Oh, that sucks. I could've used a $7500 return when I bought my house.

 

Each year I estimate what my taxes for the year will be and set my withholding accordingly.

I try to get it as close to zero as possible. It is more difficult now that I am married and my wife gets bonuses, but usually I will find I owe/am owed less than $200.

 

Did you buy a house in 2008? If so, you can file for the tax credit this yr.

 

^ No, 2005. I still would've liked to get a $7500 rebate/refund.

 

Right now that 7,500 tax credit as really just an interest free loan. You do nothing for about 2 years, then start repaying it 1/15th per year for 15 years, without interest.
Obama has said that he wants to eliminate the repayment part, but who knows if that will take place. If you die, repayment goes away.
The effective dates are from April 8, 2008 to June 30, 2009. (close of escrow)
And you can get the credit even if you owned a home before, as long as ownership was not in the 3 years prior to the new purchase. Finally there is a phase-out if your income is 75-95,000 single, or 150-170,000 married.

 

Still waiting....

 

My wife and I got back around $1000 last year, but may have to pay as much as $1300 this year... wtf??

 

I have absolutely no idea what I'll be getting back this year.
Last year was something like $5k I believe, but I'm not expecting that much this year.

 

I did some rough numbers through my tax software and it looks like I'll come in somewhere around $3500. We'll see if I can track down any more receipts that will bump it up. I'd like to break $4k.

 

Jesus Christ, what are you doing to get all that money back if I might ask?