by Nicole Holtman

Practically Organized

Did you just shudder at the word taxes? I get it. It’s one of those “adulting” things that just sucks. There, I said it. Taxes are tedious, stressful, and ridiculously easy to put off until the last minute. And if you’re a business owner? Forget it—it’s a whole other level of paperwork overload.

Between hunting down forms from different places, gathering receipts, and doing the prep work before handing it over to your accountant or tax preparer, it can feel like a never-ending task.

And here’s the thing—I’m a Certified Professional Organizer, yet for the longest time, I still felt disorganized when it came to taxes. I worried I was missing something, making a mistake, or leaving money on the table. Sound familiar?

That’s exactly why I designed a simple, repeatable system that helps me (and my clients—yes, even those who had back taxes to tackle). It’s not about doing the actual taxes—it’s about keeping the paperwork organized, so tax season doesn’t feel like a nightmare.

Quick Disclaimer: I’m not a CPA, accountant, or tax professional. These tips are purely for organizing and preparing for tax season. Always consult with a tax expert to ensure your specific financial situation is handled correctly!

Your Personalized Tax Prep Sheet

This is going to feel like a no-brainer, but you need a Tax Prep Sheet. I know, I know—there are downloadable worksheets and accountant-provided checklists. But this one is different because it’s completely personalized to YOU.

Think of it as your tax season roadmap. Whether you do your own taxes or hand them off to a professional, this sheet makes sure nothing slips through the cracks.

I personally use a simple Excel spreadsheet, but you can create yours in Google Docs, a notes app, or even on paper (as long as you make copies for future years). The goal is to make it reusable and editable so it evolves with your tax situation.

Part 1: The Ultimate Tax Checklist

Make a list of every tax form and document you need, broken down by category.

What to include:
✅ W-2s, 1099s, and other income forms
✅ Bank and investment statements
✅ Mortgage, property tax, and home-related deductions
✅ Business expenses and receipts
✅ Charitable donations
✅ Any additional forms for dependents, medical expenses, or other deductions

*Tailor this list to your needs and give each form and document its own line item.

Pro Tip: For each item, create two checkboxes: Received (so you know when you have it) and Verified (to double-check the numbers match). If you’re uploading your documents to a tax portal, you can even add a third column for that! 

Part 2: Your Personal Tax Prep Guide

Here’s where the magic happens. Document your own step-by-step process for getting your taxes done.

✨ Pretend you’re writing instructions for an assistant who has never done this before. What steps do you take? Who do you need to contact? Where do you find certain documents? What calculations do you need to make?

Why this is game-changing:
Saves you from reinventing the wheel every year
Helps you catch missing steps before tax season stress kicks in
Acts as a backup plan when life gets busy (or you just don’t want to think about it)

Bonus Tip: Add a "Notes for Next Year" section. This is where you jot down anything you wish you’d done differently, plus any questions your tax pro asked that you weren’t prepared for.

Make Tax Season Less Stressful (Yes, Really!)

This system has saved me so much frustration, and my clients have told me it makes tax season way less overwhelming. It’s not about loving taxes (because let’s be real, that’s never happening). It’s about having a plan so you can handle them faster, with less stress, and no last-minute scrambling.

Need help getting your tax papers in order? Let’s tackle it together! Work with me here.

And hey—if you use this method, tag me in a pic of your organized tax papers! I’d love to celebrate your progress.

For more information, contact Nicole Holtman.