As a business owner, the last thing you need are more tasks on your to do list. And yet, that’s exactly what tax time presents because as we all know “doing your taxes” isn’t just one task, it’s a bunch of little tasks that add up to a huge pain. If you’re a small business owner, a piece of you is probably already starting to dread that impending April 15th deadline. But here’s some good news: While eliminating all of your tax time stress probably isn’t possible, it is possible to mitigate some of it. Here are a few tips:
Start early. All the little tasks required for preparing your taxes aren’t going to get any easier or any fewer in number the longer you procrastinate. If you know you’re going to have to go on a search and find mission to gather all the paperwork you need, then start now. If your records are well kept via your own filing system or with the help of accounting software, go ahead and make sure you can easily find everything you’re going to need to turn over to your tax preparer. Starting early, when there’s no need to rush, will keep your stress to a minimum and reduce the chances of making a costly mistake.
Make the most of helpful tech.As an employer, there are a lot of tax forms you have to deal with for each of your employees. From W-2s to 1099s, filling out and managing all these forms can be a real headache. Thankfully, there is extremely helpful W-2 software available today to help you manage all these forms. In addition to making filing your employee information easier, much of the available software updates automatically in order to account for new tax requirements, such as the Affordable Care Act Tax Provision.
Hire a trusted tax professional.Filing your taxes is a tedious and unforgiving business. Even if you’re a math whiz interpreting the many forms you’ll need to fill out can be a challenge if you aren’t well-trained in tax prep. There is certainly no shame in hiring a professional to prepare your taxes for you. To find the right person for your business, ask some of your fellow business owners who they use, check out Yelp reviews, and always interview potential candidates. When you know you can trust and rely on your tax preparer, tax time becomes a little easier.
Set aside some time for relaxation.Tax time doesn’t have to be all work and no play. Sure, you might have a to spend a couple extra hours in your office here and there to make sure you’re all set for April 15th, but be sure to offset it with some “you” time. Get a massage. Go for a jog. Have a little dance party for one in your office. Regardless of the activity, do something you love to put tax time out of your mind for a bit.
Yes, tax time is stressful, but when you take the right steps early in the process, you can do a lot to reduce your stress load. April 15th may seem far away now, but it will be here before you know it. Start taking steps to get ready today so that you can be less stressed down the line.