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One of the most-hated times of year is Tax Season. We dislike letting go of money, yes, but we also dread tracking down the necessary documents and scraps of paper. If you are like many Americans, who start to think about filing taxes sometime between ”in like a lion” and “out like a lamb,” perhaps you could use some advice on getting your house in order.

You’ll want to organize your documents into three “buckets.” Depending on your circumstance and organization style, you can get as detailed as you need. These can be three boxes with more specific files inside, three accordion files holding various categories or months within, or three roomy file folders. (You can use actual buckets if you like, but we don’t recommend it).

Label your “buckets,” putting related documents within.

1) Income

• W-2s
• Pay-stubs
• Bonus documentation
• 1099 forms for freelance work

2) Expenses/ Deductions

• Medical receipts
• Charitable giving acknowledgment
• Business expense documentation
• Childcare receipts
• Interest paid forms

3) Investments

• Bank statements
• Investment reports
• Tax documents
• Dividend notices

If you are considering software or online tax preparation services, you have many options of varying cost. Depending on your income, you may be able to file free online with programs like TurboTax or TaxAct. Most people with simple returns will pay a small fee to file with these services. They may offer a free federal return and require payment to file the state return. Be sure to do your research on these programs, keeping in mind security, accuracy, and the features you prefer.

As you sort through your documents, filing them in their respective “buckets,” you’ll want to keep last year’s tax return handy. It will help you compile a check-list of important deductions or investment documents you will need for the current year.