Tax Time Tips: Organize Now, Thank Yourself Later
Sponsored by Office Depot
When tax season comes around, you can avoid many of the pain points by making an effort to improve in one area: organization. In order to get an idea of the best ways to do this, we sought the advice of Holly Bohn, organizational expert and founder of See Jane Work. Holly shared her top three tips.
Tip #1 – Select the right tax software
Each year, more Americans are choosing to file their own taxes. As an independent career woman, if you fall into this category, make sure to choose the best possible software that will guide you through the filing process. While filing on your own can be daunting, if done correctly, it can save you money and time. Plus, with easy to follow, step-by-step instructions, you may feel more empowered by completing the task from start to finish on your own! I recommend using TurboTax software, available at Office Depot® and OfficeMax® retail locations and OfficeDepot.com. Check out one of the four versions available for home, office or both.
Product:
Turbo Tax Deluxe & Premier: Intuit Turbo Tax Software
Tip #2 – Organize your files
Tax season comes with an abundance of paperwork and digital documents, so it can be nearly impossible to keep track of everything if you don’t have the right tools and a solid system in place. If you make an effort to stay organized throughout the year, it will be much easier to find the information you need during tax time. Everyone takes a different approach when it comes to organization and storage, but there are some tools that everyone can use, regardless of personal organization style, such as Bankers Box® corrugated storage boxes with file folders, receipt holders and a USB drive.
Products:
- Bankers Box® Stor/File™ Basic Strength 65% Recycled Storage Box, 10″H x 12″W x 15″D, White/Blue, Pack Of 10
- Office Depot® Brand Economy File Folders, 1/3 Cut, Letter Size, Manila, Pack Of 150
- Office Depot® Brand Polypropylene Accordion Expanding File, 13-Pocket, 6” Expansion, Coupon Size
- SanDisk® Cruzer® 16GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive
Tip #3 – Eliminate unnecessary documents
When it comes to organization, one of the most common pitfalls I come across is that people refuse to dispose of paperwork they no longer need. The same is definitely true when it comes to taxes. While it’s safe to err on the side of caution for the purposes of a potential audit, according to IRS guidelines for single filers, it’s unnecessary to hold onto certain documents you’ve been saving for more than three years. After that time elapses, and you feel comfortable, do yourself a favor and shred them. This will reduce clutter and may help protect against identity theft.
I recommend using a microcut shredder, which cuts four times smaller than traditional cross-cut shredders – providing an extra layer of security. Purchase your own or take advantage of great tax-time offers for shredding services available at Office Depot® and OfficeMax® stores, including five pounds of free bulk bin shredding available through April 23. Visit Office Depot’s 2015 taxes guide for this and other coupons for all you need during tax season.
Product: Ativa® 8-Sheet Microcut Shredder
By staying organized, using good software and cleaning out unnecessary documents, you’ll enjoy a smoother tax prep season!
