Blog Posts
Blog Posts
Our blogs are expanded versions of the posts we show in Facebook. After you see the short version in Facebook, come here to see the details.
February 17, 2018
Why file early?
Top reasons to file your tax return as soon as you have all of your information:
- To get it out of the way! You can enjoy spring while the other people are stressing out.
- Get your refund sooner if you were overpaid. Use it to pay off bills, add to savings or take a spring trip (also while the other people are stressing out).
- If you owe money you know how much you need to come up with by April 17th. Even if you file your return early you don’t have to pay until the filing deadline. Again, while the other people are stressing out---see a trend here….
- Beat the rush. Tax preparers usually get busier closer to the filing deadline. It may take longer to get your return prepared.
- Planning for 2018 - See if the updated federal withholding amounts from the new payroll tax tables for 2018 will create a bigger refund or cause you to owe money at the end of the year. Your tax preparer can show you an estimate of your taxes under the new laws. You can then adjust your withholding information if needed.
- More planning for 2018 - Find out how the new tax law changes will affect you in 2018. You may have some deductions for 2017 that are no longer deductible under the new tax law. 2018 is the perfect time to learn how to do a tax plan during the year instead of just waiting till the end of the year and see where everything lands.
- Protect yourself from identity theft. IRS uses the first come first serve method. The first tax return filed using a social security number is considered to be the correct one. If you as the legitimate taxpayer file later and your return is denied because another return was already filed with that social security number, the burden of proof is on you to show IRS that yours is really the correct return for that social security number. If you would have been getting a refund it will be held up for months while you and the IRS straighten things out. But if you owe you still have to pay by the filing deadline to avoid penalties. This is what is called a lose-lose situation.
February 1, 2018
What to Bring When You Meet With Your Tax Preparer
If this is the first time you have used this tax preparer you should bring a copy of your last year’s tax return. Also, bring all the tax forms you have received. When you use the same tax preparer as the previous year you may receive a Tax Organizer from them. This will have your prior year information filled in. You can write in any changes and add any questions to remind you of items you want to discuss with the preparer.
We will email you a blank Tax Organizer if you contact us before you come in. Filling the in information and answering the questions on the Organizer helps make your in-person visit more efficient. The number of questions on most Organizers can seem overwhelming but they are to help you determine if there is additional information you need to bring or discuss with your tax preparer. Don’t stress out over answering each question. Put a question mark by the question and you can discuss when you come into the office.
You should let your tax preparer know if you are aware of any changes to your family status, employment or other financial information for the upcoming year. They can help you determine if you need to change your withholdings or recordkeeping.
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