Five Simple Steps to Get Ready for Tax Time
If you haven’t already, now is a good time to get things ready for tax time. Whether you prepare them at home or go to an accountant, it is much easier when you have everything organized.
We’ll reduce them to five simple steps. It really is your choice if you do them all in one day or break them down.
Step 1: Label file folders with the following titles: Household Receipts, Personal Taxes, Medical Expenses, Personal Miscellaneous, Donations, Business Expenses, Business Mileage, Business Miscellaneous, Education Expenses, Income (W–2, 1099s). These are the basic categories but you might have additional ones.
Step 2: Organize your business receipts by month and categorize them. Some examples are: office expense, entertainment, travel, auto, communication (telephone), computer, etc. To make the next step easier, circle the date and the amount.
Step 3: Enter in accounting software or Excel.
Step 4: Print out the totals. Make two copies one to keep with your files and one for your accountant or to attach to your return.
Step 5: Make your appointment or e–file your return.
I have attached two files. The first is a Word document with the file labels mentioned in Step One and room for you customize them. Print two sets; one for tax year 2009 and one for tax year 2010. The second is an Excel file. If you don’t use accounting software, this file will help you get your totals. Enter the information on the Income, Personal Expenses and Business Expenses sheets only. Your totals will automatically appear in the 2009 totals.
I hope this helps you out and gets 2010 started off right and, as always, feel free to contact me if you have any questions or need help: (786) 205–1895 or click here to send me an email.
File Label Document
Excel Accounting File
If you would rather single–click to open files and folders, you can change the setting on your mouse.
For those that want to keep in touch with their clients, non–profit group, or just family and friends, Your Mailing List Provider is the perfect solution. Although you can upload your own HTML code, you don’t need to know how; You can use their templates with the easy Email Newsletter Builder.
They have three account plans: Free, Professional and Professional Plus. The Free plan offers 1,000 monthly emails with a limit of 1,000 contacts in your database. This plan does limit you to adding contacts through a sign-up form on a website. The Professional plans start as low as $3.75 a month for 500 monthly emails with unlimited contacts and the YMLP control panel to enter your contacts. The Professional Plus plan includes advanced reporting.
Your Mailing List Provider is an easy and cost-effective way to stay in touch.
Back to Top
