Much to my (and probably the rest of my fellow creatives’) dismay, tax time is fast approaching! Insert the eye-rolling and groans here. I’ll wait.

In an effort to make lemonade out of life’s lemons, last year I created this checklist and it really helped me get myself organized (and actually feel organized) when it came time to meet with my accountant.

I’ve left it blank because everyone’s tax needs are so different, but here are some things you might want to fill it with:

Paperwork

• W-2’s from any day job (and spouse’s jobs)
• 1099’s from any contract work
• Your business’ Income Statement
• Itemized List of personal deductions (charitable donations, education costs,  etc)
• Interest or Dividend Income
• Self employed health insurance payment records

To-Do’s

• Schedule Appointment with Accountant
• Organize Business Income and Expenses by category
• Create/Print off Income Statement for 2015
• Send in Owed Tax Money

This is by no means a complete list (and I’m not an accountant or certified tax preparer) so don’t take my advice to the grave, but just some ideas to get you started! You can print off this list and hand write your items with a fancy pen (my favorite way!) or simply fill it in on the computer first, then print when you’re done.

GET YOUR FREE TAX PDF HERE

Every year I make myself a promise to stay up on bookkeeping so tax time is less crazy for me and I’ve done really good about it this year!

Here’s a few tips you can do throughout the year:

Use Wave Accounting it’s easy, free and awesome!

You can plug in all your accounts and it keeps track of everything for you! The only thing you have to do is go in to categorize and verify all your incomes and expenses. I do that monthly and it takes me less than a half hour.

Set an alarm on your phone at the end of each month to deal with bookkeeping.

I have an alarm set on my phone on the 30th of each month to go in and look at my Wave account, record the mileage I’ve driven each month, put away money for taxes and to pay myself. It might not all get done on the 30th, but it’s always a reminder to do it in the next few days. It works so well for me to keep up with everything

Keep all your business receipts in one place

I have a pretty pink box on my desk that I put any business receipts in for the month and then file them in my tax folder when I do my bookkeeping on the 30th. This way I’m not searching around for those pesky receipts when I need them. If it’s an online purchase I just keep an email folder specifically for email receipts labeled “Tax Receipts” so I know right where to look for them!

Keep everything business separate from your personal life

Keep separate accounts, bank cards, paypal accounts…everything! It just makes everything so much easier when you’re deciphering your expenses.

Ready to get started on some tax time fun (yeah, me neither), but at least now this necessity is a little prettier!

GET YOUR FREE TAX PDF HERE