I’m guessing most of my beer guzzling friends have already – but just in case – go to www.stopthencbeertax.com and sign the petition to stop North Carolina – already with the 4th highest state beer tax – from raising taxes even higher.

For more info, check out these articles below:

• http://donttaxourbeer.com/pages/beer.html
• http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/n_c_has_fourth_highest_beer_tax
• http://www2.journalnow.com/content/2009/jul/02/012030/new-beer-tax-hard-to-swallow/opinion/
• http://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/stories/2008/05/12/daily6.html?f=et85&ana=du_B

If you’re anything like me (broke, and a severe procrastinator when it comes to taxes) then you might want to check this out. While the “free” edition of online tax programs, like Intuit’s TurboTax and H&R Block’s TaxCut, will let you file your federal taxes for free, they generally charge you anywhere from $20 to $30 to file your state taxes.

Well, I found a well-hidden bit on Intuit’s site – something they’re calling the ‘TurboTax Freedom Edition’. I know, the name made me a little sick too. But, if you’re making under $30,000, qualified for EIC (earned income credit), or where on active duty in 2008 – you should more than likely qualify for free state filing in addition to the free federal. There are a limited number of states participating in the program, but even if your not in one of the listed states, I believe you can still file for a reduced cost of $9.95.

Anyhow – thought I’d pass this info along to all of my broke friends with simple tax needs and similarly severe procrastination issues like myself. I mean, screw a bunch of having to pay to pay my taxes. (if you own a house or business, etc, this obviously isn’t going to work for you)

You qualify for a free state filing, too, if you are filing in a state that sponsors a Free File Program. Free File Program states include: AL, AR, AZ, GA, ID, IA, KY, MA, MI, MN, MO, MS, NY, ND, NC, OK, OR, RI, SC, VT, WV