Start Now on Next Year's Taxes: How to Set Up a Filing System You'll Actually Use

Set up a filing system now, and you'll reap serious benefits come tax time next year. Imagine how easy it will be to do next year's taxes when you have all of the information that you need right at your fingertips. Instead of rummaging in all your files for receipts, imagine finding all of them together in the first place that you look. Instead of wondering how much you donated here or there, imagine finding all of your charity numbers and the paperwork to prove them in a single place. Imagine doing next year's taxes with the confidence that if you got audited, you could answer any question the IRS threw at you in a matter of seconds because you knew where to look for the information you needed, and you knew it would be right where you expected. Start now by building a home for your paperwork, and you'll be well on your way to making tax time a breeze. The right filing system can make the difference between a tax time that requires pulling an all-nighter and rushing to the post office at 4:59pm, and a tax time that's smooth, fast, and easy. Read on to discover the best time to set up a filing system, how to tackle the project, a nifty trick for receipts, what to do if you feel overwhelmed, and how to stick with your filing system all year long.

When To Set Up Your System