Get organized. Period. Pathfinder advocates separate files for each expense: utilities, phone, electric, Internet, auto, etc. Each month, invoices (such as repairs or maintenance) go in those files. The invoices are then categorized by group and chronologically (ex. January car bills, February car bills, etc.). When 2007 comes around, copy the file names from last year and start a new file bin for the next year. You can then take this to your accountant’s office along with your tax diary and you’re set.
If you don’t already have an electronic bookkeeping system such as Quicken, Quick Books or others, get one and use it immediately. I learned this lesson the hard way. When I was practicing law, my accountant had me list all of my expenses. It took me 40 to 50 hours to do. The following year I changed over to Quick Books, which condensed those countless hours to the push of one button. Lists off of Quick Books (or other like program) can easily be emailed directly to your accountant.
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