Wow! It's tax time and the wife is PO'ed!
- Thread starter Big Boomer
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Notch
Member
I am not assuming that your wife is a daily makeup wearer. But makeup is very expensive. My last relationship involved a "too young for me" thing that HATED my firearm expenditures. Well one day I sat down and put together a (lowballed) aproximation of her yearly makeup and "accessorie" expenditure (read: purses). When I placed this in front of her she cooled her jets. That is not even bringing up the fact that a fiream last, relatively speaking, FOREVER. Nothing the ladies buy does that. The closest they can come to that is diamonds, and we buy those for them anyway... Well not me, supporting the DeBeers (read: Nazis) is worse than buying a new ruger.
arflattop
Member
Several years ago I had to sell my firearms, reloading equipment, etc., to "fund" a nasty divorce (I know, few of them aren't nasty). My current wife knows of my love for firearms and motorcycles, and has been encouraging me to get back into them. I told her several times not to open that door. I finally "relented" and bought a Ruger Mini-14 for pest control around the farm (yes, deductable). To make a long story short, I kicked that door wide open last year -- and I've already spent my annual budget for 2008. Fortunately my wife is tolerant of my hobbies, and supports "our" RKBA. I'm sure she cringes when I suggest we visit the local gun shop, but I've never had to be secretive about the purchases. As someone else said in this thread, we wanted to be well positioned for the potential of an anti-gun government in the near future, and the prices aren't coming down regardless.
Big Boomer
Member
Well, I got back from the tax man, and after a long weekend of hosting a Saturday night BBQ/Party and Super Bowl party on Sunday, I've finally gotten back on here and can answer some questions.
1. Our accounts are separate, we split the bills based on percentage income so that we both have the same amount of "flex" money.
2. She knew about ALL of the gun purchases and what they cost, just not about all the ammo, holsters, dies, parts, grips, mags, stocks, bayonets, gas masks (not gun related) and other stuff. Seems like every other week I got to Sportsman's warehouse and drop $150 on reloading supplies!
3. Reasoning for adding up all the stuff was because in Texas you can write off your sales tax. I was unsure what I would be able to directly write off or not so I had to add up totals and the tax separate. I then talked to the tax man to find out what items could be deducted directly under non reimbursable business expense.
4. Although the total was $7000 in gun related, it would not all be deductible because it did not directly relate to the business. So I wrote off my new carry pistol (1500) and my carry equipment, ie, belt, mags, holsters. Although this far exceeded 500 we capped it at 2000 because of percentage. It was listed under "security expenses". This is justified because I travel for work, I have a CHL, I frequent all areas including bad ones for my job. Although my job does not require me to carry a firearm, it is considered a business necessity, just like the aircard for wireless internet on my laptop. They do not provide it and will not reimburse for one. Is it needed? Hell yes it is, but is it required? No. I write that off too.
5. Having a home office allows me to write off many things that the rest of you would have no way of justifying. I can write off safes, security cameras, computers, cameras, almost anything office, or electronic related. In addition meals and entertainment. including dinner and drinks, range time is not completely out of the question, if I golfed I could do that too.
6. I wrote off 41% of my income last year. It can be done. No I didn't get audited.
7. Before I have to don the fireproof suit before getting flamed my accountant has for lack of better words a doctorates in accounting, is federally licensed by the IRS, and is in the top 1% of accountants in this class that just so happens to be in the top 1% of accountants nationwide. He's a friend of my wife's father that has been friends for over 50 years, he's a retired surgeon and a full bird. He does not take new clients, but as a family "favor" I was able to get on board, in addition he's been doing my wifes taxes since she started. I do what he says, a plus is that he's also a CHL, I show him my new toys everytime I go in! He enjoys class 3 although doesn't own any.
8. The wife is just mad because she sees the total. Now if I were totaling her trips to sushi, and pedicures, and massages, and other stuff I am sure that it would come close. She's on board with the gun thing, just doesn't want to own one herself, nor get her CHL...yet. I am still working on that one. She says I carry enough for the both of us!
I guess I can stop numbering the paragraphs now! I do agree that it was rather excessive as other things are needed in the house, and wanted for that matter, new bed, new TV, back patio, landscaping, upcoming vehicle repairs and there is always new furniture. I just felt that I needed to have a "me" year. All of you guys I am sure know what that feels like. You work hard and decide that you need a bit of pampering yourselves. Ok, fine, let's call it spoiling ourselves. So last year was good, hope this year is better, but looks like only a few more guns will be added to the collection this year. I think the next in the line up will be a Marlin SS 45/70 and some dies. Then perhaps either an M1A or an AR15 in some caliber most likely .308 but you never know I might do a big bore exotic. I'll have to save up a bit for that one.
So everything is good, just the "totaled" sticker shock. To be honest with you I had NO idea it was that much! I thought it was like MAYBE 4k total, at the VERY most. BOY howdy was I wrong. Not that I regret it for a moment mind you and have a few new friends at home, but in lieu of some ammo purchases I could have saved my money and bought another gun or three...
Well, that should sum it up! Anyone else get yelled at this year by their significant others?
1. Our accounts are separate, we split the bills based on percentage income so that we both have the same amount of "flex" money.
2. She knew about ALL of the gun purchases and what they cost, just not about all the ammo, holsters, dies, parts, grips, mags, stocks, bayonets, gas masks (not gun related) and other stuff. Seems like every other week I got to Sportsman's warehouse and drop $150 on reloading supplies!
3. Reasoning for adding up all the stuff was because in Texas you can write off your sales tax. I was unsure what I would be able to directly write off or not so I had to add up totals and the tax separate. I then talked to the tax man to find out what items could be deducted directly under non reimbursable business expense.
