$$$

So I've never gone over the Income Tax threshold before. I know nothing about tax. And I figured that my parents, who have had to deal with it for the past 30 years, would warn me when I'd have to start paying it. I get my group certificate, So they tell me blah blah blah... low income earner... blah blah blah... You'll get the $800 back. 'Yay' said little old me, and I proceded to dip into my car fund to purchase a new stereo. (Panasonic 5 disc Micro system... so pretty.
Unfortunatly now the website is telling me that I have to pay tax and I'm realising that I've just spent a stack of money I couldn't actually afford to spend. The website's so damn confusing and I can't tell if I'm eligible for a low income tax offset because if they apply to everyone, why wouldn't they just incorperate them in the tax rates chart?

So I understand the necessity of paying tax. But I'm a full time student, and I owe the government a huge amount of money because OH NO, I actually want a higher education. And sure, I use public services like transport (but bus services have been cut and are becoming less convienient, prompting me to save for a car) and I go to public libraries (Only when ANU library is all out of books because their funding is always being cut. And even when I go elsewhere, local libraries don't have anything academic enough for me to use without being ridiculed by my tutor And I just don't have the time or money to spend days in the national library photocopying stuff i need to quote.)

Sure, things could be worse, and we have social responsibility and I have to pay tax. I just really wanted my $800 back.

I'm feeling fairly relaxed about going back to uni. My second-year fret was unnecessary, my results were better than expected. New classes aren't worrying me. Having to pay for new text books is.
Dammitt I'm cranky tonight.