So, when you live abroad, taxes are a nightmare. Last year I had some income from the US and most of my income from Spain. Figuring out how much I owe the US government (considering I pay about 25% tax here) is super confusing.
Know what's not confusing?
Paying taxes in Spain.
Here's how it worked: I made an appointment online yesterday and went in to the office (5 minutes from my house) this morning. I got there and took a number. There was one person in front of me, so I waited about 2 minutes. I handed the woman my income statement from my current workplace and from the University here where I taught a master's class, my rent statements from last year, a copy of my residency card, and a copy of my passport. She spent 5 minutes talking to me about my work and how I liked Spain while she plugged numbers into her magic machine. She then announced I was getting a huge refund, which would be deposited in my account by the end of the week. Complete magic!!
The woman there was helpful, patient, and really interesting, and I was in and out of the office in less than 15 minutes. I don't know of a single government office in the US that can manage that. In spite of it's reputation of being inefficient (and the whole socialism business), things get done so easily here, it makes me wish I could take some of this back to the US.
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Running
I've been running now for about 3 weeks.
And I hate it.
And also love it.
I'm pretty terrible at running and have never been an athlete. And I hate it because every time I go, I'm convinced I'm going to die. I'm doing the Couch to 5K program, which consists of running and walking intervals (increasing the amount you run each week). Every running interval, I dread, and think "there's no way I will finish this!"
But here's the thing. I never actually die. And I finish every running interval (and could probably keep going). I don't LIKE the feeling of running and I'm slow as dirt, but I do like feeling smug. And running allows me to feel smug when I'm done. And honestly, smug when I'm running and I pass anyone (even if they're walking). I'm smug when I'm done because I didn't die. And I managed to run.
Hopefully, I can keep this up until I'm able to run a 5K without much problem.
Stay tuned for the story of my tax appointment.
And I hate it.
And also love it.
I'm pretty terrible at running and have never been an athlete. And I hate it because every time I go, I'm convinced I'm going to die. I'm doing the Couch to 5K program, which consists of running and walking intervals (increasing the amount you run each week). Every running interval, I dread, and think "there's no way I will finish this!"
But here's the thing. I never actually die. And I finish every running interval (and could probably keep going). I don't LIKE the feeling of running and I'm slow as dirt, but I do like feeling smug. And running allows me to feel smug when I'm done. And honestly, smug when I'm running and I pass anyone (even if they're walking). I'm smug when I'm done because I didn't die. And I managed to run.
Hopefully, I can keep this up until I'm able to run a 5K without much problem.
Stay tuned for the story of my tax appointment.
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