organized TAX TIME = FREE TIME

It is that time of the year, where all of your receipts, bills, and papers you have been saving are actually used…TAX TIME!

Keep your taxes organized throughout the year!

Now that tax season is almost over take all of the paper work you actually used to prepare your taxes and set it aside. Take the rest of the piles of paper and make note of what you didn't use to prepare your taxes. Don't save these items next year. In fact make sure you save yourself time throughout the year by knowing what to keep, what to shred and what to scan. If you have an accountant or work with an accountant for tax time then ask them what they would like you to organize for them each year and make a home for all of the documents that will be going to your accountant. The more organized you are the less they may charge you.

Save trees, save time and save yourself the energy of filing meaningless paper work around your home or office by enrolling in online billing and electronic receipt of your statements. Set up organized email folders in your email client for these bills and receipts for referencing. Just keep reminding yourself that organized taxes are simpler taxes later. Organize, organize and stay organized!

Also, the IRS has now approved scanned copies of receipts for auditing purposes so take the time and start to save yourself space in your home and office by scanning all important receipts that have meaning to you and get rid of the paper cluttering your life. Keep only receipts for items that are under warranty, have significant value such as purchases over $1,000.00 or purchases that require original proof of purchase for a return or exchange. You can find this out by asking merchants or by looking on the back of your receipts! Stay organized before and after tax time!