Organization Tips to Help Simply Tax Preparation

The following are a few tips that you can implement year round which may help make tax season and preparing your tax return a bit more manageable. This is especially true for last minute filers.

Make a system. By taking the time to lay the foundation for organized, easy-to-navigate, and (more importantly) easy-to-file system, you set up a platform to make it easier to find the documents you need when tax time is here.

Stay on top of things. Review and keep track of all your tax documents AS THEY COME IN. It's just about getting in a habit; like placing your keys in the same place when you come home. Putting things in order though they year is so much easier than trying to compile it all at crunch time.

File electronically. Electronic returns have fewer mistakes and get processed quicker than paper returns.

Know your finances. Namely, know if there are fluctuation to your annual income that could change your anticipated refund or tax bill. You don't necessarily need to keep a ledger or balance sheets, but thinking about annual fluctuations to your income and under their impact on your return can minimize surprise at tax time.

Get on it. If you start early you may be able to identify more deductions and get a larger return.

Make next tax season less painful by getting and staying organized this year.