GST and me

Well, well, well. I just finished doing my GST.

Here's my list of items necessary for the successful completion of that nasty tax form:

Socks (it's a little chilly in the basement)
An entire kitchen sized table
Coffee (I broke down and made some)
Pen
Paper clips
Stapler
Calculator
Receipts (divided into 5 categories)
Tax file (including pay stubs, trade record sheets, and misc. 'big' receipts)
GST form
Past GST forms, to be sure I'm filling the current form out correctly
Blank paper
Envelopes (for quarterly storage and organization of small receipts)
Hair tie (even short hair -with longish bangs- can get in my way...)
2 remote controls (1 for the stereo, 1 for the satellite)
Phone
Cell phone/pager
Candle (it was on the table, so I decided to light it)

That's about it. Lucky me had the honor of doing my calculations whilst listening to the esteemed George Double Yuh Bush address the nation. I then remember that I had an unfinished episode of 'The Bachelor - Rome' on the DVR. Much more conducive to productive paperwork than the US president. Although listening to him speak reminded my that I am lucky to be Canadian, despite the pesky GST.

It went pretty well. I'm off $26 from the amount of GST paid to me, and the GST I should pay based on my income.

I remember a few months back, I was so happy to do GST, as I was getting a rebate. Ahh, a rebate. Free money from Revenue Canada, (okay not really free, but it feels that way) A GST rebate also translates into 'No Income In the Last Quarter'. That's not good, I digress... No rebate now! I had practically all my closings July-August-September, so therefore I owe the government $976.24. And that amount is after my 'qualifying adjustments' or whatever it's called. I think it's line 5. KT would know...

So anyway, that's my story. Thank God I happen to have exactly $980 in my jewelry box for the express purpose of paying that bill. I was however hoping that I would only owe about $400, leaving me (us) some sweet cash to maybe, uh, actually I didn't have any plans for the left over money. Good thing. I (we)have $4. Maybe I'll get a Dairy Freez burger today before the place closes for the season...