Tax Season As Told By 'New Girl'

We have hit mid-March and we are officially a month away from Tax Day. For most of us, these next 30 days are going to be filled with the stress of trying to navigate our taxes (some of us for the first time). But we've all been there, so here is a little bit of what you can expect while filing your taxes, as tolld by the characters of New Girl.

No matter what time of day it is, you should pour yourself a drink. You will definitely need it.

[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2017%2F03%2F11%2F636248499446750754-2106023026_anigif_enhanced-4035-1404414200-2.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=698&h=e0bc861594aa1f195240c805bfaa63031156be28c93b080c0550657cdd7b5235&size=980x&c=1018547151 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2017%252F03%252F11%252F636248499446750754-2106023026_anigif_enhanced-4035-1404414200-2.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D698%26h%3De0bc861594aa1f195240c805bfaa63031156be28c93b080c0550657cdd7b5235%26size%3D980x%26c%3D1018547151%22%7D" expand=1]

Next you can gather all of your W-2’s into a pile. You can also grab all of those papers that say the word "tax" on them, even though you have no idea what they mean.

[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2017%2F03%2F11%2F636248515617667107-1478931016_13633768.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=711&h=d28afa0aa369047563b666009dcd8bb9acd7ce88e31899889803d07c06cf4aab&size=980x&c=451783046 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2017%252F03%252F11%252F636248515617667107-1478931016_13633768.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D711%26h%3Dd28afa0aa369047563b666009dcd8bb9acd7ce88e31899889803d07c06cf4aab%26size%3D980x%26c%3D451783046%22%7D" expand=1]

You may get sad when you look at those W-2s and realize how much money you could have been making if it weren't for taxes.

[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2017%2F03%2F11%2F6362485148467799162041530376_LGFyWFz.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=133&h=0aad2687d5da391702833a25324dd159c0240cc058b56d54d508c7c52c63d2e8&size=980x&c=317623695 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2017%252F03%252F11%252F6362485148467799162041530376_LGFyWFz.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D133%26h%3D0aad2687d5da391702833a25324dd159c0240cc058b56d54d508c7c52c63d2e8%26size%3D980x%26c%3D317623695%22%7D" expand=1]

Once you get yourself together, you can sign up on your free tax program of choice. Here are some common ones if you haven’t even thought about that (TurboTax, CreditKarma, H&R Block, FreeTaxUSA):

[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2017%2F03%2F11%2F636248502916772396-184035551_giphy.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=721&h=4792d26383d083074686a51d8c9140825cf873074b11f5dbb1d5e36271b0ca7e&size=980x&c=502028147 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2017%252F03%252F11%252F636248502916772396-184035551_giphy.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D721%26h%3D4792d26383d083074686a51d8c9140825cf873074b11f5dbb1d5e36271b0ca7e%26size%3D980x%26c%3D502028147%22%7D" expand=1]

They will no doubt try and make you pay extra money for benefits that you don’t need, and you may not be able to figure out how to bypass those options at first. It's a good time for a break.

[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2017%2F03%2F11%2F636248503666765190-1480818092_Writing3.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=769&h=5b15701aba039e7132924539a79cb7db1ae3292fbc156bdd11c20595d191aa8b&size=980x&c=1758615338 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2017%252F03%252F11%252F636248503666765190-1480818092_Writing3.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D769%26h%3D5b15701aba039e7132924539a79cb7db1ae3292fbc156bdd11c20595d191aa8b%26size%3D980x%26c%3D1758615338%22%7D" expand=1]

You return to start inputting your basic information. You will probably feel a little better about this part since you should know all of the answers.

[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2017%2F03%2F11%2F636248505252513863-1019021795_giphy%2520%281%29.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=792&h=1b5ccd76f0d06ae3350f2a32915437470005efc020d02459c541034e57130522&size=980x&c=2378048727 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2017%252F03%252F11%252F636248505252513863-1019021795_giphy%252520%25281%2529.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D792%26h%3D1b5ccd76f0d06ae3350f2a32915437470005efc020d02459c541034e57130522%26size%3D980x%26c%3D2378048727%22%7D" expand=1]

You may cry tears of joy when the system says it can automatically gather your W-2 information. Relish it while it lasts.

[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2017%2F03%2F11%2F636248520260733287-744753361_giphy%2520%285%29.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=22&h=b33e43ccf0c3fc7cc90b72575fe8de30ec2d1d4835f5a26da46ea406b8acff5a&size=980x&c=1733926592 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2017%252F03%252F11%252F636248520260733287-744753361_giphy%252520%25285%2529.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D22%26h%3Db33e43ccf0c3fc7cc90b72575fe8de30ec2d1d4835f5a26da46ea406b8acff5a%26size%3D980x%26c%3D1733926592%22%7D" expand=1]

You will start to sit up a little straighter as things seem to be going better and better, and that number on the side of your screen is growing and growing.

[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2017%2F03%2F11%2F6362485066441887701262269385_1x08-gifs-new-girl-27595885-500-247.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=351&h=ce0dc599eeb810b7b21191498622b7928049348a851f94a15aa6753fff6c3707&size=980x&c=443154497 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2017%252F03%252F11%252F6362485066441887701262269385_1x08-gifs-new-girl-27595885-500-247.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D351%26h%3Dce0dc599eeb810b7b21191498622b7928049348a851f94a15aa6753fff6c3707%26size%3D980x%26c%3D443154497%22%7D" expand=1]

But you will nevertheless reach the hard questions, and you will have no idea if you qualify for any of the listed tax credits.

