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Official declaration: I am a fucking moron.

Last year, I acted stupid (as suual) and didn't invest enough money into some tax saving instruments.

I also picked the wrong taxation method and ended up paying more than double taxes.

Thankfully my country has an option where you can claim a refund by filing a return form.

And so I go ahead and I hire a finance guy who can help me do my taxes.

We sit at the table and do the math. It turns out my savings mindset prevented me from not investing enough and now it is difficult to claim the tax as refund.

I legit had no issues in investing more. Rather I was looking for ways to do so but I didn't. If I had done it, I'd would be paying zero taxes as my earnings would fall below a certain threshold.

Only trick is to evade by unethical means. Should I be the Jeff Bezos of my country and save my hard earned money from going to corrupt politicians?

Either way, I am a moron. Fucking hate my stupid decision.

Comments
  • 1
    Same here, I missed out on quite a bit of tax savings because I left everything until the last minute and when I finally lodged a simple piece of document it was a day too late. I never learn..
  • 3
    At least you realize it.

    In Germany there are organizations to help employees with their taxes (Lohnsteuerhilfe)…

    You usually pay a yearly fee based on an percentage of your regular income, they do your tax.

    As I *hate* bureaucracy (lots of bad stuff happened, e.g. thx to health issues) I let these guys do the task.

    Whenever this discussion comes up with friends, I'm the idiot. Cuz ""there are free tools and paying for this isn't right""".

    *rolls eyes*

    In my opinion, let professionals do their job - I'm really happy I don't need to waste a day organizing and filing taxes ....
  • 2
    @IntrusionCM so many things on this...

    1. Yes, trust professionals and let me do their job.

    2. This will also help them earn money and put food on the table for their families

    3. Save yourself a lot of time (after initial trust is built)

    4. Focus on your competencies and grow in those area with the time saved

    My life rule is: delegate all that I can so that I can focus on my area of expertise and become an USP to earn more.

    Money can buy you time, never forget that.
  • 1
    @IntrusionCM yes, we too have to pay a small fee but not a percentage. There are folks who help you evade and charge a percentage of total that they helped you save.
  • 4
    It's kind of good to know other countries have ridiculously complex tax systems as well.

    I was paying tax from last year in installments, due to covid-19. Despite the tax office agreeing this payment plan in writing, ever month I would get a snotty letter from them saying I owed the full amount. I called the tax office and was told to just ignore the increasingly threatening letters
  • 2
    @nibor lmao what country?
  • 2
    UK, the government have an "office of tax simplification", who have increased the number of tax rules since they were formed
  • 3
    @nibor so the Queen wants more gold plated bathrooms now.. smh!!
  • 1
    @Floydimus yeah. Just to clarify, an example:

    If you earn 45.000 - 50.000 Euro per year, you pay *once* eg. 150 Euro for the whole tax declaration
  • 2
    @IntrusionCM to the agency that is helping you with taxes?

    We have same setup here. Along with agencies with have individuals who do taxation.
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  • 1
    @molaram wait till you get to know the mind fucking Indian tax system.

    We pay following taxes:
    - Income tax
    - Professional tax
    - Minimum 18% Good and Services tax on anything we purchase
    - Municipality tax
    - Housing tax
    - Entertainment tax
    - Toll tax (when travelling across cities)
    - Anything that you can think off, yes we pay it

    At this point, I feel that I am earning for government and not myself.
  • 1
    Official declaration: We're all fucking stupid, no reason to beat yourself over it.
    As a good friend once told me: Don't say sorry, just don't make the same mistake next time.
  • 2
    @SoldierOfCode yes, lesson learned that I should be more serious with planning my finances.
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