Tax time is probably not your favorite time of year, especially if you have to pay the government your hard-earned dollars.

Here are five tips on making Tax Time it just a bit less taxing.

Have patience.

Practicing patience will go a long way when you’re dealing with taxes. Keep in mind that for tax professionals, the months of January through April are as crowded and hectic as a shopping mall in December. Parking is scarce, the sales clerks are doing the best they can, and customers are all trying to shop for presents, party items, and decorations in a very compressed time period.

Be patient with yourself as well. You have the skills to manage your business, but it may not be at organizing paperwork or dealing with numbers. That’s where we can help!

Have tax stack.

Set aside a permanent place on your desk to be the tax stack. When you receive something in the mail that is tax-related, place it in the tax stack. You’ll save valuable time later not having to look for documents you need.

Similarly, create a folder on your computer for tax items. Under Documents, create a folder called Taxes. Within that folder, create a folder for the tax year, such as 2017 for the year just ended. Move all of your tax-related computer documents into that file.

At your leisure, scan in or take a cell phone picture of the paper documents in the tax stack and place the digital file in the Tax folder. Now you’ll have everything in one place and you’ll be so organized that your tax accountant will be so impressed!

Catch up.

If your books or records are behind for 2017 or more, get them caught up now to beat the rush. If you’ve wait until the first week of April, you’ll probably need to file an extension. Keep in mind that an extension only grants a paperwork extension; it does NOT delay any tax payments that are due. If you wait too late, you’ll have the stress of waiting until the last minute, the stress of paying estimated taxes, and the stress of waiting until your return is finally filed.

Early bird.  

Connect with us or your tax professional early to agree on what services will be offered and to get your documents turned in as soon as you receive them. Getting your things in early will mean less waiting time for preparation and filing. Wouldn’t it be great to be able to say that you’re done with your taxes in February? You’ll have less stress and your energy can be redirected to new projects.

Avoid a large tax payment.

The worst thing about tax time might just be writing a big check, possibly with penalties, to the government at the lsat hour.  Instead, plan ahead and spread out your payments for next year by adjusting your payroll withholding or making quarterly estimated tax payments.   Spreading your tax payment throughout the year will have you writing a smaller check, if any, on the tax deadline.

Try these five tips for tax time, and you’ll have more energy for other, more important things in your business.

Behind on your bookkeeping? Need help getting caught up?  Surprised by a huge tax bill?

Book a complimentary Strategy Session today to see how we can help.