It’s that time of the year when tax documents start arriving en masse in your mailbox. Staying organized can make tax season a lot less stressful. Here are some tips:
Keep an envelope handy for tax documents. As you go through your mail this tax season, put any tax documents that arrive in an envelope or plastic sleeve. In addition to your W-2s, you may also receive year-end investment account and mortgage statements. Putting them all in one place right out of the envelope makes it a whole lot easier when it’s time for your taxes to be prepared. You won’t have to sort through your financial documents to find what you need.
Make sure everyone has a Social Security number. If you have a child who doesn’t yet have one, you can print out an application here. You’ll need to bring the filled out application along with your child’s birth certificate – and don’t forget your child – to your local Social Security Office.
Missing a form? Request it now. Companies that must furnish you with tax documents, such as employers and financial institutions, had until January 31 to get all forms in the mail. Review all the documents that have arrived and if you notice anything is missing, make the call to request them now.
Go to this link for some more tips on getting organized plus check out this valuable list of other documents that come in handy at tax time.