| In the words of Dave Barry, "It's income tax time again, | | | | And don't forget about the charitable donations you've |
| Americans: time to gather up those receipts, get out | | | | made over the last year! Visit for *free* software |
| those tax forms, sharpen up that pencil, and stab | | | | from TurboTax that tracks and adds your donations |
| yourself in the aorta." | | | | year-round and accurately determines the value of |
| Filing taxes = huge pain. We all know it. We all go | | | | your donated items. |
| through it once a year. And while there's no way | | | | (3) X-cessorize: Compliment your tax prep efforts. |
| around tax season, there is a way to make the | | | | I'm not talking shoes and purses here! It's all about |
| process less stressful. | | | | storage. Now that you've got each and every one of |
| P.R.E.P.A.R.A.T.I.O.N. (I'm hearing a collective sigh from | | | | your tax documents assembled, they must be |
| all the procrastinators out there!) A little bit of | | | | organized in one central location, so as not to get lost. |
| preparation can make a huge difference in your tax | | | | There are lots of different tax organizers that can |
| filing experience. | | | | keep your tax papers in order. You can dress 'em up |
| Here are 5 steps to a help you file your taxes, on-time | | | | in style with something like the Buttoned Up Tax Filer. |
| and un-frazzled... | | | | Or if you're not into fancy-schmancy, then you can |
| (Think T-A-X-E-S!) | | | | dress 'em down with the oldie but goody manila |
| (1) Tally: Decide how many hours you'll need for tax | | | | envelope. |
| prep. | | | | (4) Evaluate: Assess how you want to file your return. |
| First, choose a final date, such as "I wanna be done | | | | Will you prepare your return or go to a tax preparer? |
| with my taxes by 1 April." Then work your timetable | | | | Do you qualify to file at no-cost using Free File on the |
| backwards from there, planning around your work | | | | IRS website? Are you eligible for free help at an IRS |
| schedule, family responsibilities, and extracurriculars. | | | | office or volunteer site? Will you purchase tax prep |
| Second, think about how long it's taken you in the past | | | | software or e-file online? |
| to file. If 6 hours of tax prep has been enough in the | | | | There are many possibilities to consider! Weigh them |
| past, then this year will likely be no different unless | | | | all and find the option that best suits your needs. You |
| you've had major changes in your life. So pencil in 2 | | | | may need to make modifications to your tally and time |
| hours on your calendar for 3 Saturdays between now | | | | line, if necessary. |
| and April 1st, or maybe 1 hour each Monday evening | | | | (5) Schedule: Make a date to file your return. |
| for the next 6 weeks. Etc, etc. | | | | If you're doing your own taxes, make an appointment |
| Looking ahead will prevent a last-minute tax crunch | | | | with yourself. If someone else is doing your taxes, |
| and all the pressure that comes with it! | | | | make an appointment with him/her. |
| (2) Assemble: Gather all tax-related documents. | | | | Schedule asap - before the calendar fills up! And |
| Search your files, baskets, and bins. Your objective? | | | | schedule a date several weeks ahead of the April 15th |
| To find any and all receipts, canceled checks, and | | | | tax deadline, just in case something comes up and you |
| other papers that support an item of income or | | | | need a bit more time to complete filing. |
| deduction. | | | | And remember: It's NEVER too early to start tax prep |
| Be on the lookout for important forms like W-2s and | | | | for next year! |
| 1099s in the mail. | | | | |