Get Organized NOW for taxes

The IRS announced the top 10 Tax Time Tips. The number one tip is

"Gather your records…now! It’s never too early to start getting together any documents or forms you’ll need when filing your taxes: receipts, canceled checks, and other documents that support an item of income or a deduction you’re taking on your return. Also, be on the lookout for W-2s and 1099s, coming soon from your employer."

Actually, you should have been getting documents together ALL year long. But if you didn't for 2008, there's still hope for 2009. I keep my records in an expanded file folder. I've tried various types. Here are 2 different ones:



These folders are great for receipts and records. I use one folder per year. I change most of the headings by putting labels over them, printed on the computer for the categories I use such as "Donations", "Utilities", or "Credit Card." I keep the folder handy in a drawer near where I pay my bills.

File space is smaller than the standard 8.5 by 11 inch papers, so most papers need to be folded to fit. Sometimes a larger type of expanded file my be needed.

Of course by mentioning these files, I'm probably helping out the storage industry as mentioned in this blog posting.

What do YOU do to help organize for taxes?

Storage Organization

From construction equipment and yard care equipment to toys and sports equipment, the storage of goods has become a burden for most middle-class families. There is a storage crisis in California. One UCLA study indicated 75% of families studied had so much in their garages, that cars would no longer fit.

So, do these so-called families have an excess of goods they just have to keep around? But is it organized? I would guess not. In my house, we're always in PURSUIT of organization. I need to get rid of the clutter.

A recent wall street journal article said the following:

"According to the International Housewares Association, closet and storage items were the fastest growing housewares category over the past five years, with consumer spending increasing at an average of 20.5% per year. The association's latest HomeTrend Influentials study ranks home organization and home storage among the hottest housewares product categories through 2010."

What's new in organization products? I'll need to look. I see organization companies popping up, but I have not found the ideal solution for me.

Files, files, and more files

I'm cleaning out the desk of someone who was layed off after several years. I am trying to organize her "stuff," which was really some of the company's important papers. Some papers, she seemed to not know what to do with. As a company, we tried many organization systems -- scanning everything, filing some things, etc. I loved it when we scanned most documents as I seem to be able to sort folders electronically better than I do actual physical files (plus there's always "spotlight" search on my computer).

Today I read about 2 sites: Shoeboxed.com and FileMyReceipt.com. Shoeboxed.com will scan your receipts for you for $19.95/month. I dont know what a company rate pricing is, but I'm curious. FileMyReceipt has you scan in the receipts yourself and will store them. This doesnt seem to be much use, as I could store them myself -- even using Amazon storage services if needed. But having someone scan my receipts? Hmmmmm. Sounds like a good idea to me. I wish I knew someone who had used their services.

Paperwork Organization

Before today, my last blog post was 18 months ago. I didn't think I had anything to write about, but I think I do now. When you have to take over someone's job at a minutes' notice, stress is obviously inherent to the situation. I've been in the midst of having to sort through the organization system of someone else. I'm sure she knew where everything was............... I think I'm going to be motivated to organize my own stuff at work better.