Taxes and other unexpected bills

I've written before about how every month there seems to be another "unexpected bill." Some large amount that's not budgeted for, but it seems to pop up every month.

In January, that was our gas bill - over $800! Luckily split between three people that was only $200-something.

This month it was taxes. This weekend I had some free time, so I decided to sit down and file my taxes so I could get my refund check quicker. I was a little apprehensive since I worked as a "contractor" this summer, which means that nothing was withheld, plus it is subject to self-employment tax. I was hoping that my withholding from the other jobs I held throughout the year would be enough to keep me safe from payments.

Not the case. Before my self-employed income of $6500, I was getting a refund of $1,500. After I entered my self employed income, I owed $500 to the federal government and $300 to the state.

I just had to console myself with the fact that at least I didn't give the government an interest free loan all year, right? Plus I got full use of what is probably the highest student loan interest deduction I'll have for awhile, thanks to my parents paying off $10,000 towards my undergrad loan this summer, which included a big chunk of interest.

Has anyone else filed their taxes yet?

Related posts:

1. Investment Income and Taxes