Tax Time

Oh, the most wonderful time of the year!  Tax time.  I do a fairly decent job of keeping track of papers throughout the year so when it is time to gather it all for the tax man, it is not so bad. 
I have been filing taxes since 1986.  My mom did my first few years.  Once we were married, we could take advantage of the free tax service provided by the military.  Later, we lucked into a friend that would do them for us.  I babysat her daughter during tax season and we would trade a few hours for a tax return.  She was great about helping me in those home business years.  After we moved to West Des Moines, I was able to do ours myself with the help of online companies.  But when Danny was working two, three, four and more jobs, it got to be too much for me.  
Our first hired gun turned out to have some ethical issues.  We found that out the year Ashlyn was in Iowa City.  I was trolling the Des Moines Register late one night and came upon the headline that said our tax man was under investigation.  Actually it was his wife, but still.  So we found a new guy.  This is our fourth year at this office and we have not been audited and he has not been in the newspaper.
Our first tax return as a married couple was in 1990.  We earned a whopping $15, 456.00.  I am not even sure how that is possible.  It goes down from there!  I did not work when the kids were little.  The following year, Danny's taxable income was under $9000.  He had housing assistance and combat pay that were not taxed, but still, how in the world did we live?  What amazes me is the we paid $500 a month in rent.  I suppose this is why I am still paying off credit cards from the early '90s!
The year Jacob was born, Danny was earning just $15,000.  Living in military housing overseas, we did not have rent or utilities.  I don't remember ever really struggling for money.  But with three little ones, it had to be tight all the time. 
In 1987, I made $1948.85 at the hardware store.  That was such an awesome job.  I got $5.42 refund that year.  The following year I made an additional grand at the hardware store.  Must have gotten a raise and picked up a few more hours.  In 1989, I am making almost $6000.  I was working two jobs at that point.  Had a wedding to save for!
These early tax returns are just a few pieces of paper, a W-2, maybe a bank statement or two.  Now, I take a folder with me.  There are W-2's, stock stuff, 1099's, B-52s, 10-4 Good Buddy and a bunch of other crap.  Though my stack of papers is nothing compared to what my parents would haul to the tax man.  I don't ever want to be that grown up that a back brace is required to carry the paperwork into the building!
Well, this was unexpected.   My mom filled out my 1987 tax return, I haven't seen her handwriting in a long time.   Who would have thought doing my taxes would make me cry...