Today your Transformational Organization task is to take a Paperwork Safari. You will go into all the nooks and crannies of your home, (including your car, garage, and purse/wallet) and collect all of the pieces of paper you can find. Go ahead and collect coupons, magazines, children’s paperwork, bills, old mail, etc. Utilize a laundry basket if you need something large. A small bin, basket or even a paper grocery bag will work for your safari if you need something more manageable. Gather all papers in a convenient and comfortable location to begin the organizational process. Today we will begin to categorize all of these documents by focusing on essential tax documents. Each day this month, we have dedicated a day in which to develop a system to create order out of this chaos.

As we journey through our Taming of the Paperwork Jungle, we will successfully complete a daily objective regarding the categorization and organization of all of the paperwork and more gathered today on our Paperwork Safari. This process will ultimately create a structure to enable us to manage our paperwork more efficiently and proactively reducing clutter, late payments and overall stress.

The Transformational Organization process is a proactive process. Therefore, this year, we will confront taxes proactively. No more procrastination as this is a negative habit and we are eradicating negative habits resulting in a more successful life.  As you sort through the piles of paperwork begin to collect and organize your tax documents.  You will want to gather and separate all of last years  (2016) tax documents together to complete your taxes. Then create a new accordion file for the current year (2017).  Label each tier of the accordion file as a deduction that you take on your taxes. This year you will have a routine for filing paperwork regularly and keeping your system of paperwork organization viable.  Looking ahead, next year you will have a system in place, your paperwork in order and tax filing will be easier and less stressful.  Just think of not having that worry on your mind.  Take control of your tax preparation now by following this plan and you will achieve success.  We will get there together.

Organization for tax documents;  create an accordion file or folder with pockets for these items.  Label according to how you itemize or file your taxes.  Donations, W-2 forms, Educational expenses, medical expenses.  These should all be organized and easily accessible to ensure that tax filing goes smoothly and stress-free. At the end of the January when the W-2 forms have to be mailed, you will be ready to file your taxes and not wait to the last minute and stress yourself out.  For ease in next year’s filing, keep a ledger of all the important expenditures that you normally claim on your taxes.  Then file each deductible expense in the file you created for this process.  Periodically, add the totals (per quarter for example) to make the filing process that much easier when the time comes.

The Internal Revenue Service requires that you keep financial records for 7 years.  If you have papers that are older, you can dispose of them if they are not important documents.  Sort papers according to years and store with that year’s tax documents. This will be important if you are audited later.  These can be stored separately in boxes and labels for quick access.  Copy paper boxes are great for this purpose and you can use file folders to organize the papers in these boxes.  Plastic bins are more durable and water resistant and do not collect moisture therefore, reducing the chances that you would develop mold in your storage area.  Choose what works best for you.

 This was a great start on Document Organization and a head start on your tax filing (and I hope you drank your healthy beverage)!!!

Beauty Routine Reminder: Follow your daily beauty routine schedule for today!