simply-org.com Blog

Tax Time Tips

Taxes and death…inevitable to all, and we all agree that preparing your taxes is not our favorite thing to do. I personally can’t save you money, or make this go away, but I can offer a few ideas to save you time and lower the frustration levels.
1. Set a time line. You need to know who is going to prepare your forms. Is this you or an outside service like an accountant or tax preparer? If you are going outside, you need to know the deadline to get them all your supporting documents. If you are preparing your own taxes, pull out your calendar, work backwards from the 4/15 deadline, and make appointments with yourself. Include all the steps listed below.
2. Pull all the supporting paperwork together. Sort in to main categories including: income (wages and salary doc.s, investing income, and more), deductions (Contributions, business expenses, etc.), any other supporting documents.
3. Clear the clutter in your work space. At a minimum clear an area at your desk, computer, where-ever you are going to do the actual work. Other papers and projects will just distract and bother you while you need to concentrate on your taxes.
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Hint: keep all you papers together between work sessions. File folders for each of the categories listed above will help you keep things organized. Make sure they are clearly and boldly labeled.
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4. Purchase and install tax prep. software if you are using this.
5. File your taxes either on-line or in the mail no later than April 15th.
6. Set up a better filing and storing system for next year. Yes, do it now while it is top of mind, while you have good ideas for how to make this easier next time and so that you can use it all year!
Good luck and I hope you meet the deadline!

Empty Hangers: Follow-up
I have heard from so many readers that they have taken action and removed all the empty hangers in their closet…and it worked! There is tons more room and the clothes are hanging straighter. Awesome….

THIS WEEK’S TIP
Three quick and easy ways to responsibly get rid of your dead batteries.
It seems like we use up batteries so quickly. Clocks, toys, cameras…so many things use batteries. Do you know what to do with those dead batteries?

Rechargeable batteries used in power tools, cell phones and other consumer devices may contain potentially hazardous metals such as cadmium, nickel and lead. Button cell batteries used in watches, hearing aids and small consumer electronic devices may contain mercury and silver. And zinc and manganese are metals common in alkaline batteries such as AAA, AA, C, D, and 9 volts. All of these batteries can be recycled to preserve valuable natural resources.

Locally, there are two very convenient places to drop off used batteries. I suggest that you collect your batteries in one place in your home. Use a small box or bag. Put them in your car when you are ready to get rid of them.

Drop off Places:
All Oakland Recreation Centers have battery drop cans in their offices.
All Oakland Public Libraries have drop cans in their lobbies.
Additionally, Waste Management offers kits for purchase. You collect your batteries, place them in the kit box which can be ordered on-line from Waste Management and mail them back. You will receive confirmation of your shipment as well as a replacement box. Go to

https://www.thinkgreenfromhome.com/ThinkGreenFromHome.cfm

for more information about this program as well as others for fluorescent and CFL lights, Electronics and computer recycling.

Don’t let dead batteries add to your clutter.

Make it easy to get rid of the Paper.
Paper comes in to our lives everyday through the mail, work, kids, you name it. Getting control over the paper can start with one simple step.

Be sure to have trash cans in every room…ideally two: one for garbage and one for recycling paper.

Having cans throughout the house or in your office means you are more apt to toss the trash and the paper as soon as you decide that is where it belongs.

I suggest square or rectangular cans because they nest together tighter.

Make Space in your Closet with One Easy Step

If you do only one thing to make more room in your closet, this is it. Take out all the empty hangers.

Seriously, I can’t tell you how many closets I have overhauled only to start with bags and bags of empty hangers that just eat up precious space.

Check the rods, the floor, the hamper…everywhere. Return wire hangers to your Dry Cleaner. Put good plastic or wood hangers in a bag or basket to use when you need them.

I bet you just made all your other clothes hang straighter.