It's tax time

Did you break into sweats just reading that title?

You aren't alone. However, it doesn't have to be as bad as you're thinking right now.

Instead of breaking out into hives, take the time to make a list of things you need to get together.

Here's a starter list, although all may not apply to you:

• Mortgage/interest documents

• Refinance documents

• Interest earned on savings accounts

• W2

• Tuition / tax credits

• Charitable donations

• Tax deductible student loan interest payments

• Car tax / registration

Want to be prepared for next year? Go ahead and make a list of all the items you collected this year, put them in a folder and as you get the information (ex. as you make charitable donations), put them in the folder and cross them off your list. Your future self will thank you!

If you usually get a refund, consider submitting your taxes early. One, it gets it out of the way, but you're also not scrambling to hit up tax professionals for questions if something comes up AND if something does happen, you will have time to do research, ask questions and get any help necessary.

May you get a refund and may it be plentiful!

Come back next week for high value ways to use your tax refund.