Yes, I'm On My Way - Surprise Trip 5 Years in the Making! - Non-Trip News 6/5/09

[HeatherBelle614]

Sorry been MIA for a bit, I went to London for Valentines and then down to my parents and they had no internet which was rather frustrating. But I am back now, so what have I missed?

We had a rough weekend, so not much planning. I'm glad you're back, though!!

Ughh, that's rotten about your taxes.

Just wanted to give you a and say hi!

Thank you for the hug!

Yuck, taxes! That's what I have to say. Although, we can be thankful that we aren't in Cali. I heard that they were having to issue IOUs to folks cause they couldn't pay tax returns. Don't know if it's true, but I definitely heard it somewhere.

That's true; we have multiple friends that live in Cali who were given IOUs. It wouldn't matter to us either way though since we're paying in; but, I'm sure it is horrible for those that were counting on it.

Thanks! Please let us know! I would love to see who all is going when we are.

As Debra said below, you'll have to read the exceptions (mainly how long you two lived together last year, and if he relied on his parents for income.) Taxes aren't a cut and dry area of the law; there are so many loop holes everywhere. I deal with corporate law and many tax attorneys; nothing is really exactly by the book, so if you need help, I'd call the IRS with questions. A tax attorney is probably going to over charge you and really only worth going to if you are talking about a good $10k plus issue. But, the IRS will help you with questions, even if you're on hold forever!

I'm not trying to be nosey but I am pretty certain that if your children are married you can no longer claim them as a dependent. There are a few exceptions - like mentally or physically disabled and you are still taking care of your child fulltime. Or if they are 24 years old or younger, still in school, and the parents are still providing full financial support. That just doesn't sound right being able to claim a married son/daughter. I would check with a local accountant to be sure though.
If he is in school and they are providing some financial support, then they may be able to count that money as a gift. Then you would have to inturn claim that as income if it is over a certain amount. Again I would check with a professional.

ETA:
Sorry, couldn't let this rest. Found this on the IRS website:

In general, to be a taxpayer’s qualifying child, a person must satisfy four tests:

Relationship — the taxpayer’s child or stepchild (whether by blood or adoption), foster child, sibling or stepsibling, or a descendant of one of these.
Residence — has the same principal residence as the taxpayer for more than half the tax year. Exceptions apply, in certain cases, for children of divorced or separated parents, kidnapped children, temporary absences, and for children who were born or died during the year.
Age — must be under the age of 19 at the end of the tax year, or under the age of 24 if a full-time student for at least five months of the year, or be permanently and totally disabled at any time during the year.
Support — did not provide more than one-half of his/her own support for the year.​

So I looked quickly at my subscriptions and found three:

This one is in the "Doing a Happy Dance" section: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2000371

This one in the "Countdowns and Live Reports" section: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2051088

And this one also in the "Doing a Happy Dance" section: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2092191

Hope those are useful

Great; I'm going to head over now. Thank you!!

 

[OhioDisneyLover]

Hoi there,

We're good for the 12th at DTD. We'll have to figure out a place and time. We were thinking about desert at T-Rex so that we could check it out. What do you think?

I love DTD so anywhere is good for me. Wherever you and Jenn want to meet up is great.

Sophia

 

[HeatherBelle614]

Hoi there,

We're good for the 12th at DTD. We'll have to figure out a place and time. We were thinking about desert at T-Rex so that we could check it out. What do you think?

I love DTD so anywhere is good for me. Wherever you and Jenn want to meet up is great.

Sophia

Heya!

DTD works for us; let me get our ADR's lined up. That day is my parent's anniversary, so DH and I are both hoping to get in to Le Cellier for a special dinner for them to celebrate.

Would you ladies like to meet earlier or later? I'll work our ADR time around that!

Or, we aren't actually leaving until sometime later on the 13th. Maybe we could do a breakfast, brunch, or lunch that day?? We could easily meet you all at CS. (I think you are both staying there, right?) Before your families head to the parks. Or, if you all are up for leaving the parks, we could do lunch at T-Rex right before we leave? I think it'll probably depend on park hours and what your families both have in mind for that day, but my family are all early birds. If you'd like us to head over to CS for breakfast, we could do that!

I'm going to tell Jenn to hop over here, too.

And, to add more to the mix, there's another DISer that is checking in to AKL on the 12th (Synndy - who is also surprising her breast cancer survivor momma). It could be fun to do a breakfast at one of the MK resorts - O'Hanas or Chef Mickey's on the 13th?? Or, if everyone wants to meet later at DTD on the 12th after my gang finishes up at Le Cellier, that works for me! Please throw in ideas; I can't wait to hear 'em!

