I used to feel intense dread as soon as TurboTax started advertising in full force sometime around the beginning of January. I didn’t feel like I really knew what I was doing with taxes and often worried that I was leaving out important information or would get audited by the IRS. But now that I have a few years and a handful of tricks under my belt, tax season is something that I actually — dare I say it? — look forward to. Here are 7 tips to make tax season easier.
7 Tips for Making Tax Season Easier
1. Start compiling important paperwork as soon as it begins to arrive
There’s nothing more annoying than sitting down to do your taxes and then jumping back up every ten minutes to find a different form stashed somewhere in your house. If you set up a folder right now to stash tax documents in as soon as they arrive in the mail, it’ll make the actual filing a breeze.
The same is true for e-documents. Some of my tax forms are mailed to me, but the majority are accessed in my various accounts online. I plan to set aside half an hour sometime before I’m ready to file our taxes to download all the relevant PDFs and collect them in a folder on my computer.
2. Hire an expert, or at the very least some reputable software
If your taxes are relatively uncomplicated, you can probably file them yourself using software such as TaxAct, H&R Block, or TurboTax. If you’re really feeling unsure about doing it yourself or your taxes are more complicated, consider hiring a pro! They may not be as expensive as you think and can often get you a better tax return.
By the way, don’t forget to check this IRS website to find out if you can use software completely for free!
3. Make the experience enjoyable
Pour yourself a glass of wine or cup of tea or whatever drink is currently your favorite. Play your favorite album in the background. Light a candle. Get comfy. Who says filing taxes has to be a total drag?
You can also think of it as an opportunity to see how much money you’ve made, given away, and all the things you’ve accomplished over the last year.
4. Reward yourself with a fun activity afterward
Have something fun you can look forward to afterward, whether it’s breaking into that new craft you’ve been dreaming of or starting the next Netflix series you’ve been eying. Even better, plan to do your taxes the same day as a friend and celebrate your accomplishment of being a real adult together afterward. This provides some accountability and a little somethin’ to look forward to!
5. Think about all the great things your tax money will do
It’s hard to trust something like the government to spend your money wisely. But realistically, a lot of good things probably do happen because of the money you’re taxed, such as social security benefits for people that need them, paved roads, emergency services, education, and so on. I can’t even imagine life without fire departments, and thanks to your tax dollars, we have them.
6. Comfort yourself with the fact that you won’t have to do this again until next year
Tax season always seems to appear so much faster than you expect, but if you get them done early this year, you’ll have a whole year before you have to think about them again.
7. If you’re getting a return, plan out the great ways you’re going to use it.
I have some good ideas for what to do with your tax return in this post. A tax return can be an amazing boost to help you on your way with your money goals. If you plan ahead how you’ll use it before it hits your bank account, it will help you make the most of your money instead of watching it get lost on temporary and less satisfying things like dining out and that extra pair of shoes you don’t actually need.
Since we’re talking about taxes, now is probably a great moment to make next year’s filing even easier
-Save your tax return somewhere safe and somewhere you’ll be able to easily find next year
-Set up systems you need to easily collect the info you need for next year’s return
-Consider making some money resolutions for the rest of the year now that you’ve had a review of the last – I have some great ideas collected here!
Trust me, your future self will thank you!
What are you doing with this year’s tax return if you’re getting one?
I love to hear how people choose to use their money! I hope my 7 tips for making tax season easier was helpful!
