Q: I use Turbo Tax to file my income tax and this software guides you every step of the way, and when it comes to adding your W-2 for example, the part which is called federal withheld on my w-2 I made $12,227.15 and the withheld is $935.87 but the turbo tax software detects I can make more money than what is stated on my w-2 basically up to $4,133 and I receive that amount from IRS is that wrong in the eye of God being that this software guides you and when I tried to go over the $4,133 it would not let me go pass the $4,133. Does God approve of this or not I hope I explained it as specific as I can!!! I need to know thank you!!!
A: Thank you for your question. God is not against you making as much as you can on your tax return. On the Turbo Tax website it says, "Get your biggest tax refund, guaranteed." The fact that the software you are using says you can make more money is proof that it is working as advertised. Furthermore, it would seem that the software not allowing you to go beyond the $4,133 amount would indicate that the amount it has given you is the maximum allowable by law. This should give you comfort as it pertains to whether or not you are doing anything illegal or sinful in the eyes of God. You should be thankful that the software you purchased is working properly and as advertised. To make you feel more comfortable with your concerns over if what the software is saying is sinful let us see if the Bible has anything to share.
In the book of Acts, there is the account of Priscilla, Aquila and Apollos. Apollos "had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John (Acts 18:25)." We read where Apollos didn't fully understand the whole Gospel, but on the baptism of John. Because of this, Priscilla and Aquila intervened. "When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately (Acts 18:26)." Priscilla and Aquila took their knowledge and gave it to Apollos so he could explain the Gospel more adequately. You may ask what does this have to do with your question about Turbo Tax? I see you as being Apollos and Turbo Tax as being Priscilla and Aquila. You are trying to do your taxes and Turbo Tax is trying to help you do them "more adequately." You are doing the right thing, like Apollos preaching the Gospel, but Turbo Tax is just trying to help get a greater benefit from your effort, like Priscilla and Aquila.
The Bible says that "everything that does not come from faith is sin (Romans 14:23)." If you are uncomfortable accepting what Turbo Tax is saying regarding the $4,133 it says you can receive, then don't do it. The worst case scenario is that you lose out on some money. But, if you feel it is wrong to do it, then I will not be the one to encourage you to do it. Romans 14:5 says, "Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind." If you are not fully convinced that God would approve of you taking an additional tax refund, then be at peace with that decision. What you are deciding to do is for the Lord and He is glorified because of it. You should also be at peace if you decide to take the advice of Turbo Tax as well. Even if taking an increased tax break were a sin, what did God do with that sin? Jesus Christ "is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world (1 John 2:2)." Your sin, my sin and the sin of the entire world was taken away from the eyes of God for eternity when Jesus Christ died on the cross. Therefore, even if you believe taking the tax benefit is a sin, God is not holding it against you.
God has given you the freedom to decide what to do in regards to your tax return. He is already pleased by the fact you are doing your taxes. After all, Jesus said to "render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's; and to God the things that are God's (Matthew 22:21)." You, in many ways, are doing both rendering to Caesar what is Caesar and to God the things that are God's. Please be secure in the knowledge that you are already forgiven of all your sins; past, present and future. Therefore, whatever you decide to do is not going to change who you are in God's eye or how He feels about you. Be prayerful about this situation and trust that He will give you peace about it. Again, thank you for asking this question and I pray that my answer has been of some help to you. Grace and Peace.
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