7 Practices for a Stress-Free Tax Season
If you’re organized, your tax preparation will go so much more smoothly.


It’s the most wonderful time of the year: tax season! All jokes aside, a recent study found that the majority of taxpayers dread doing their taxes. Taxes take time, can cost money, and many people find them confusing. They’re basically like homework for adults.
But taxes don’t need to be so terrible. Through years of experience and repetition, I have gained efficiencies to speed up the process. While you may not be at that level, here are seven ways to be more organized for tax season – so you can stop dreading the paperwork and get back to your life.
1. Gather as you go
Collect all tax-related information in one place as it arrives. When you receive an envelope in the mail with a tax document enclosed, add it to that spot immediately. You’ll be able to easily find it later on, which will help make your tax filing a smoother process.

Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
2. Designate a place
Keep previous years’ tax information in a central location. In most circumstances, your tax filing this year will be largely similar to the previous year. For this reason, you may want to reference previous tax documents to confirm specific numbers or even to see which documents were relevant. You can store your tax information in a folder on a bookshelf, a file in your safe, or even a “Box of Knowledge” in the closet. Pick one and stick with it.
3. Go paperless
If you are technically inclined, get your tax statements electronically. It’ll be faster, better for document retention, and help you streamline your taxes in future years.
4. Know what you need
Think about where your money is stored and any companies that may have a long-term relationship with your money. Check each of these places for tax-related information. For reference, if you have any of the following, you may need a related tax statement for each:
- A job: You should get a W-2 form, and if you received unemployment, you should get a Form 1099-G.
- Debt: A mortgage for a home (Form 1098), student loans (Form 1098-E), a personal loan that’s forgiven (Form 1099-C), other loans.
- Daycare: All the receipts you’ve saved from day care or after-school programs showing your expenses.
- Bank accounts: Savings accounts and interest-earning checking accounts (1099-INT form for interest you’ve received).
- Investment accounts: Depending on what types of accounts you hold, there can be several forms to watch for (1099-B for capital gains, 1099-DIV for dividend income, 1099-R for retirement distributions, etc.).
- Donations: Charity contribution receipts and end-of-the-year receipts from any monthly or recurring payments.
5. File early
The sooner your taxes are filed, the surer you can be that they were submitted properly ahead of the deadline and that you won’t get any surprises from the IRS later on. Filing earlier may also lead to a quicker turn-around time on your refund.
6. Know where you stand with the IRS
If you’re dying to know the status of your refund, the IRS has an online tool for that: the “Where’s My Refund” portal. Otherwise, if you have a tax question, it can be difficult to get a hold of the IRS. They are understaffed, catching up with many rule changes, and processing a lot of tax documents. For this reason, you may receive a letter from the IRS that doesn’t make sense. Don’t panic. There’s probably a good explanation for it.
If you need to call them with a question, be patient and expect a long wait time. You can also check the IRS website to access tax records, see whether you owe the IRS any payments and whether they have processed your payments or tax returns.
7. Know when to get help
The IRS doesn’t want to see mistakes on tax forms. If they catch a mistake on your form, it could cost you time, money and stress to get it resolved. Many tax-filing software programs are good for straightforward circumstances, but you may not receive the full refund you deserve. Being a business owner, having a higher income, and investing are among the factors that could complicate your tax-filing status.
The more complicated your taxes are, the more it makes sense to find a tax preparer (the IRS also has a preparer directory). A tax preparer or tax adviser can ensure your taxes are filed properly, that you take advantage of tax breaks when available, and can also correct mistakes with the IRS on your behalf. It’s a win-win!
Taxes don’t have to be scary … they only come once a year. They are not meant for you to panic or have anxiety. Being organized and a little professional help can take that stress away. Find a strategy that works for you.
Get Kiplinger Today newsletter — free
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.

Andy Gillund, CPA, MBT, is a primary tax adviser and CPA for Berger Financial Group. He has over a decade of experience in accounting and helping clients minimize their tax burden. Andy has a B.S. in Accountancy and received his Master of Business Taxation degree from the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management. He is active with the Minnesota Society of CPAs and the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.
-
Stock Market Today: Stocks Gain on Tech, Auto Tariff Talk
The Trump administration said late Friday that it will temporarily halt tariffs on some Chinese tech imports.
By Karee Venema
-
Sam's Club Plans Aggressive Expansion: Discover Its New Locations
Sam's Club expansion plans will open up to 15 new stores each year. Learn where they plan to open in 2025.
By Sean Jackson
-
How Baby Boomers and Gen Xers Are Redefining Retirement Living
Both generations need to embrace change and leverage real estate as a dynamic asset in their retirement planning. Here's how financial advisers can help, too.
By David Conti, CPRC
-
How Good Advisers Manage Risk in Challenging Markets
They understand the difference between what might be real challenges to an investor's strategy and fear brought on by market volatility.
By Ryan L. Kirk, CFA®
-
Financial Planning's Paradox: Balancing Riches and True Wealth
While enough money is important for financial security, it does not guarantee fulfillment. How can retirees and financial advisers keep their eye on the ball?
By Richard P. Himmer, PhD
-
A Confident Retirement Starts With These Four Strategies
Work your way around income gaps, tax gaffes and Social Security insecurity with some thoughtful planning and analysis.
By Nick Bare, CFP®
-
Should You Still Wait Until 70 to Claim Social Security?
Delaying Social Security until age 70 will increase your benefits. But with shortages ahead, and talk of cuts, is there a case for claiming sooner?
By Evan T. Beach, CFP®, AWMA®
-
Retirement Planning for Couples: How to Plan to Be So Happy Together
Planning for retirement as a couple is a team sport that takes open communication, thoughtful planning and a solid financial strategy.
By Andrew Rosen, CFP®, CEP
-
Market Turmoil: What History Tells Us About Current Volatility
This up-and-down uncertainty is nerve-racking, but a look back at previous downturns shows that the markets are resilient. Here's how to ride out the turmoil.
By Michael Aloi, CFP®
-
Could You Retire at 59½? Five Considerations
While some people think they should wait until they're 65 or older to retire, retiring at 59½ could be one of the best decisions for your quality of life.
By Joe F. Schmitz Jr., CFP®, ChFC®