Tax Interlude: Is Disorganization Holding You Back from Finishing Your Taxes?

We’re skipping Transition Tuesday this week because it is April 8 and there is ONE WEEK LEFT to file your taxes on time. My husband and I are going to slide in just under the wire because I procrastinated on putting together my business expenses, which I do every year. Yes, you heard me: It’s all my fault. I put it off because I don’t have a very good filing system and getting everything together once a year is a NIGHTMARE, so I just keep pretending April 15 doesn’t exist. I do not recommend this approach.

I love the home makeover show neat, hosted by professional organizer and life coach Hellen Buttigieg. I fantasize about her coming to my house, making me purge all my crap, and replacing my clutter with a beautifully streamlined, organized lifestyle. Sigh.

In the meantime, here’s what I’m thinking would be a great way to keep this tax disaster from repeating next year:

1. Record all expenses in a spreadsheet monthly so it’s all up to date instead of waiting until the end.
2. Open my bank statements as soon as they arrive and highlight the business expenses before filing them in chronological order.
3. Put my receipts in an envelope for the year so I have them all in one place in case of an audit (which we all hope will never happen).

So, be honest. How are you doing with getting your taxes finished?

Contents © Copyright 2008 Kristen King

(photo from SXC.hu)

Tags: women in business, women and business, business advice for women, taxes, organization, professional organizer, life coach, hellen buttigieg, neat, purge, streamline, office organization, biz chicks rule, kristen king