The Realities of Being a “Full-Time” Writer
It’s almost enough to make me want to go back to work full-time and forget this whole writing gig.
I did my taxes Sunday night.
But let’s go back a little bit, shall we?
Friday night, after spending all week wrapped up in a stressful editing job and not getting much accomplished on my own book—which is now twenty-two days LATE—I decided I needed to treat myself to a night out of the house. Now, you have to understand: with the exception of a quick run to Kroger to get a few necessities on Wednesday, I hadn’t left the house since Sunday. So I was starting to get pretty stir-crazy. I needed to get out. I needed a change of scenery. I needed human interaction. I needed to recharge.
So I got dressed—nice jeans, favorite top, favorite jacket, favorite black boots—and went out and got in the car. I wasn’t sure where I was going—probably down to the mall in Cool Springs, maybe Barnes & Noble, and then somewhere to eat. But as soon as I turned the key, I knew I wasn’t going anywhere. My car started—but it didn’t sound, feel, or smell good. I drove it around the block, and every time I slowed or stopped, it acted like it was going to die. Oh, and the Service Engine Soon light was on.
No getting away from the house for me. Oh, yay.
Saturday morning, I got up early. Went to the Valvoline Instant Oil Change place that’s only about half a mile from my house—and the only service station anywhere nearby that I knew of that would be open on Saturday. They plugged the diagnostic computer into my car. And it came back with eight (count them, eight) malfunctions/errors. None of which they could handle there. No, they didn’t know of any mechanics who were open on Saturday in the immediate vicinity. I was back home again within fifteen minutes of leaving the house.
Stuck. In the house. For the entire weekend.
At least the weather turned out beautiful, and I did get to spend time sitting on the front porch just drinking in the warmth and the sunshine for several hours. Hours in which I should have been writing or working on a freelance project that’s due next week. But I just couldn’t get anything accomplished.
By the time Sunday evening rolled around, I’d gotten a few thousand words written, but couldn’t really concentrate on it, because the question kept running through my mind: do I want to know how much I’m going to owe in taxes before or after I find out how much it’s going to cost to fix the car?
I figured I’d better know what my tax bill would be before finding out how much it was going to cost to fix the car. So after Extreme Home Makeover, I sat down with all of my 1099s, last year’s tax folder, and this year’s expense spreadsheets and started my tax return. (Of course this year, I had to purchase the Home & Business version of Turbo Tax, which is the most expensive, rather than Deluxe which I was able to use for Schedule-C last year.) I had lots of expenses to deduct. I had student-loan interest to deduct. I’d paid just over $2,800 in quarterly estimates in 2009. Surely I wouldn’t owe much more than that, right?
WRONG!
After all deductions, standard and otherwise, as well as the standard exemption, my taxable income was $23,975. With both income tax and self-employment tax, I still owe $5,551 to the IRS. And, based on my 2009 income, my quarterly estimated tax for 2010 is $2,055. So, with more than $7,600 due, I’m really not looking forward to April 15, 2010!
And I still have to get my car fixed.
I know, this is very much of a “bummer” kind of post. But one of my promises to my blog readers is that I’ll never sugar-coat what it’s like to be a full-time writer. Broken-down cars are a reality. Missed deadlines are a reality. Having to spend time working to make money to live on is a reality. Taxes, as we all know too well, are a reality.
Unfortunately for me, they all happened to hit at the same time.
All of that to say . . . if I’m not “around” online much this week, that’s why—because I need to focus on writing, editing, getting my car fixed, and—hopefully, just a little bit—relaxing.
UPDATE: MONDAY, 8:45 A.M.
Well, I’m home from the car place, and it’s not good news. There are tons more problems than I was initially told, including the head gaskets, antifreeze leaking into the fuel, and other things that make it so that the repairs would cost more than the car is worth, so they’re not even going to try to fix it. I don’t know what I’m going to do because, as you can imagine, I can’t afford to buy another car right now. So your prayers are much appreciated.
KayeDacus.com 
Sorry, Kaye. 😦
LikeLike
Gosh that’s horrible! I read ur post to my hubby and he said to get a second opinion. It didn’t sound right to me either. Darn those taxes!(
LikeLike
Self-employment taxes are an additional 15.3% of the Adjusted Gross Income—that’s on top of the income taxes that are what everyone has to pay. Pretty much what I owe is the self-employment tax, because that worked out to just over $5,400.
LikeLike
FWIW, I had to pay self-employment taxes and things because my job has me as an “independent contractor.” I paid out the wazoo for years until a friend who worked for the IRS looked at my return and almost did a spit-take. I’d overpaid by thousands. It might not hurt to have someone else take a peek at it.
