By Brenda Petersen 

1.  Complete the organizer.

If you are a tax client of BCS, you should have received your individual organizer.  If you did not, please click here to find an electronic version, or call the office at 282-4511 to request one.

The organizer helps you by making sure you have all your ducks in a row.  You will find questions regarding your personal information; dependents; purchases, sales and debt; itemized deductions; possible tax credits and other miscellaneous information.

To ensure a flawless tax return, check the names, birthdays, and social security numbers of you, your spouse, and your dependents.

Please be sure to provide updated contact information.

2. Send us all W-2s, 1099s, etc.

In addition to W-2s and 1099s, we also need any of the following to minimize tax liability:

–  Medical expenses

–  Property taxes paid

–  Charitable contributions

–  Child care expenses

–  Mortgage interest statements

–  Student loan statements or tuition paid

3. Don’t opt out of e-file.

We recommend all of our eligible clients e-file their return.  Some returns cannot be e-filed due to attachments, etc., but if at all possible, you should have your return e-filed.  E-filing is a safer and faster way than paper mail to get your return to the IRS.  Once your e-filed return or extension is accepted, we get a confirmation from the IRS. 

The IRS has mandated that all individual and trust returns be e-filed.  If you still choose not to e-file your return, you must sign an opt-out form.

4. The earlier your information is in, the better.

Our returns are prepared on a first-in, first-out basis, so get your information to us as soon as you can.  The only way we can guarantee your return will be done before the deadline, is to make certain your complete information is to us by April 1^st.   If you wait until after April 1^st, we might have to extend your return. 

5. Start organizing now for next year.

January is a great place to start organizing for next year.  We recommend filing all your information by month, and keeping a separate file for tax-related statements.  This will ensure a stress-free tax season for you next year!