 

[OhioDisneyLover]

Heya!

DTD works for us; let me get our ADR's lined up. That day is my parent's anniversary, so DH and I are both hoping to get in to Le Cellier for a special dinner for them to celebrate.

Would you ladies like to meet earlier or later? I'll work our ADR time around that!

Or, we aren't actually leaving until sometime later on the 13th. Maybe we could do a breakfast, brunch, or lunch that day?? We could easily meet you all at CS. (I think you are both staying there, right?) Before your families head to the parks. Or, if you all are up for leaving the parks, we could do lunch at T-Rex right before we leave? I think it'll probably depend on park hours and what your families both have in mind for that day, but my family are all early birds. If you'd like us to head over to CS for breakfast, we could do that!

I'm going to tell Jenn to hop over here, too.

And, to add more to the mix, there's another DISer that is checking in to AKL on the 12th (Synndy - who is also surprising her breast cancer survivor momma). It could be fun to do a breakfast at one of the MK resorts - O'Hanas or Chef Mickey's on the 13th?? Or, if everyone wants to meet later at DTD on the 12th after my gang finishes up at Le Cellier, that works for me! Please throw in ideas; I can't wait to hear 'em!

Oohh, more possible DISer meets! Yay!

My PTR and Jenn's both have our schedules so far if you want to check them out. I think we both updated them. DH are good for whatever on the 12th. It is our day of arrival and we will be there by 10 I think. Jenn's got the two little ones, who are so darn stinkin cute that you just can't stand it, so whatever works for her and for you is fine with us.

The 13th Joe and I are doing an early ADT at CP so that we can get relatively empty MK pictures. Yeah, good luck with that eh? I can't recall off the top of my head what Jenn is doing that day so I hope she chimes in here. I'm game though to change this day if everyone thinks that this will work better.

We stayed at AKL last year. Loved it! The walk to our room though was a something else!

 

[HeatherBelle614]

Oohh, more possible DISer meets! Yay!

My PTR and Jenn's both have our schedules so far if you want to check them out. I think we both updated them. DH are good for whatever on the 12th. It is our day of arrival and we will be there by 10 I think. Jenn's got the two little ones, who are so darn stinkin cute that you just can't stand it, so whatever works for her and for you is fine with us.

The 13th Joe and I are doing an early ADT at CP so that we can get relatively empty MK pictures. Yeah, good luck with that eh? I can't recall off the top of my head what Jenn is doing that day so I hope she chimes in here. I'm game though to change this day if everyone thinks that this will work better.

We stayed at AKL last year. Loved it! The walk to our room though was a something else!

We won't have any park tickets left on the 13th, but if everyone is up to something early that morning before you all head to the parks, I'll save a TS credit for that morning - I've heard of other DIS'ers that met at O'Hana and had a great time! Or, Chef Mickey's is always a blast!

It looks like I'll be the first one that can make ADRs, and I don't mind booking something for that day if everyone wants to meet that morning!

Or, I don't mind working on getting an early dinner at Le Cellier to do a later meet at DTD on the 12th. We want to check out T-Rex, too. Since we'll have just eaten, we'll be those annoying people that order drinks. Maybe an extra dessert or app, too? You can never eat too much at WDW. (Oh, am I going to have to hit the gym when we get home!)

Let me know what everyone thinks!

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

enjoying your report so far, if you still need some character pictures to cheer you up, here is my little one meeting pooh for the first time.

and tiger.

i have a whole report full of that little man, who helps briten alot of peoples days, feel free to stop by.



very happy to hear that the trip is still one, and cant wait to see all the things you have planned for it.


your mom sounds like an awesome person alont with the rest of your family.

and you and your DH for doing this for them is awesome.

 

[debraW76]

I'm so jealous that I am not a part of your dismeet. Anyone want to come back in June for another meet??

 

[WDWRocksMySocks]

I'm jealous too! Your DISmeet sounds like a blast!!

 

[ariel2007]

We had a rough weekend, so not much planning. I'm glad you're back, though!!

Ah sorry to hear that, I hope your having a better time now. And yes I'm glad to be back, I hated not having the net so I could get on here and chat with everyone. Your Dis meet sounds fun, bet you can't wait

 

[Dr_Finkelstein]

Hi Heather!

Just subbing just now - popped over from OhioDisneyLovers TR!

Will catch up soon!

