yeah, i payed over $25000 in taxes last year. I don't know how it is on the states but in Canada out tax returns are due April 30th. Deadline to buy RRSPs is February 28th.
My company doesn't match RRSP contributions so there isn't much point in me contributing monthly so I buy lump sums as well I'll be contributing my maximum of $5500 to my tax free savings account. I also donate money throughout the year and I'm getting all my tax receipts back right now. I also went to school twice this year for a total of 4 months,which will qualify me as a full time student.
So far since becoming a journeyman electrician and since the beginning of this tax year (January 1) I've already payed 4000 in taxes. I'm in the 29% braket so I do everything I can to get as much back as I can on my tax return.