Oh yeah, tax season. That season when millions of us collectively sigh, sit in front of the computer, and wonder, “How on earth could I owe more money?” But before you start googling “how to disappear before April 15,” take a deep breath. Filing your taxes doesn’t have to be a stressful process that ruins your weekend, or your faith in humanity. With a little planning, tax time can be, dare I say, manageable – maybe even *easy*, no strike that, let’s stick with “manageable”.
Here are 7 ways to keep filing your taxes from to feeling like you’re getting a root canal while stuck in rush hour.
1. Start Early, Avoid Panic Later
If “I work best under pressure” is how you live your life, tax season might be a good time to try it another way. Waiting until April 15th to start rummaging through your credit card statements for deductions is a recipe for disaster. Instead, get ahead of the game! Set a reminder, maybe *before* the day taxes are due. That way, you can take your time Googling what counts as a deduction (spoiler: your cat probably doesn’t).
Pro tip: Set up a system for your tax docs so next year, you don’t have to ask your dog where you put your W-2.
2. Let Technology (or a CPA) Be Your Best Friend
Think back to when filing taxes involved filling out forms by hand and doing math with an actual calculator. What? Don’t remember that? Good. Let’s keep it that way. Tax software is like the GPS of tax season: it guides you through, asks all the right questions, and saves you from stuck in the circle that can be IRS forms. And tax soft is perfect if your situation is pretty straightforward, and standard.
Pro Tip: If you have more “creative” financial situations—like owning a business, rental property or investing in every possible side hustle—hiring a CPA is a game-changer. Let them sweat the hard stuff and you can sip your latte and pretend you understand how accelerated depreciation helps you.
3. Deductions and Credits: Your New Favorite Words
You know that feeling when you find a $20 bill in the washer? That’s what deductions and credits feel like, only better. These tax breaks can be the difference between spending the IRS your vacation money, or them sending you to Cancun. So, be honest, but don’t be shy—claim what’s rightfully yours!
From mortgage interest to student loan payments and that generous donation to your favorite charity (yes, it counts!), there are a lot of ways to lower your tax bill. Tax credits are the best! They’re like a Christmas bonus, reducing how much you owe *dollar for dollar*. Boom!
4. It’s Not Rocket Science – But It’s Close
Yes, maybe taxes aren’t in the “simple: category, but they’re also not an unsolvable cryptic puzzle. A little knowledge goes a long way in taking the fear out of filing. Learn the basics: know your deadlines, figure out which forms you need, and for the love of refunds, double-check your numbers. Because nothing says “fun weekend” like an IRS letter asking about the $10,000 you forgot to report.
But what if you do make a mistake? Relax. The IRS isn’t going to immediately show up at your door. You are allowed to file an amended return. Hey, we all mess up sometimes.
5. Take It One Step at a Time
Filing taxes may feel overwhelming when you think it in total. But like anything else in life—whether it’s assembling IKEA furniture or raising 13 kids (right?)—breaking it down into small, simple steps makes it easier. First, gather all your documents. Next, figure out your deductions and credits. Finally, fill out the forms or let your tax software do its thing.
Just like raising 13 children, divide and conquer, my friend. Divide and conquer.
6. Plan for Next Year (Yes, Already)
Once your taxes are filed, now is the time to plan for next year and how do make it smoother. Take some notes about what went right (and wrong) this time. What was difficult to find? Set up a better system now. Here’s the big one…Did you owe more than expected? Adjust your withholding right away so you’ll be sitting pretty next year.
Trust me, the future you will thank today’s you when tax season rolls around again.
7. Call in the Pros When You Need to
Sometimes you just need a hand. Whether you’re a regular Joe trying to figure out what a “standard deduction” is or a small business owner with a lot riding on the line, there’s no shame in asking for help. CPAs, EA and non-licensed tax preparers can take the burden off your plate. They are the folks that dig in and really enjoy tax season, so you can too.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, filing taxes is just another adulting task most of us have to deal with. It’s like dental work—necessary, but not life-threatening. With a little prep, the right tools, and professional help if you need it, tax time doesn’t have to ruin your vibe.
So, don’t wait! Get those taxes done before they come a Nightmare on your street.