Di x

 

[stacikristine]

I'm not trying to be nosey but I am pretty certain that if your children are married you can no longer claim them as a dependent. There are a few exceptions - like mentally or physically disabled and you are still taking care of your child fulltime. Or if they are 24 years old or younger, still in school, and the parents are still providing full financial support. That just doesn't sound right being able to claim a married son/daughter. I would check with a local accountant to be sure though.
If he is in school and they are providing some financial support, then they may be able to count that money as a gift. Then you would have to inturn claim that as income if it is over a certain amount. Again I would check with a professional.

ETA:
Sorry, couldn't let this rest. Found this on the IRS website:

In general, to be a taxpayer’s qualifying child, a person must satisfy four tests:

Relationship — the taxpayer’s child or stepchild (whether by blood or adoption), foster child, sibling or stepsibling, or a descendant of one of these.
Residence — has the same principal residence as the taxpayer for more than half the tax year. Exceptions apply, in certain cases, for children of divorced or separated parents, kidnapped children, temporary absences, and for children who were born or died during the year.
Age — must be under the age of 19 at the end of the tax year, or under the age of 24 if a full-time student for at least five months of the year, or be permanently and totally disabled at any time during the year.
Support — did not provide more than one-half of his/her own support for the year.​

You're not being nosey at all! Thanks for the help! My husband called the IRS a couple of weeks ago, and sadly they can claim him if they want. But the IRS man said he wouldn't if we were him (I think he thought WE we the ones wanting THEM to claim him!). Even though they don't really qualify fully, they could push it and say they do...

Relationship: He's their child
Residence: this one is kinda fishy because he never lived with them. He was at school and then he moved to OK in May. But he still had stuff mailed there...so they could say they were his permanent residence.
Age: he was a full-time student until December
Support: again, fishy. They still paid his car and health insurance, so they could say they provided half of his support...even though he/we paid so much more than they did. But they could push it.

We didn't get married til December, so we weren't even married a full month. So even though his dad was refusing to pay for things all year, they could still "SAY" that they were supporting him. But it's going to be really bad for us if they try to claim him. We'll probably all get audited.

 

[Dr_Finkelstein]

Hi Heather,

All caught up now! What a lovely thing to do for your parents! When do you plan on telling them? Take a photo, I'd love to see their faces!!!

Your wedding photos look lovely, and so do all your honeymoon photos!

Your plans all look like their coming together, do you have any other ADRs booked yet?

The Dole Whip is fantastic! I like the vanilla swirl with pineapple juice! The fudge from the Fudgery on Main St is delish!!! Columbia Harbour House is also good for C/S.

On the taxes!! I'm so glad our taxes come straight off our salaries every month - I failed my maths spectacularly at school so would never be able to cope with all that!!

Can't wait to read more!!!

Di x

 

[trinaweena]

hi heather, just found your trip report! Sorry things are going so rough but i'm sure things will get better!

 

[Synndy]

Hey Heather!

I just got caught up! I've been working 2 jobs & things have been crazy! Good kinda crazy but still crazy!

I would LOVE to meet up!!!

My vote goes for Chef Mickey's! I think it would be a great way for my group to start our week & yours to end

But I'm up for whatever!

We stayed at AKL last year. Loved it! The walk to our room though was a something else!

Don't tell me that about the walk!!! Thats my biggest fear. We're staying in the new Kidani Villages (which I'm wicked excited about)

I requested a room close to the bus points because my Dad does have some issues walking. He would greatly benefit from a wheelchair but I'm pretty sure the only way we'd get his stubborn behind into one is before rigamortis sets in.

I'm so excited to meet some other DisBoarders! Everyone here has been amazing. And there's no better people in the world than Disney lovers! Especially the lovely Heather & her survivor

Keep me updated!

 

[OhioDisneyLover]

Hey Heather!

I just got caught up! I've been working 2 jobs & things have been crazy! Good kinda crazy but still crazy!

I would LOVE to meet up!!!

My vote goes for Chef Mickey's! I think it would be a great way for my group to start our week & yours to end

But I'm up for whatever!



Don't tell me that about the walk!!! Thats my biggest fear. We're staying in the new Kidani Villages (which I'm wicked excited about)

I requested a room close to the bus points because my Dad does have some issues walking. He would greatly benefit from a wheelchair but I'm pretty sure the only way we'd get his stubborn behind into one is before rigamortis sets in.

I'm so excited to meet some other DisBoarders! Everyone here has been amazing. And there's no better people in the world than Disney lovers! Especially the lovely Heather & her survivor

Keep me updated!

