tax timeWell, the tax bite isn’t as bad as I was led to believe when I groped my way through an initial cut at it last month. It turns out that we had enough withholding and deductions to come close to breaking even.

I try and plan things to break even and, up to the prior tax year, it generally worked out that I would owe the Feds and State a small amount. That’s the way I like it, not having to depend on a refund, especially from the Peoples Republik of Kalifornistan, who have trouble paying in actual money. They issue a ‘voucher’ in lieu of a check or credit - Monopoly money any way you look at it.

Things are different this time around since my status transitioned from employed to retired. I had no clear idea how things would work out. It turns out that I owe the usual small amount to the Fed but, unfortunately, the State is going to owe me some chump change.

If I do get a voucher, I believe that my credit union is buying them from members only at face value. They can better afford to deal with any delays that Brokefornia might have in making good on their IOUs.