Happy Columbus Day! It’s a holiday for many across the country. I can think of a bunch of fun ways to spend a day off.
However, if you’re one of those taxpayers who filed an extension waaaay back in April to get a little extra time to file your federal income tax return, you might want to spend the day getting your receipts together. The filing deadline for individuals on a regular extension is Thursday, October 15.
Remember that an extension to file is not the same as an extension to pay. If you owe taxes, you will likely owe a few extra dollars in interest (lucky for you, interest rates are fairly low).
No extensions necessary for President Obama and Vice President Biden. Both have their tax returns for 2008.
Here’s the scoop:
President Obama and his wife reported $2.7 million in 2008, about $1.5 million less than they reported in 2007 (I guess the recession has hit everyone). A majority of their income came from royalties from Obama’s books (note to self: get book deal).
The Obamas reported $172,050 in charitable donations. The largest donations were made to CARE and to the United Negro College Fund.
Their total tax bill? $855,323.
Vice President Biden and his wife reported total income of $269,256 last year (Biden needs to get himself a book deal). Of that, they donated $1,885 to charity and paid $46,952 in federal income tax.
Tax Day is officially over here on the East Coast. And whew, what a day it was. Here’s hoping yours was pleasant!
But just because your returns may (or may not, if you’re like me and you filed extensions) be filed away neatly with Uncle Sam, don’t think that this is the end of tax news here on the blog. Oh no. Not by a mile. There are questions to answer, felonies to report, politicians to chastise. So stick around. I’m just getting warmed up.
I know, I know. Some of you dread this day. Nobody likes to pay taxes. But it’s not all bad news today… In order to take the sting out of the day, many merchants are offering Tax Day deals, freebies and perks. Check out this partial list, as provided by many of my good readers:
Chick-Fil-A: Make a purchase and save your receipt. Bring the receipt back within the next 30 days starting April 16 and you can get the same items free. (Note that the web site has been unavailable for much of the day)
Cinnabon: FREE Bites from 5pm to 8pm at participating US stores.
Maggie Moos: Free single scoop of ice cream.
Marlo Furniture: 15% off plus take a discount equal to your sales tax.
McCormick & Schmick’s: $10.40 dinner special on some items, and several drink specials.
McDonald’s: Some locations offering a second Big Mac or Quarter Pounderc with Cheese for 15 cents with one regular purchase.
Office Depot: free copies, up to 25 single-sided pages, of 2008 tax returns.
Papa John’s: Large cheese pizza on original crust with up to 3 toppings for $10.40 (online only)
PF Changs: 15% discount on your order.
Pizza Hut: $10 PANormous pizza (40% bigger than a large Pizza Hut Pan Pizza), with one topping per side.
Staples: free copies of up to 20 pages of tax-related documents
Taco Del Mar: Free taco (register online for a coupon)!
T.G.I. Friday’s: $5 Bonus Bites cards for purchases (excluding alcohol and tax) beginning at $15 through $25; $10 Bonus Bites cards for purchases over $25 while supplies last at participating restaurants in the U.S.
Walgreens: 15% discount on any orders (including headache and acid reflux remedies). Use the code “Taxed” when you check out (online only).
I can’t personally vouch for each of these offers. For more information and restrictions, click on the links for each vendor.
I’ll be updating the list as I hear more… Please let me know if you see something!