Sorry to scare you about the walk. Didn't mean to do that. Just wanted to share our experience. You are going to LOVE AKL. OMG, it is one of our favorites! I love everything about it.....especially the fact that I could go to the Mara and get zebra domes whenever I wanted!

We have stayed at AKL three times so far. We've had a savanna view and each time though the walk has been ridiculous. My DH is 60% disabled according to the US Navy and spends most of his days in pain but refuses to get a scooter, etc. so by the end of the day he is a a HUGE amount of pain. He's a trooper but the one thing he said was no more AKL...he said that is just way too much for him. I am hoping to change his mind one day.

Since you already requested a room close the bus points you should be fine! Just call there a couple of days before and confirm. While they won't guarantee it, they seem to be pretty good about stuff like that from our experience.

Can't wait to meet everyone!!!!!

 

[HeatherBelle614]

enjoying your report so far, if you still need some character pictures to cheer you up, here is my little one meeting pooh for the first time.

i have a whole report full of that little man, who helps briten alot of peoples days, feel free to stop by.



very happy to hear that the trip is still one, and cant wait to see all the things you have planned for it.


your mom sounds like an awesome person alont with the rest of your family.

and you and your DH for doing this for them is awesome.

Precious little boy!! I love seeing pictures like that. How can you have a bad day seeing such an innocent, happy picture first thing in the morning!!

Thank you for joining in!

I'm jealous too! Your DISmeet sounds like a blast!!

Then, this is just another reason to come back in September. See; problem solved?

No wonder I'm going to law school; I can fix things pretty easily.

I wish you were going the same time that we are though!!!

Ah sorry to hear that, I hope your having a better time now. And yes I'm glad to be back, I hated not having the net so I could get on here and chat with everyone. Your Dis meet sounds fun, bet you can't wait

I'm glad you're back, too! DH already makes fun of me for talking about my DIS friends quite often. He's got months more to listen to it, too!

You're not being nosey at all! Thanks for the help! My husband called the IRS a couple of weeks ago, and sadly they can claim him if they want. But the IRS man said he wouldn't if we were him (I think he thought WE we the ones wanting THEM to claim him!). Even though they don't really qualify fully, they could push it and say they do...

Relationship: He's their child
Residence: this one is kinda fishy because he never lived with them. He was at school and then he moved to OK in May. But he still had stuff mailed there...so they could say they were his permanent residence.
Age: he was a full-time student until December
Support: again, fishy. They still paid his car and health insurance, so they could say they provided half of his support...even though he/we paid so much more than they did. But they could push it.

We didn't get married til December, so we weren't even married a full month. So even though his dad was refusing to pay for things all year, they could still "SAY" that they were supporting him. But it's going to be really bad for us if they try to claim him. We'll probably all get audited.

I can definitely see where they can claim him; and, like I said, it's really up to the IRS - which, it's difficult to understand how the decide tax disputes as so many like cases have different outcomes. I'd call the IRS still and talk to them; of, if the amount in debate is rather large, your case would be worth speaking to an attorney about. You'll have to come up with a lot of documentation to prove what you described above, though.

I'm sorry they're doing that to both of you though. There are some people out there that just make you wonder what happened to the other pieces of their hearts over the years to make them so inconsiderate.

Next year, you won't have to deal with it though. That's what I keep telling myself about my situation, anyway. Get through it this year, and you'll be done with it.

Hi Heather,

All caught up now! What a lovely thing to do for your parents! When do you plan on telling them? Take a photo, I'd love to see their faces!!!

Your wedding photos look lovely, and so do all your honeymoon photos!

Your plans all look like their coming together, do you have any other ADRs booked yet?

The Dole Whip is fantastic! I like the vanilla swirl with pineapple juice! The fudge from the Fudgery on Main St is delish!!! Columbia Harbour House is also good for C/S.

On the taxes!! I'm so glad our taxes come straight off our salaries every month - I failed my maths spectacularly at school so would never be able to cope with all that!!

Can't wait to read more!!!

Di x

Thank you for joining in!! How is YOUR Heather Belle?? Wonderful, I hope!

I WISH I had my ADRs booked. Our 90 day window isn't until the beginning of June, though. I miss the 180 day windows to book!! This 90 day thing with ADRs and park hours is driving me nuts!

I am so set on trying a Dole whip! Every time I've walked by there, I always saw a line but didn't know what it was for until I joined DIS.

