“Where did I put my 1099? Did we get our financial year-end statements? YUCK! How come I can’t find
anything?” Have these sentences ever come out of your mouth recently? That can only mean one thing:
It’s time to tackle your taxes.
By following a few steps you’ll be on your way to getting your taxes filed. Here are a few ideas to help
you collect the information you need and relieve some stress along the way.
- Label two folders, Taxes 2023 and 2024. As papers start to arrive, and many have already, put them in the 2023 folder. I want you to also make a folder for 2024 because this year you are going to get into a better habit of collecting the receipts that you need. How many times have you made a donation and then thrown away the receipt because you didn't know where to put it for next year's taxes? It's so easy to drop a receipt and then it takes the guess work out of it.
- Create a tax box. Many people use a banker box. Start to assemble your past history of taxes and place them together. There is nothing more frustrating than going room to room and trying to find things. Plus doesn't it make sense to look at last year's tax return and see what you itemized? That would give you a handy checklist.
- People always ask me "What documents should I keep?" I tell them that it is a good idea to talk with a CPA or a tax professional. You can always browse the IRS.gov website and you'll see plenty of good ideas including a tax tips page chock full of articles with good advice. Other good sites include HR Block and Turbo Tax.
You can even find helpful iPhone apps to keep you on track with your taxes. Here are a few you may want to consider: Top iPhone Tax Apps
I wish you good luck in the following weeks and I hope your stress levels don’t get too high.
I will be presenting at the Sterling Heights Public Library on Thursday, February 1, 2024 from 6:00pm -
7:00pm. Call them to register!
Follow me on Instagram logical_placement or on my Facebook for weekly organizing tips.
Your local professional organizer,
Betty Huotari
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