Feeling Alone And Stressed - Ch. 7 Filed But Still Buried In Back Taxes!
Hi gang. I am new to your forum. I am 34 yrs old, divorced, self-employed for 7 years, driven and independent. I've been working on my BK since October of last year. Finally got filed this month. Meeting is 7/23.
Mine was a three year spiral into debt since being diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. I am a one-person cleaning business so this was a major hit to my income. On top of that, I had a series of events that just cut my legs down til I hit rock bottom.
Before that, there was the divorce, selling my half of my precious first house to my ex. Then, having my paid-off trusty Toyota from college smashed to smithereens by kids joyriding in a stolen care, (where it was parked in front of a clients house in a nice development, no less!).
Then there was the Fibromyalgia. After I moved into my current house, a tiny manufactured home in a land-lease park (cheaper than an apartment, btw), I got some sort of flu that never went away! After months of tests and many many sick days, I was diagnosed with this dumbass illness that no one believes, has no real visible symptoms, and has no cure or even a reliable treatment (don't believe those tv ads, I swear).
After going back and forth with my work schedule while feeling more tired and pained than I, my friends, and family, could understand, I ended up no longer being able to make enough money to pay down my credit card debts from the divorce, new car expenses, vet expenses from my beloved 15-yr-old cat slowly dying from cancer, and my own mounting medical bill copays. I also couldn't pay my ongoing estimated income taxes and land taxes.
My method of dealing with unexpected expenses had been to work more hours, or pick up a part time job. I always had good credit because of this. In times when that wasn't enough, I could cut my budget down to nothing and go without for long periods of time. This time the Fibro stopped me cold.
After many months and many tears I reset my life according to my new physical limitations. I have cut back on everything and filed for Ch. 7 to relieve my CC $20K debt. Alone, that would have been difficult to pay on my new income, but combined with over $15K in taxes it was impossible. I now make $28K a year, down from $53K.
So as much as the bankruptcy is helping, it is not much relief for me. I am still in serious trouble because of my taxes.
I have worked my budget down to the bone so many times, there is little left to squeeze without selling my car or dropping internet or phone, which are already at the cheapest plans. These things are needed for my business. I have long since denied myself any money for clothes or going out anymore. I don't even keep groceries in the house anymore, aside from milk and cereal and the few needed items, like soap and TP.
I am having a meltdown weekend. I knew it was coming but held off trying to once again come up with a solution for my backtaxes so I could breathe. Then the not-knowing freaked me out, so here I am, well aware of how much I owe and continue to owe, and still without a viable solution. I feel strangled even with my CC debt out of the picture. How can I fix this? How come I can get my debt discharged but not my taxes?
(I live alone, in a tiny house. When I am not working, I am home all day, resting, or sleeping many hours. I have chronic full body aches, pains, and fatigue, like arthritis and the flu. A quiet, peaceful, safe living area is required. If I give up this up, I give up everything I work for.)
I had an excellent credit score my whole life. Was always a budgeter, and well disciplined. I'm living on practically nothing and still feel like I can't make it work. It makes going to work miserable, and I love my job! I love my clients! But I work so hard and it feels like it's all for nothing, and it makes it hard to overcome the fatigue and pain every day to go back. I need the motivation of knowing I have a plan and can see the light, and it's been three years of trying everything possible and still not making it work!
The hardest part of everything: I cannot physically work more hours than I already do, and I make good money for the few hours I work so I don't even see how I could transition to a non-physical job that gives the same flexibility and sense of fulfillment, and yet pays more. I work three 6-8 hour days a week, and can move folks around as needed. For this I am grossing $28K. (About $25/hr before taxes.)
Sometimes I feel I can get myself through this. And sometimes, like now, it feels impossible. I am cut down to nothing, financially, physically, and emotionally. There is nothing left.
Mine was a three year spiral into debt since being diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. I am a one-person cleaning business so this was a major hit to my income. On top of that, I had a series of events that just cut my legs down til I hit rock bottom.
Before that, there was the divorce, selling my half of my precious first house to my ex. Then, having my paid-off trusty Toyota from college smashed to smithereens by kids joyriding in a stolen care, (where it was parked in front of a clients house in a nice development, no less!).
Then there was the Fibromyalgia. After I moved into my current house, a tiny manufactured home in a land-lease park (cheaper than an apartment, btw), I got some sort of flu that never went away! After months of tests and many many sick days, I was diagnosed with this dumbass illness that no one believes, has no real visible symptoms, and has no cure or even a reliable treatment (don't believe those tv ads, I swear).
After going back and forth with my work schedule while feeling more tired and pained than I, my friends, and family, could understand, I ended up no longer being able to make enough money to pay down my credit card debts from the divorce, new car expenses, vet expenses from my beloved 15-yr-old cat slowly dying from cancer, and my own mounting medical bill copays. I also couldn't pay my ongoing estimated income taxes and land taxes.
My method of dealing with unexpected expenses had been to work more hours, or pick up a part time job. I always had good credit because of this. In times when that wasn't enough, I could cut my budget down to nothing and go without for long periods of time. This time the Fibro stopped me cold.
After many months and many tears I reset my life according to my new physical limitations. I have cut back on everything and filed for Ch. 7 to relieve my CC $20K debt. Alone, that would have been difficult to pay on my new income, but combined with over $15K in taxes it was impossible. I now make $28K a year, down from $53K.
So as much as the bankruptcy is helping, it is not much relief for me. I am still in serious trouble because of my taxes.
I have worked my budget down to the bone so many times, there is little left to squeeze without selling my car or dropping internet or phone, which are already at the cheapest plans. These things are needed for my business. I have long since denied myself any money for clothes or going out anymore. I don't even keep groceries in the house anymore, aside from milk and cereal and the few needed items, like soap and TP.
I am having a meltdown weekend. I knew it was coming but held off trying to once again come up with a solution for my backtaxes so I could breathe. Then the not-knowing freaked me out, so here I am, well aware of how much I owe and continue to owe, and still without a viable solution. I feel strangled even with my CC debt out of the picture. How can I fix this? How come I can get my debt discharged but not my taxes?
(I live alone, in a tiny house. When I am not working, I am home all day, resting, or sleeping many hours. I have chronic full body aches, pains, and fatigue, like arthritis and the flu. A quiet, peaceful, safe living area is required. If I give up this up, I give up everything I work for.)
I had an excellent credit score my whole life. Was always a budgeter, and well disciplined. I'm living on practically nothing and still feel like I can't make it work. It makes going to work miserable, and I love my job! I love my clients! But I work so hard and it feels like it's all for nothing, and it makes it hard to overcome the fatigue and pain every day to go back. I need the motivation of knowing I have a plan and can see the light, and it's been three years of trying everything possible and still not making it work!
The hardest part of everything: I cannot physically work more hours than I already do, and I make good money for the few hours I work so I don't even see how I could transition to a non-physical job that gives the same flexibility and sense of fulfillment, and yet pays more. I work three 6-8 hour days a week, and can move folks around as needed. For this I am grossing $28K. (About $25/hr before taxes.)
Sometimes I feel I can get myself through this. And sometimes, like now, it feels impossible. I am cut down to nothing, financially, physically, and emotionally. There is nothing left.
You absolutely need to take care of yourself in terms of getting enough rest and having peace in your life.
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