They Sure Don't Make It Easy

I am referring to the process of amending a tax return.  I have ALWAYS done my own taxes since the time I was 17 and had my first job.  My dad worked as a volunteer tax preparer while he was getting his accounting degree.  He always offered to do my taxes for me, but I always declined.  I didn't want him to know how much money I made because he might wonder what the hell I did with it all and that's my business!

So I need to amend my 2009 tax return in order to claim my First-Time Homebuyer's Tax Credit.  Some folks just wait and put it on their 2010 taxes, but I need the money sooner for this furniture I have bought.  After searching the web and various tax publications, I found that I still wasn't sure how to proceed.  I did everything as well as I could and even contemplated hiring a tax preparer to do it for me.  That must be how they make their money, people who are insecure about doing things correctly.  I read that 1.5 million people hire tax preparers to do their 1040EZ forms, which only have 12 lines to fill in. 

I called the IRS.  After holding for about 10 minutes, I got to speak to a live human who answered all of my questions for free!  It turns out I was doing everything right.  I just wanted to make sure I had included all of the corresponding documentation.  

So I mail the papers off tomorrow and wait.  Since the IRS is going to be flooded with amendments like mine (the deadline was June 30), I will have to wait 12-14 weeks to get the money.  Things may be a little lean around here while I am waiting, but once it is all taken care of the memory of the lean times will fade...  

Not regretting this for a second!  I LOVE my new home and hope to spend a lot more of the tax credit on it once I get it!