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Showing posts with label Tax Organizing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tax Organizing. Show all posts

Monday, January 1, 2024

Get Organized this GO Month!

January is Get Organized & Be Productive (GO) Month and there’s no better time to consult an organizing or productivity professional.

Clutter and disorganization can drain your energy and contribute to unwarranted stress, frustration, and anxiety. Ready to start the new year off right by getting organized and increasing productivity? Here are our top tips:

·      *   Clear out your files to start the new year off right! Go through each file and get rid of any papers that are not needed for your taxes or are not for any items that you no longer own. Be sure to shred any documents that have identifying information.

·     *    Make a folder for Tax Information and put anything related to your taxes into this folder.

·      *   If you have backup documentation for your taxes – put all of that together into one folder and mark it for the tax year. Keep all of your documents with your taxes in a separate tax box.

·       *   If you have spreadsheets that you use to keep track of anything, like donations or medical expenses – make new spreadsheets for the new year.

*   To make life easier when you are pulling all of your tax information together – make a spreadsheet of everything that you need to give to your accountant. List all the forms that you are expecting – such as W9’s, investment account information, as well as any spreadsheets with donation or medical expense information or anything else that you usually give to your accountant. By having a spreadsheet (or list) – you won’t forget to include things and you will know at a glance what documents you are still waiting for.

As a member of the National Association of Productivity & Organizing Professionals (NAPO), I work to improve my clients’ lives by helping them create environments that support productivity, general health, and well-being. After all, working with a Professional Organizer & Productivity Consultant is no different than choosing an accountant, personal trainer, doctor, or other service provider!

About NAPO

The National Association of Productivity & Organizing Professionals (NAPO) was founded in 1985 as a nonprofit professional educational association for professional organizers. Today, NAPO has approximately 3,500 members worldwide, representing the full spectrum of the global industry:  professional organizers, productivity consultants, authors, educators, trainers, manufacturers, service providers and more. NAPO’s mission is to be the leading source for organizing and productivity professionals by providing exceptional education, enhancing business connections, advancing industry research, and increasing public awareness. Visit www.NAPO.net to learn more.

  

Karin E. Fried, CPC, EMT-B, CTACC

Professional Organizer & Productivity Consultant

Less Clutter = Less Stress SM     in your home, your business and your life

Member: National Association of Productivity & Organizing Professionals (NAPO)
Member: Institute For Challenging Disorganization (ICD)
Certificate of Study in Chronic Disorganization
Certificate of Study in Basic Hoarding Issues with the CD Client
Certificate of Study in Understanding the Needs of the Elderly CD Client
Certificate of Study in Basic ADD Issues with the CD Client

Certificate of Study in CD Client Administration
Certificate of Study in Life Transitions
Certificate of Study in Time Management and Productivity
Certificate of Study in Interpersonal Intelligence
Certificate of Study in Mental Health Conditions and Challenges Affecting the CD Client
CD Specialist - Level II Certificate

Hoarding Specialist - Level II Certificate

Certified Life & Business Coach

 

 

 

 

 

Monday, February 28, 2022

Tax Time is Almost Here - Do You Have Your Paperwork in Order?

It's getting close to Tax Time! I know that people are probably scrambling to get all of their documents ready to take to their accountant. But there are ways to make this time a lot less stressful - by being prepared ahead of time.

Start by having a folder dedicated to all things "tax related". 

During the year - anything that comes in that might in any way be tax related - any receipts or documents - put them into the tax folder.

That includes any banking or financial documents. Also - any mortgage or loan interest statements.

Tax deduction documents. Expense receipts. Donation receipts.  W2's.  1099's. Saving, investments or dividends. Any other income or losses.

And much more. Your account can provide a list of all of your needed documents.

What is helpful - is having a checklist that you can reuse every year - that lists all of the things that you are waiting for. When they come in - just check them off of your list! Keep a blank copy of this list in  your tax folder. If things change - you can always add or delete them from your list.

By having a system in place - and a place for your tax file - this time of year should be a lot less stressful!