4. Although the total was $7000 in gun related, it would not all be deductible because it did not directly relate to the business. So I wrote off my new carry pistol (1500) and my carry equipment, ie, belt, mags, holsters. Although this far exceeded 500 we capped it at 2000 because of percentage. It was listed under "security expenses". This is justified because I travel for work, I have a CHL, I frequent all areas including bad ones for my job. Although my job does not require me to carry a firearm, it is considered a business necessity, just like the aircard for wireless internet on my laptop. They do not provide it and will not reimburse for one. Is it needed? Hell yes it is, but is it required? No. I write that off too.
5. Having a home office allows me to write off many things that the rest of you would have no way of justifying. I can write off safes, security cameras, computers, cameras, almost anything office, or electronic related. In addition meals and entertainment. including dinner and drinks, range time is not completely out of the question, if I golfed I could do that too.
6. I wrote off 41% of my income last year. It can be done. No I didn't get audited.
7. Before I have to don the fireproof suit before getting flamed my accountant has for lack of better words a doctorates in accounting, is federally licensed by the IRS, and is in the top 1% of accountants in this class that just so happens to be in the top 1% of accountants nationwide. He's a friend of my wife's father that has been friends for over 50 years, he's a retired surgeon and a full bird. He does not take new clients, but as a family "favor" I was able to get on board, in addition he's been doing my wifes taxes since she started. I do what he says, a plus is that he's also a CHL, I show him my new toys everytime I go in! He enjoys class 3 although doesn't own any.
8. The wife is just mad because she sees the total. Now if I were totaling her trips to sushi, and pedicures, and massages, and other stuff I am sure that it would come close. She's on board with the gun thing, just doesn't want to own one herself, nor get her CHL...yet. I am still working on that one. She says I carry enough for the both of us!
I guess I can stop numbering the paragraphs now! I do agree that it was rather excessive as other things are needed in the house, and wanted for that matter, new bed, new TV, back patio, landscaping, upcoming vehicle repairs and there is always new furniture. I just felt that I needed to have a "me" year. All of you guys I am sure know what that feels like. You work hard and decide that you need a bit of pampering yourselves. Ok, fine, let's call it spoiling ourselves. So last year was good, hope this year is better, but looks like only a few more guns will be added to the collection this year. I think the next in the line up will be a Marlin SS 45/70 and some dies. Then perhaps either an M1A or an AR15 in some caliber most likely .308 but you never know I might do a big bore exotic. I'll have to save up a bit for that one.
So everything is good, just the "totaled" sticker shock. To be honest with you I had NO idea it was that much! I thought it was like MAYBE 4k total, at the VERY most. BOY howdy was I wrong. Not that I regret it for a moment mind you and have a few new friends at home, but in lieu of some ammo purchases I could have saved my money and bought another gun or three...
Well, that should sum it up! Anyone else get yelled at this year by their significant others?
BlazingAngel01
Member
I'm looking at over $4000 thanks to my job.
A conversation which got me in hot water with my wife.
She tracks our income and expenditures using a computer program, Quicken. Quicken can generate all sorts of charts and graphs to let us know where our money is going.
My Wife: "You know, we spend as much on ammo as we do on food."
Me: "I know that's a lot of money, but hey, we have to eat..."
I know I was in trouble as the words were coming out of my mouth, but I couldn't stop.
She tracks our income and expenditures using a computer program, Quicken. Quicken can generate all sorts of charts and graphs to let us know where our money is going.
My Wife: "You know, we spend as much on ammo as we do on food."
Me: "I know that's a lot of money, but hey, we have to eat..."
I know I was in trouble as the words were coming out of my mouth, but I couldn't stop.
K3
Member
Yes, because I still haven't bought her the .45 she's been eyeballing for over a year. No excuse really. I just haven't.
XDKingslayer
member
And the purses. Don't forget the purses.
My wife complained when I bought my last gun so I went into her closet and pulled out 3 Dooney and Burke purses that are collecting dust.
I ran some Quicken reports and found I had spent over $20,000 on firearms and firearms accessories in '06. I cut back to $10,000 last year, and I am trying to cut back further. I thank god I don't have any other expensive hobbies as mentioned above 
I did enjoy spending that money, no regrets, I am single, but I would have to re-think that if I was married.
I did enjoy spending that money, no regrets, I am single, but I would have to re-think that if I was married.
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possum
Member
buy her a vera bradley handbag, and some chocolate covered strawberries, and all will be well!
Or anything else you do frequently.
It's the cumulative total that is startling, whether it's the trips you make for fast food (try keeping those records for a month, multiply by 12, and then pick your jaw up off the floor), Starbucks, movies, whatever. We think in terms of those little amounts, and just don't think about what it adds up to annually.
Myself, I just take the percentage deduction allowed, rather than actually total up everything. It saves my blood pressure.
Springmom
MD_Willington
Member
First thing my wife asked me when we did the taxes, should I put aside any of the return for guns if they get the AFL thing fixed this year...
She knows what I like, and I know what she likes...
I get parts and ammo, she's getting a spiral perm and coloring at the salon.. and maybe a .22LR
She knows what I like, and I know what she likes...
I get parts and ammo, she's getting a spiral perm and coloring at the salon.. and maybe a .22LR
We don't do joint expenses, except for mutually-agreed-on projects. Other than that, she's more "into" managing bills and money than I am. Ergo, every payday I write her a check for my half. We also keep track, and stay even on groceries. Other than that, my money is mine and hers is hers. We split tax refunds based on how much each one made and paid last year.
Dr. Peter Venkman
Member
If you are bringing home Kimbers and Colt's instead of Milk, there is a problem. Until then, who cares?
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