<prompt> Human: Before filing my taxes, I had about 9000 of debt. This is from various sources - a credit card debt from when I was out of work and going through a divorce and medical expenses which were not covered by my insurance. I just filed taxes for the first time on my own in about 5 years. Before that, I had been filing with my ex husband. We have a daughter together and because he earns more contributes more to her, he is claiming her on his taxes. As a result, my company didnt withhold enough and I am looking at another 9000 owed to the Federal about 5500 and California about 3500 government. Ive been told that the tax penalty is 0.5 per month for this amount.I make about 70,000year in California and my credit score is low. I have about 2500 in my bank account. What would be the best way to get out of debt over the next year?  <response>: First things first: fix your withholdings so you arent stuck with a giant tax bill next year too.Next, contact someone at the IRS to figure out a payment plan for your Federal taxes. Same thing with state taxes. If you havent set up a payment plan yet for your medical bills yet then do that too.Once youve got a payment plan in place for all of your debts then its just a matter of paying the minimums and throwing whatever extra money you have at the loan with the highest interest rate.You might want to put part of that 2500 towards one of your loans right now, but keep some aroundmaybe 1000? so that you dont have to go back into more debt for relatively minor emergencies.The average indebted American has 15k in credit card debts. I say this not so that you think that having 18k in debts is OK, but so that you understand that you are actually in a better situation than many other people. So dont get too discouraged. Focus on paying off those debts one at a time and youll be free in no time. 