Yeah; I hate math. It makes me want to hit my head against the wall; that's why I ended up with a major that really only required statistics. And, unless there's a deep, dark secret lurking behind law school doors, I don't think I'll have to deal with any of it there, either. Well, hopefully not!

hi heather, just found your trip report! Sorry things are going so rough but i'm sure things will get better!

Thank you for joining in!!

I've learned quickly that there will always be cruddy situations thrown your way, but you have to find something to look forward to and you'll be fine! Now, I figure every time something happens now, it'll just make us look forward to WDW even more!

Hey Heather!

I just got caught up! I've been working 2 jobs & things have been crazy! Good kinda crazy but still crazy!

I would LOVE to meet up!!!

My vote goes for Chef Mickey's! I think it would be a great way for my group to start our week & yours to end

But I'm up for whatever!



Don't tell me that about the walk!!! Thats my biggest fear. We're staying in the new Kidani Villages (which I'm wicked excited about)

I requested a room close to the bus points because my Dad does have some issues walking. He would greatly benefit from a wheelchair but I'm pretty sure the only way we'd get his stubborn behind into one is before rigamortis sets in.

I'm so excited to meet some other DisBoarders! Everyone here has been amazing. And there's no better people in the world than Disney lovers! Especially the lovely Heather & her survivor

Keep me updated!

I think CM sounds fab; JENN and SOPHIA - any opinions on that one??

I'm sure you all will end up with a great room! I'd call again and tell them why you requested a close spot to the bus stops. They are normally so wonderful working with you on things like that!

I just realized I didn't put room requests with our ressie yet. D'oh! I need to head over to the POP forum and see what people suggest; then, call WDW again. Hopefully, they don't get tired of me. Haha.

Sorry to scare you about the walk. Didn't mean to do that. Just wanted to share our experience. You are going to LOVE AKL. OMG, it is one of our favorites! I love everything about it.....especially the fact that I could go to the Mara and get zebra domes whenever I wanted!

We have stayed at AKL three times so far. We've had a savanna view and each time though the walk has been ridiculous. My DH is 60% disabled according to the US Navy and spends most of his days in pain but refuses to get a scooter, etc. so by the end of the day he is a a HUGE amount of pain. He's a trooper but the one thing he said was no more AKL...he said that is just way too much for him. I am hoping to change his mind one day.

Since you already requested a room close the bus points you should be fine! Just call there a couple of days before and confirm. While they won't guarantee it, they seem to be pretty good about stuff like that from our experience.

Can't wait to meet everyone!!!!!

Guys are too tough to admit when they're in pain, most of the time anyway. I'm sorry your DH has to go through that every day! I can understand why he wouldn't want to deal with the walk at AKL so soon, but hopefully he'll change his mind one day!

DH is the same way; he won't ever admit how much something is bothering me. Unless, of course, he gets sick. That seems to be a trend with most guys I know. Drop a few bricks on a foot, they're fine. Have the sniffles and you'd think they're going to die.

What are your thoughts on Chef Mickey's on the 13th? I do think it'd be a great way for you all to start your vacays and for ours to end. Or, we can still work out something for Saturday night. Let me know what you think, please!

 

[HeatherBelle614]

Hey everyone!

I just wanted to tell you all that I'll update tomorrow!

This was a LONG week; I missed Monday to deal with signing a new apartment lease, so I worked from 7:30am to 5:30pm (with no lunch break) the other 4 days to save my PTO.

Today, my mom is coming over to pick out wedding pictures she wants printed, then she's taking me shoe shopping. She decided I need new sneakers; little does she know she's buying my shoes for WDW!

I have so much stuff around our apartment for WDW planning, so I have to hide it all before she gets here!

Then, I'm having a late dinner/meeting with a friend of mine and her younger sister. The younger sister has decided to get married, graduate college, and look for a job all this summer. So, since I've been doing some wedding coordinating on the side as a fun hobby, they've called me in to help. I think it's going to end up being my friend and me who plans most of the wedding as the sister is living in Austin (going to school full time) and the wedding will be in the Dallas area in less than 6 months!

Oh well; I love a challenge!!

Hope everyone has a great Saturday!!

 

[jewels1916]

Good morning, Heather!!

 

[tinkgurl]

Today, my mom is coming over to pick out wedding pictures she wants printed, then she's taking me shoe shopping. She decided I need new sneakers; little does she know she's buying my shoes for WDW!

Haha...so sneaky!

 

[HeatherBelle614]

Good morning, Heather!!

Morning!!

Haha...so sneaky!

I know; it's going to drive me nuts to keep that to myself today, too!