LikeLike
That just seems so wrong, Kaye – the whole idea of it, not the actual numbers, unfortunately. I know other self-employed people and people in ministry that go through the same thing every year. Hang in there, and don’t get discouraged.
LikeLike
Yikes. 😦
LikeLike
Hang in there, Kaye. Taxes have a way of poo-pooing on everything! Good luck with the car. I know how lost one can feel without wheels!
LikeLike
There is something wrong with this picture when someone whose taxable income is 23,000 has to pay nearly 25% in taxes! 25%! Kaye, I’m so sorry. That is disgusting, horrible – and while I don’t minimalize the death of the IRS taxman, is it any wonder that someone flew a plane into a building? (No, I don’t think it was right – its very wrong in fact, but I can see how someone who was in pain, desperate, and had no hope would think that was the way out).
I had heard before that the self-employment was basically 25% – but I didn’t really believe it until now. I guess your best move from here on out is to automatically put 25% of all your income into a savings account. That way you can get a little bit of interest off it.
LikeLike
Eek – just read about the car not being fixable – Kaye I’m so sorry about that as well (I read your original post last night but was only able to comment now).
I hope you have city transportation (buses); anyone from your new church live around you?
LikeLike
Oh, Kaye. That’s so unfair.
I’ve heard that a lot of people have been surprised by how much less taxi services/public transport (if you have it) cost than owning a car. Maybe this could work for you in the short-term? Can you bike to the grocery store?
When I haven’t had money for gas, I’ve done it–it’s long, it’s not fun, but there is no feeling like pulling out of the parking lot knowing you’ve gotten food because of the power of your own two legs, nothing else. (Except your money, I guess.)
I think I’ve heard you say you’ve tried to get jobs teaching college composition. You should keep trying! Colleges are all about pressuring their faculty to publish, and you’ve already won that battle. You are qualified. You’d be great.
God WILL provide for you. He’s provided for me this whole year, giving me what I needed when I needed it. Keep doing a great job editing. Keep writing. Keep enjoying your porch.
LikeLike
Bus doesn’t go where I need to go, and taking a cab costs about as much round trip as it would cost me to rent a car for a day. If only any of the car rental places actually had cars available today!
I’ve applied for a car loan from my bank (which I don’t expect to get approved for—my bank is VERY picky), and I’ve already put in a reservation for a rental car for the trip to Arkansas/Louisiana I already had planned starting March 1—to speak at a conference in Shreveport the first weekend in March.
LikeLike
You’ll be in Shreveport that weekend?! What conference is it?
LikeLike
It’s the NoLA Stars (RWA Chapter) conference:
http://www.nolastars.com/node/81
LikeLike
Thanks! It dawned on me to look at your “appearances” – I supposedly have something to go to that day in the opposite direction – but I don’t really want to spend that gas money – but Shreveport I can go to – no problem. The public book signing might be fun 🙂
LikeLike
The tax guru in me is coming out.
Just for those who are jaw dropping thinking of how unfair the 15.3% is…
EVERYONE who works pays 7.65% of their pay through, for non-self-employed people, FICA-6.5% and FHI-1.45% (could be showing as social security/medicare, OASDI, or other definitions on your paystub)
What many don’t realize is that your employer then matches that 7.65% and pays that as well as an employer expense, for a total paid in of 15.3%.
Because Self-employed individuals are, in essense, their own employer, they have to pay both sides of the tax, as the individual and as the employer.
Anyway, yes, it’s a kick in the pants and is annoying to pay, and is something writers should keep an eye on and set aside $$ out of their advances/pay etc.
Praying a ton about your car situation too! How NOT fun! But God knows and I’m believing that he’ll provide beyond your expectations!
LikeLike
Bummer! But seriously consider that second opinion. Been there. It took a third opinion to discover that the real problem and a fix that was 2/3 less than what the other two mechanics, including one dealership, said. Not all mechanics are like wolves watching the sheep play in the pasture until they can snatch one up, but too many see a woman coming. Consider getting a guy to take your car in.
LikeLike
They’re telling me they won’t even work on it because the repairs would cost too much. If they were telling me that they would fix it for $5,000, then I would be concerned.
I’ve used this mechanic before, and have several friends who have gone to this mechanic for more than twenty years. I trust them that they’re telling me the truth.
LikeLike
Praying for God’s provision for you. And for enough peace that you can focus on work!
LikeLike
Praying for you, Kaye.
LikeLike