Ok Ladies I have to pipe in here. Tax time is both a dreaded and good time of year for me. As a bookkeeper who is also a tax preparer - lot's of work and 15 hour days ahead for the next four months. But the income I earn doing tax returns pays my self employment taxes - kind of a double edged sword really. I even considered not doing tax returns this year but...opportunities have presented themselves for an expansion of my business and working with two incredible local CPA's so....tax season here I come...
As far as "how to get ready for tax time" Organization is the key - There is such a thing as an "organized mess" and my definition is the shoe box, paper bag or files where all the receipts and tax related documents have been thrown. But of course the best scenerio is that all have been categorized to some degree. The most frustrating thing from a tax preparer's point of view is not having all the documents from the taxpayer that are needed to prepare the return. The more phone calls I have to make to the taxpayer for information equals more time to prepare the return which equals more money out of your pocket for preparer fees. So organization equals $'s saved...If you are taking your taxes to a preparer. If not than consider how organization will eliminate much of the frustrations you might otherwise experience when preparing your own return. And yes, if you are preparing your own return and you have qustions, send me a PM and I will help however I can.