Less Clutter = Less Stress SM     in your home, your business and your life

Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
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Sunday, January 19, 2020

Getting Your Files Organized


I hate filing!   There - I said it!  I have no problems creating and maintaining systems for my clients - but for myself - I hate to file. It's not that it's hard - it's just a chore that I don't like.

And at this time of year - purging your files and creating new ones should be a top priority!

Part of getting ready for taxes is having all of your documents and papers in order for your accountant. And if you have a good filing system - with a file labeled "Tax Info" - it should be easy.

But - you should also go through your filing cabinet and clear out - purge - any papers that you won't need for your taxes. As long as you have proof that you paid your bills - such as mortgage and utilities - which could be on your bank statement - then you can get rid of any unnecessary papers that are taking up space in your files.

Paperwork is emotionally and physically draining. It is also very time consuming.

Therefore, I always tell my clients to limit the amount of time they will work on any paper related organizing project. Set a time limit of not more than an hour or two for each session.

Take at least a five minute break each hour.

Break your paper organizing projects into multiple sessions. 

Set a limit of  X number of files that you are going to go through each session.

Once you have cleared out your files and are ready for the new year treat yourself to something special - you deserve t!

Get in the habit of filing your papers at least once a week. That way they won't pile and you won't feel so stressed.

Happy filing!

Less Clutter = Less Stress SM     in your home, your business and your life

Organizational Consulting Services

Monday, February 11, 2019

Getting Ready for Taxes - Get Organized!


Most people don't like to think about tax time - but now that January is over and W2's have been sent out - you might want to get a jump start on getting all of your tax information together!

Don't wait until April. That will just cause you a lot of stress!

First - get a folder or envelope so that you can put anything related to your taxes in one spot. Also, by keeping a folder marked "Taxes" - anything that comes in relating to taxes can be put into it throughout the year.

Second - get out your tax checklist and check off the items that you already have. If you don't have checklist - now is the time to make one. This will makes things easier next tax season.

Anything that you need for taxes, W2's, mortgage information, banking information, deduction information - should all be on your checklist. By doing this you won't have to remember everything that you need and you won't forget anything.

Third - make an appointment with your accountant as soon as possible - so that you aren't waiting until the last minute (and getting stressed out)

Fourth - after getting your completed tax forms back from your accountant - sign and send them out immediately

Fifth - be thankful that you are ahead of everyone else


Remember - being organized will save you time and reduce your stress


Less Clutter = Less Stress SM     in your home, your business and your life

Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com

Monday, March 27, 2017

Tax Preparedness: Gathering Essential Documents



It happens every year. Taxes are due. People everywhere are eagerly awaiting their W2's so they can file their tax returns. Right?

Maybe not - there are a lot of people that put off getting all of the needed paperwork together until the very last minute. Why?  Because they aren't organized. They can't find the information they need. It's not in a convenient location or in a convenient format.

Receipts have been misplaced or are non-existent. Stress builds up and all thoughts of taxes are pushed out of their thoughts. Until April. And then the panic sets in. Again.

This happens every year. So why not break the cycle?

Put together a list of all of the things that are needed to file your taxes. Then make folders and as these things come into your home - put them in the appropriate folder.

Make sure that you have a "donation" folder - for all of your donation receipts.

Have a folder for your investment information. A folder for your medical bills. A folder for children's expenses. A folder for major purchases.

The system has to work for you. Each person is different and has different information that they need to capture.

Use this year - as you get ready to prepare for your taxes - as a learning tool for what kind of information you will need to capture for next year.

By being organized - by having all of the needed information in one place - your life will be much less stressed.

Tax time is not a fun time for anyone - except tax accountants.  So take the stress out of the equation by being more organized.

Keeping good records throughout the year will make year end and tax time a breeze.

So take a deep breath and get your paperwork in order and resolve to make next year a better one.

Read an article from the IRS about some of the documents that you should keep:  Tax Preparedness: Gathering Essential Documents



Less Clutter = Less Stress SM     in your home, your business and your life 

Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com/


Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Making Tax Time Easier


Taxes - something everyone hates dealing with. And I'm no exception.

To make your life easier make a simple list of all of your bank accounts (with account numbers), 401K statements, mortgages, business information, donations, medical information and anything else that you might need for your tax preparer.

