Tax season is officially upon us, and we’re here to make this year as stress-free as possible. Here are some ideas to consider to get organized and ready before the deadline.

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1. Gathering Tax Documents

We’ve created a comprehensive list of common tax documents that you may need to provide to file your taxes. The required documents can be broken into several categories:

• Income
  • W-2
  • 1099 forms (1099-R, 1099-INT, 1099-SSA, etc.)
  • Rental Income
• Deductions
  • 1098 Mortgage Form
  • Property Taxes
  • IRA Contributions
  • Childcare costs
  • Educational Expenses (1098-T, 1098-E, etc.)
• Business-related items
  • Financial reports (profit and loss, balance sheet, etc.)
  • Business Use of Home (Downloadable link)
  • Visit our website for more Free Tax Worksheets

If there are any errors or missing information on your tax documents, contact the issuer as soon as possible.

If you earned tips or overtime income, be prepared to separate that income to take advantage of the new OBBBA tax laws. It may not be clearly itemized on your W-2.

2. Organize your Documents

Once your tax documents start arriving, be sure to keep them all in one place, whether that’s online or as hard copies. If your year has stayed similar to last year, compare the documents so you can track what items you may still be missing. The main cause of delays is due to missing information.

3. Create Deadline Reminders

Setting up reminders on or before the deadline can keep tax responsibilities top-of-mind. This is not only the deadline to submit your return, but it’s also the last time you can contribute to your retirement accounts, HSA, and pay the first installment for 2026 estimated taxes.

Missing a deadline can result in penalties, interest, or lost opportunities.

4. Make Final IRA and HSA Contributions

Even though it’s already 2026, you can still fund certain accounts and apply them towards the 2025 year. Contribution limits include:

• Roth IRA: $7,000 or $8,000 if age 50 or older
• HSA: $4,300 for individuals or $8,550 for families

These contributions reduce taxable income and support long-term financial planning. These contributions must be made by April 15th or the date you file your return, whichever comes first.

5. Estimate Taxes if You Plan to Extend

Filing an extension gives you more time to file, not more time to pay.

If you are expected to owe taxes, we recommend paying 15% more than what you owed last year if your situation hasn’t changed much. If there was a large life event (marriage, kids, new business, etc.), then you can download our Tax Projection Tool to estimate your tax liability (*This is only an estimate; you may be subject to owing more*).

Make sure that you submit payments by April 15th, regardless of whether you’ve filed for an extension. If you file after the deadline (with an extension) and you actually owed more than what your estimated payment was, you will still be penalized for the amount outstanding and charged interest from the initial deadline date.

6. Review your Child’s Income

Parents commonly overlook this step because they don’t expect their children to be required to file their own separate tax return. Your child may need to file a tax return if:

• Earned income exceeds $15,750
• Investment income exceeds $1,350

This includes wages, dividends, interest, or capital gains. Filing correctly helps avoid issues with the IRS and teaches good financial habits early. Check the IRS website for more guidance on whether your dependents need to file.

Final Thoughts

A smooth tax season starts with preparation, not panic.

Gather documents early, stay organized, track deadlines, and review your situation carefully. A little planning now can save hours of stress and possibly thousands of dollars later.

If you are unsure whether you are missing deductions, credits, or planning opportunities, working with a tax strategist can make all the difference.