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Ugh. Taxes. Regardless of whether you hire a professional to do the filing, there’s still a lot of boring, and sometimes stressful, preparation to deal with each year. And if you are like most of us, you deal with taxes by putting them off until the last minute. Although it’s a tempting strategy, here’s an alternative way to get them done, which hopefully makes the task less daunting, so you don’t run the risk of missing the deadline.
Set aside one day in January to do the first step.
Maybe your first step is opening your tax software and updating your personal information. If you have an accountant, step one is to set up an appointment. For freelancers with subcontractors, your priority is sending out 1099s. Get step one out of the way as soon as possible. It will feel great to scratch it off your list. Be sure to give yourself a reward when you finish like that guilty pleasure you only allow yourself once a year!
Plan one hour for each category of tax prep.
Don’t just stare at your pile of unopened tax mail for three months. Instead, split it up into categories and plan just one hour per day for each . Early in the tax season, you may receive statements of your interest income, but have yet to receive your other tax docs. Work on your interest income category first (whether that means opening up the envelope, or entering it into your tax software). Then work on another category (1099-NECs, for instance) after those docs arrive.
Have a sugary, caffeinated beverage for each hour of tax time
Since you’re only working on them for an hour or less per day, you won’t over indulge! If Frappuccinos aren’t your thing, find your own decaf, sugar-free alternative.
Plan a relaxing reward for each tax session.
If you finish the day’s tax work before the hour is up, have a plan for a fun or relaxing activity, such as reading, watching Youtube shorts, or taking a power nap.
The key to any daunting task is breaking it up into smaller chunks. Save a link to this blog and include it in a scheduled email to yourself so that you will receive it at a convenient time. Make the subject heading something like “Caramel Macchiato and Naptime!” to remind you of the more pleasant parts of the tasks.
Rebecca H. Lee
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