I update my list every year and just check off the statements as they come in. That way I'm sure that I have not forgotten anything.

Tax time is very stressful and even the most organized people dread it.

But by having a list to check off all of the needed documents it will make your life much easier and you won't miss anything.

Another good use for this list is for your family - just in case you were in an accident or in preparation for your death.  I know that it might sound morbid - but your family should know where all of your financials are located to make their lives easier.  Coping with the loss of a loved one is not easy and having to sort through a lifetime of paperwork at that time is not something anyone wants to do.

Being organized is not always about you. It helps your family too!

Now - get back to your taxes before that deadline!





Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com/

Monday, January 20, 2014

Filing Your Taxes - Are You Prepared ?


It happens every year. Taxes are due. People everywhere are eagerly awaiting their W2's so they can file their tax returns. Right?

Maybe not - there are a lot of people that put off getting all of the needed paperwork together until the very last minute. Why?  Because they aren't organized. They can't find the information they need. It's not in a convenient location or in a convenient format.

Receipts have been misplaced or are non-existent. Stress builds up and all thoughts of taxes are pushed out of their thoughts. Until April. And then the panic sets in. Again.

This happens every year. So why not break the cycle?

Put together a list of all of the things that are needed to file your taxes. Then make folders and as these things come into your home - put them in the appropriate folder.

Make sure that you have a "donation" folder - for all of your donation receipts.

Have a folder for your investment information. A folder for your medical bills. A folder for childrens expenses. A folder for major purchases.

The system has to work for you. Each person is different and has different information that they need to capture.

Use this year - as you get ready to prepare for your taxes - as a learning tool for what kind of information you will need to capture for next year.

By being organized - by having all of the needed information in one place - your life will be much less stressed.

Tax time is not a fun time for anyone - except tax accountants.  So take the stress out of the equation by being more organized.

Keeping good records throughout the year will make year end and tax time a breeze.

So take a deep breath and get your paperwork in order and resolve to make next year a better one.





Organizational Consulting Services

Monday, April 15, 2013

Tax TIme - Avoid the Stress Next Year

It's April 15th - Did you file your Taxes?

A lot of people wait until the very last minute to file their taxes. It's something that everyone hates doing. It takes a lot of time - especially if you didn't keep all of your needed receipts or records in an organized system where they were easily accessible.

So....what did you learn from this?

Do better next year !

You can start now by making up a few folders and putting anything tax related into them as they come in. That alone will save you a lot of time, frustration and stress next tax season.

A few quick ideas for file folders:
  • Tax related
  • Medical / Health Care
  • Donations
  • Investments
  • Mortgage info
  • Banking
Just by having these few folders and putting anything related into them - you will have cut down your tax preparation time tremendously.

Get into the habit of filing these important papers into the appropriate files as soon as they come in - you will save yourself a lot of time next year. Time that is well spent this year.

Getting organized and staying organized is a lot of work.  But well worth the effort!




Organizational Consulting Services

Monday, February 4, 2013

Organizing Your Taxes

January is over and by now we should have most of the documents that we need to get our taxes done.

Yes, it's everyone's favorite time. Not !  Too much paperwork. Too much pressure.

So how can we make it easier?   Well, by having had an organized plan throughout the year for starters.

Most people never think about taxes and tax time until right before the tax deadline.  And that's when they get stressed out.

By thinking about your taxes throughout the year and having a place for anything that might be tax related, your actual "tax preparation time" .... the time it takes you to get all of your documents, supporting documents and anything else that you take to your accountant...ready....  you will have a much easier and less stressed time.

That said, start by just having a file for anything tax related. Put anything that comes in over the year into that file. Anything related to your home, your business (in a separate file), your savings....should all go into a file for your taxes.  That way you are not searching for it at year end.

Make a checklist of all of your saving & financial accounts and all of the documents that you need for your taxes. By doing this, when you are getting ready to take your paperwork to your accountant, you won't forget anything and won't constantly have to "think" about what you might be missing. This will save you time and stress each year.

For most people doing their taxes is not fun.  By having a system in place throughout the year you will spend less time at the beginning of the year hunting for those needed documents.

Happy Tax Preparation !


Organizational Consulting Services