Applying these proven Tax Time Tune-Up tips will save you time, frustration and could even save you money. Even if you only reduce your stress level – it’s worth it! Start today by getting an archive box or file crate to hold all your 2004 tax related files and forms.

If you have a good filing system, but you keep getting bogged down in old records: Every January, pull last year’s financial files, any business related expenses, proof of income and all tax related items. While you are taking 2004 files out, make the replacement 2005 file folders for all of your regular home and business or personal financial and legal documents.

If you have no functioning filing system for your home (or business) I recommend you sort out your papers for 2004 tax and archives after setting up the FileSolutions TM color-coded pre-printed file kit for 2005 that fits your current filing needs . (http://www.organize.com) That way you’ll have the right place to put each item as you handle it. I use the Home and Small Business FileSolutions TM kits in my own business, which makes it easy for me to guarantee satisfaction.

Tax Preparation Software: By using tax preparation software, you can finish your federal and state returns in about 90 minutes—if you’ve completed the steps above. The software helps you find deductions, does the math for you and tells you what you owe or what your refund will be. Use tax preparation software matched to your situation and financial software; there are several available (TaxCut, TurboTax, etc.).

I use TurboTax (by the makers of Quicken) to do my own taxes. If I can do it – so can you! Then, I have a tax professional check my return for way less money than it would have cost me to have my business and personal taxes done by a tax professional.

Good News/Bad News: If your Adjusted Gross Income for 2004 is less than $28,000, or you qualify for Earned Income Tax Credit – go to http://www.taxfreedom.com and use Intuit’s TurboTax program online for FREE!

Online tax-preparation sites keep improving their do-it-yourself tax tools, ease of preparation and regular or e-filing expertise. These offer the same process as desktop software does but, it is all done online. After the products sift through your return for errors (and suggest tax-saving strategies), you can print your completed return or file it electronically.

The IRS likes electronically filed returns so much, in fact, that it's set up specific developers that provide free prep and filing to certain demographic groups. Go to www.irs.gov to see if you qualify.

Some tax-preparation web sites are cheaper than their desktop counterparts. But they don't always have the most complete version of tax help that the desktop software does. There can also be additional costs of state filing services, sometimes at more expense than the federal counterparts. A recent PC Magazine rated the top three Tax Web

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Since 1988, Eve Abbott has organized executives and business owners so they can work at least 25% more effectively. Her book is How to Do Space Age Work with a Stone Age Brain™ (2004). She has degrees in Sociology & Psychology from the University of California and a Lifetime Adult Teaching Credential. The Organizer Extraordinaire appears in New York Times, Working Woman and Home Office Computing articles. Contact Eve: www.organize.com