[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2017%2F03%2F11%2F6362485071731402571559914109_raw.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=572&h=d487e5281772f0bc3853b28b29f2ebd7fd9309ef5687c94faa1e13f0c5baaca7&size=980x&c=936876793 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2017%252F03%252F11%252F6362485071731402571559914109_raw.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D572%26h%3Dd487e5281772f0bc3853b28b29f2ebd7fd9309ef5687c94faa1e13f0c5baaca7%26size%3D980x%26c%3D936876793%22%7D" expand=1]

It might be time for a snack to get you through the rest of the process.

[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2017%2F03%2F11%2F6362485074103621021906267350_giphy%2520%284%29.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=625&h=78f3b6aa54ba36a2af922b8683b834175d39e663f829dbb895ee2630c7087387&size=980x&c=5008573 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2017%252F03%252F11%252F6362485074103621021906267350_giphy%252520%25284%2529.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D625%26h%3D78f3b6aa54ba36a2af922b8683b834175d39e663f829dbb895ee2630c7087387%26size%3D980x%26c%3D5008573%22%7D" expand=1]

You will no doubt call your parents for emotional support, and to answer those questions you do not know.

[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2017%2F03%2F11%2F636248508019295349410200874_giphy%2520%283%29.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=768&h=3dd07fed8cad0c55a7f4fe2bb8293020a82224ac739dd0913eec25bcc2196088&size=980x&c=100912542 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2017%252F03%252F11%252F636248508019295349410200874_giphy%252520%25283%2529.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D768%26h%3D3dd07fed8cad0c55a7f4fe2bb8293020a82224ac739dd0913eec25bcc2196088%26size%3D980x%26c%3D100912542%22%7D" expand=1]

But that money on the side will start to look more and more promising, and you start to realize how much you can buy with that money.

[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2017%2F03%2F11%2F636248518735817736948567879_a13cf480-948f-0133-b2e5-0e438b3b98d1.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=338&h=3eb3f53992140237f653a6f3a073c863219141e6c5b3051918dd29aa230969dc&size=980x&c=2326432840 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2017%252F03%252F11%252F636248518735817736948567879_a13cf480-948f-0133-b2e5-0e438b3b98d1.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D338%26h%3D3eb3f53992140237f653a6f3a073c863219141e6c5b3051918dd29aa230969dc%26size%3D980x%26c%3D2326432840%22%7D" expand=1]

Then you click one button and your refund amount goes down. You will never know why.

[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2017%2F03%2F11%2F6362485191208511061942371803_635916007924394232852170016_giphy.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=237&h=879933a49b0301c0469b76cd3c289f6b456f12eb2a06d6e0114d18da86d6993a&size=980x&c=1326748453 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2017%252F03%252F11%252F6362485191208511061942371803_635916007924394232852170016_giphy.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D237%26h%3D879933a49b0301c0469b76cd3c289f6b456f12eb2a06d6e0114d18da86d6993a%26size%3D980x%26c%3D1326748453%22%7D" expand=1]

Regardless you push through to the last little section, where you review your return. The relief starts to fill your body, because you are just about done.

[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2017%2F03%2F11%2F636248510193288974-1765890050_6360074780739408041049205909_1.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=800&h=7ffb1e6013a9165cada283e1e56482d7a7775c136437c9b53d15d2903792976f&size=980x&c=3760776655 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2017%252F03%252F11%252F636248510193288974-1765890050_6360074780739408041049205909_1.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D800%26h%3D7ffb1e6013a9165cada283e1e56482d7a7775c136437c9b53d15d2903792976f%26size%3D980x%26c%3D3760776655%22%7D" expand=1]

You submit the form, but now have to wait patiently for your taxes to be approved and for the money to show up. But you can keep drinking at this point if you wanted to.

[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2017%2F03%2F11%2F636248527312371288-407379025_tumblr_nm4nlxUTec1skocj6o1_500.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=439&h=59579b977f22ab2fcdaed92bfcc7a15b1abc3f72b1b30e5e600bfd9910f67bf0&size=980x&c=1839634110 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2017%252F03%252F11%252F636248527312371288-407379025_tumblr_nm4nlxUTec1skocj6o1_500.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D439%26h%3D59579b977f22ab2fcdaed92bfcc7a15b1abc3f72b1b30e5e600bfd9910f67bf0%26size%3D980x%26c%3D1839634110%22%7D" expand=1]

Regardless of how emotional the process was, you did it! You finished your taxes, and you should be proud of that.

[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2017%2F03%2F11%2F6362485137507709411433303648_tumblr_inline_mk14cng0W31qz4rgp.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=344&h=1802376647310d961f61ac15d243d152e4a174925b456fc433fac32bd79b2c0b&size=980x&c=2553802707 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2017%252F03%252F11%252F6362485137507709411433303648_tumblr_inline_mk14cng0W31qz4rgp.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D344%26h%3D1802376647310d961f61ac15d243d152e4a174925b456fc433fac32bd79b2c0b%26size%3D980x%26c%3D2553802707%22%7D" expand=1]