Andrea Dekker

131 Comments

Our Best Tax Refund Tip

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With just over 3 weeks until the official end of tax season, Dave and I figured it was perfect timing to share one of our best tax refund tips — especially since we were pleasantly surprised with the extra-large refund we received for 2016!

Yippee!! 

You see, for so many years, we’ve had to write a big fat check to the government at the end of every tax season (thanks to my business). We knew it was coming so it was never a huge surprise, but let me tell you —  it is ALWAYS more fun to get a big check at the end of the year than write a big check!

The reason we didn’t have to write a check this year is because a couple years ago, I made the switch from an LLC to an S-corporation, and since then, I have enjoyed a few tax breaks along with paying monthly taxes all year long to avoid huge payments at the end of the year.

And now that we can claim 3 children as “deductions”, we’re actually getting money back!  

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As I was talking with our accountant about what (if any) changes we could make for 2017, he jokingly responded that if we had another baby before December 31, we could capitalize on one more deduction and get an even bigger refund check.

I didn’t say anything at the time… but won’t our accountant be surprised when he meets our newest “deduction” next tax season 🙂

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Comments

  3. Avia says

    Woo Hoo! I’m an accountant and this is exactly how I told my husband we were expecting our second! I can’t wait to watch your family grow.

    Reply

  5. ShellyL says

    Congrats!! So happy for you and your family. When I started reading, Nora was a baby. I’ve enjoyed following your family’s journey. What a great tax tip!! hahahaha However, since baby #3 for me was born when I was 40, hubby says we aren’t having any more. 😉

    Reply

    • Andrea says

      Yeah, I already feel like there is a huge difference between this pregnancy and my other 3… and I was wondering if it’s because I’m over 30 now. I honestly can’t even imagine having babies in my 40’s but I know lots of women who do!

      Reply

  6. Veronica says

    What a great reveal–I really thought this was serious tax advice until the very end of the post! Congratulations!!!

    Reply

  10. Michelle says

    Oh dear Andrea…

    I’m usually all gung-ho to test out your ideas for a simpler life and try many of your suggestions and love your ideas. However, this is one I’ll be passing on.

    When I read the title of today’s post I’m like “oh cool…some good advice on getting more money in our tax refund”. Then I’m like ok…we have a business…we could consider…”What?”

    How cool! I’m so excited for you.

    Thanks for the smile this morning. I needed it after dealing with my three year old grandson’s meltdown and grouchiness this morning before 8 am. 🙂

    Reply

  11. Danielle says

    What a blessing! I had my 4th last summer and they are all close in age like yours and even though it’s crazy, I love it.

    Reply

  12. Mara Yager says

    CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!

    This is such a funny announcement, very Andrea Dekker!!!

    So happy, best wishes and hoping you are feeling awesome!!!

    Reply

  13. Kellie Denton says

    BWAHAHAHAHA! This had me laughing out loud – such an adorable baby announcement! You really had me going … I was completely surprised! Congratulations Dekker family!

    Reply

  15. Laurel says

    Congratulations! We have four and going from three to four is no big deal. Seriously, what’s one more?

    Reply

    • Andrea says

      honestly, I was kind of thinking the same thing… and now the older 3 actually play REALLY nicely together so they sort of entertain each other. I actually took a 30 minute nap today while James was sleeping and Nora and Simon played nicely upstairs. At one point, I heard Nora say, “no Simon, don’t go down there yet, mom is still sleeping” 🙂

      Reply

  17. Caroline says

    Aww, what a clever – and sweet! – way of sharing the news! Congrats to you and Dave!

    Reply

  21. Jenn says

    Well, I would have never seen that coming in a post about taxes but what a fun surprise!!! Congratulations! I so enjoy following along with your sweet family and implement SO MANY of your tips, tricks, and recipes, so from me- thank you so much for keeping this going with now FOUR children 🙂

    Reply

  22. Jennifer R. says

    Congrats!!!! That’s so exciting! I’ve had all three of my kids shortly after yours so I guess that means #4 will probably be in the pipeline before too long lol. Also you actually don’t want a tax return. You want to get as close to zero as possible because if you do get a refund it means you basically loaned that money to the government interest free for a whole year. Even if you just put that money in a savings account it would at least earn interest. Obviously it is still nice to get a check back and not owe! Congrats again!

    Reply

    • Andrea says

      yeah… that’s why I said we were very surprised with our large tax refund (because we usually don’t get a refund or we have to pay). with adding more kids, the refund sort of snuck up on us.
      Also, with running a business, I HAVE to pay in every month otherwise I get a penalty. So it just goes with the territory that I “lend” the government money every month and get some of it back at the end of the year. But yes, I’d rather get it back than have to pay! 🙂

      Reply

      • Jennifer says

        Sorry I see that now. My sleep deprived brain apparently can’t read this morning. That’s definitely an awesome surprise to get a bunch of money back if you weren’t expecting it. So excited for you on the return and baby #4!

        Reply

  28. Amy S says

    Ah, I’ve been wondering if there would be a Baby Dekker #4! Congratulations! I hope that you have been feeling okay ☺️

    Reply

  29. Kari says

    Congratulations! Here I am, a CPA, visiting your site to start my day like I do every day, and surprised by today being a tax post. I’m reading and nodding along at you switching to an S-Corp and then you blew me away! Such a fun announcement.

    Reply

  30. Erin Heckber says

    How exciting! Here is was going to read a tip and I got the best one. Congratulations!

    Reply

  31. Kristin says

    Brilliant! What a creative and wonderful announcement, you totally had me going – thinking what the tip could be!. I’ve got a big smile on my face. Congratulations to you all.

    Reply

  34. Kim says

    That is the best tax tip! Congratulations. But we have learned as our family has grown and our income has grown, you can’t always get the full child tax credit. ☹️️

    Reply

  37. Joy says

    Congratulations!! So happy for you all! Love reading about your family, recipes and all your helpful ideas.

    Reply

    • Tracey says

      …and such a clever announcement! I opened it with a “business” mindset and then got all the warm fuzzies from your happy news!

      Reply

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