April 8, 2004

Street Talk by Shari Kaplan

If you’ve already filed your income taxes, when did you do so, what method did you use, and what do you think of the tax rates overall? (Asked at Almaden Oaks shopping center)

“I have an accountant prepare everything because we have some complicated partnerships that are too much to do myself. I have to file four times a year. Everything is classified as ‘unearned income.’ Aside from that, I’m retired. I think the tax rates are far too complicated. I also think a lower tax, in the long run, would bring in more income for the government, because it would get more business activity going.”

Dick Herbert, 77
Almaden Valley
Retired contractor

“I haven’t filed yet. I’m not getting a refund; I have to pay. Writing a check is writing a check, so why do it before you have to? I use Turbo Tax to do my taxes online. It’s easy, and it’s one less program to fill up my computer. I just wish the State Franchise Tax Board made things more simple. If there are a lot of adjustments to be made, it’s a pain.”

Linda Baker, 42
Almaden Valley
Realtor

“We already filed. We’ve gotten out taxes done by an accountant for three years. We kind of gave up on doing it ourselves, with having a rental [property] and having stocks. If we hadn’t used an accountant, we probably would have lost out on a lot of write-offs. We’re happy this year because we ended up in a different bracket, so our tax rates got lower.”

Lisa Wagner, 30
Almaden Valley
Homemaker


“Our taxes are done, but we have to pick them up. We try to get as early an appointment with our accountant as we can. It’s usually in February. This is the first time in eight years we didn’t do it early. We’re always happy with our refund, but I wonder why it’s bigger now than when I was single and needed a refund more, but didn’t get much back. Now we have money, a house, and all these things, yet we get a big refund. Something’s not right!”

Lynn Bumstead, 47
Almaden Valley
College admissions counselor

“I get my taxes done pretty much right after I get all the forms. I don’t think it’s good to wait until the last minute to get it done. My wife does my taxes for me. She does it all by hand; she’s really good at that stuff. I think the taxes in California are really high. My mother-in-law lives in Seattle and she doesn’t want to move down here and pay the high taxes.”

Jaime Anguiano, 34
Los Banos
Supermarket meatcutter

“I filed in February or March, so I already got my refund back. I used H & R Block; I’ve used them for many years. I like to file as soon as I get all of my paperwork. I’m very organized for my accountant. I’m retired. I’m OK with the current tax rates. Why complain, as long as they don’t charge me too much?”

Venus Phillips, 78
Almaden Valley
Retired school secretary