This article was updated March 31, 2025.
Tax day is almost here, but don’t stress — we’re here to help you get organized and make filing your taxes as smooth as possible. Follow this simple roadmap, and you’ll be on your way to a hassle-free tax season.
Step 1: Gather your personal info
Before you start, make sure you have:
- Your full name, date of birth, Social Security number and driver’s license
- Your new address (if you moved)
- Info on life changes — new baby, marriage, divorce or if a loved one passed away
- Details if you are now supporting an aging parent
- Your IRS-issued Identity Protection PIN (if you have one)
Why this matters: Keeping this info updated helps prevent mistakes and delays.
Step 2: Collect your income documents
You’ll need:
- W-2s from your employer
- 1099s for freelance work, investments or other income
- 1099-Rs if you withdrew money from a retirement account
- Self-employed? Share a profit/loss report from your accounting software (or an Excel sheet if easier)
- Rental income? Provide your income and expense records
Pro tip: Most tax preparers can scan your forms directly, which speeds up the process.
Step 3: Look for ways to save on taxes
Business owners: Make sure you’re claiming all your expenses — this includes shared car use, home office costs (even a desk in the corner counts), utilities, mortgage interest and insurance. If you qualify, you may be able to take a simple $500/month deduction instead of tracking every little detail.
Retirement savings: You can still open a SEP IRA (for self-employed people) until April 15, 2025, to reduce your 2024 taxes.
Rental properties: Good records are key. Ensure rent deposits aren’t mistakenly included as taxable income, and provide details on home repairs and improvements — some may qualify for special deductions.
Why this matters: The more expenses you track, the less tax you may owe.
Step 4: Organize your deductible expenses
Instead of handing over a pile of receipts, create a simple, clear list of expenses:
- Medical expenses
- Mortgage interest and property tax
- State income tax paid
- Charitable donations (keep receipts for anything over $5,000)
Pro tip: Save your receipts for at least five years in case you need them later.
Step 5: Check your tax payments
Make sure you have a record of any estimated tax payments you made during the year. Label them clearly with the correct tax period and year.
Bonus tip: Protect your assets in case of a disaster
- Take a video tour of your home every year to document your belongings.
- Keep receipts and photos of big purchases and home upgrades.
- Store everything in the cloud so you can access it even if your home is damaged.
- If you recently remodeled or landscaped, update your home insurance to reflect the new value.
Final pro tip
If your tax preparer gives you an organizer to fill out, don’t stress! Just use it as a guide, and send them your neatly typed information or scanned forms instead of handwriting everything.
Amy Chorew is an active Realtor involved in investment properties and listing well-staged homes in Connecticut. Since 2008, Amy has been on the national speaking circuit teaching industry professionals about technology and sales strategies to help improve their business. Connect with her on LinkedIn and Instagram.
