Discussion » Questions » Finance » What sticks out in your mind about the first year you filed personal income taxes?

What sticks out in your mind about the first year you filed personal income taxes?

 

  I was 19 or 20 years old and serving in the Marine Corps. Being single with no children, my filing was quick and easy, one page if I remember right. I cannot remember if I owed money or received a refund.

  I know, I know: move along, folks, not much to see here, just go about your business, that’s it, please move along. 

~

Posted - October 1, 2021

Responses


  • 13395
    I actually remember doing my income tax for the first time. Was simple enough anyway, I got 'er done and sent away. Seems to me that I was due for a small refund.
      October 1, 2021 8:57 AM MDT
    3

  • 13277
    It was in the early 1980s, years before efile became a thing.
      October 1, 2021 9:04 AM MDT
    4

  • I filed my first income tax return in 1972.  My father helped me with the completion of the tax return as it was a bit complicated for me.  
      October 1, 2021 9:08 AM MDT
    3

  • 34452
    I was 17. Just a simple form.  I got a small refund.  But not worth paying to e-file.  
      October 1, 2021 9:26 AM MDT
    3

  • 19937
    E-filing is free.
      October 1, 2021 9:39 AM MDT
    2

  • 34452
    Now. It was not always. 
      October 1, 2021 9:56 AM MDT
    2

  • 19937
    I used to be able to do short-form 1040s, but when IRAs were instituted, the returns became more complicated.
      October 1, 2021 9:40 AM MDT
    2

  • 44652
    i don't remember.
      October 1, 2021 10:23 AM MDT
    2

  • I believe I was 20 as well, I remember my dad helping me with it and being surprised at how easy it was. It's still fairly easy for me, though I'm sure it will get more complicated as I get older. 
      October 1, 2021 10:29 AM MDT
    2

  • 53526

     

    “ . . . though I'm sure it will get more complicated as I get older.”

      And richer.


      ~

      October 1, 2021 11:17 AM MDT
    2

  • 17620
    I was married for a long time and never even saw a tax return.  The first year I paid an accountant to do it and then I asked him 1,000 questions when he brought it back to me.  I wasn't about to pay someone to do it beyond that one time.  I realized it was easy and have had no problem doing it myself since, other than two years where I had a bunch of funky and new stuff to deal with.  That year was worth the few dollars she charged me.    And I do my tax with pen and paper.  I have used Turbo Tax but  I have found errors in the software (state return).  If the IRS wants to talk to me about a return I know exactly how each entry was calculated and sourced.   When you use software you don't.  I tried to talk to my brother about something last year but he used software and couldn't discuss the why or how his return read as it did.  Back when I used Turbo Tax the Deluxe version was about $10. 
      October 1, 2021 3:10 PM MDT
    2