both that electronic filing will require the purchase of software, and that the delay in implementation was the result of feedback.  I shouldn’t have to buy software to make things easier for the state to steal my money.

1. They don’t force it but here in Ohio the made deals with alot of places to get free online software to do the taxes.  I got to use HR Block online free this year to file mine.  Got my refund in 2 weeks too.

   Posted by wayne  on  04/06  at  09:48 PM

2. I guess we’re never moving to MA, then.  My wife won’t even sign up for direct deposit—and she won’t even interview for a job, no matter how good it is, if direct deposit is a requirement.  (Last time she was job-hunting, it was, in several places.) She won’t e-File.  She won’t bank online.  She won’t even put in her credit card number to buy stuff.

   I’ve heard of being careful with your money, but that’s just ridiculous.

   And making you buy software—without giving you a rebate on your taxes for it—is just asinine.

   BTW… there’s a form for the Federal taxes that can be used if you’ve moved more than 50 miles from your old place of work in the course of a year.  We got $2940 off our taxes (not $2940 back… that would be a miracle) because we moved about 500 miles.  Have you and Deb filled out one of these forms?  Or was the move in 2003?

   Posted by Josh Cohen  on  04/07  at  09:41 AM

3. Oh God, the Mass. DOR.  Don’t even get me started: of all the reasons why I must’ve been insane to come back up here from Florida, they’ve got to be near the top of the list.  People compain about the IRS, but most state tax collectors are MUCH worse.

   Posted by  on  04/11  at  11:29 PM

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