Tips to Get Organized for Tax Time
It’s that time of the year again: Tax time! This can be a nightmare if you are unorganized. We actually just went through this in our household. I wanted to rip my hair out while trying to find all the necessary paperwork to go to the tax man.
I vowed to change that! This Master Lock opportunity came at the perfect time for me to have a fresh start for this year.
Tips to Get Organized for Taxes
Master Lock has come up with some great tips to making things go a little smoother by organizing with better storage.
Purge the paperwork
First things first – clear the clutter. Go through all paperwork and eliminate anything you no longer need, shredding identifying documents to protect against identity theft.
Get rid of expired warranties and year-old receipts and bank statements.
Safely store crucial records
Designate a specific storage space for vital documents including birth certificates, marriage licenses, passports, wills and social security cards.
Keep important files in this safe box. A great way to stay organized and files docs safely!
These items, as well as any important memorabilia, should be stored in a locked, fire retardant box such as Master Lock’s 7142D storage box. Not only will you always know where these items are, they’ll be safe from home mishaps.
Create a tax file
Create a separate file for all of your tax documents. We recommend a customizable, portable filing solution such as Master Lock’s 7148D storage box for simple and easy transport to and from meeting with your accountant or tax advisor.
Organize this file into 10 categories:
- income (pay stubs, W-2s, interest statements)
- medical (medical expenses and health insurance out-of-pocket)
- donations (cash and non-cash donations)
- real estate (interest statements from mortgage, tax assessments)
- child care (payment receipts)
- tax correspondence (important IRS or state revenue service letters)
- student loans (statements of payment)
- miscellaneous receipts (any receipts that might be needed for deductions)
- payments (records of advance payments)
- old tax papers (old tax returns)
Continue to use your tax file year-round, and you won’t have to scramble for these documents when it comes time to file next year.
Back up everything
Make digital copies of important documents and store them in your fireproof box on a zip or thumb drive. Use a secure online organization and security solution, such as the Master Lock Vault (www.masterlockvault.com) to store log-in and password information for bank accounts and credit cards as well as lock combinations or key numbers to your file boxes.
Consider appointing a guardian as an additional security measure who knows where and how your records are stored for easy access in your absence.
Make it a tradition
Select a specific time of year (perhaps when tax time rolls around again) and make your review of these records an annual occurrence. This will ensure your information is streamlined and up-to-date and that finding or organizing this information is never an overwhelming process again.
By following these suggestions, you can avoid some headaches for sure! I have realized that I can shred my bank statements from 2001 and that is okay! My inner-hoarder needs to be tamed once in a while.
We have now used our Master Lock storage box to safely store our important documents and followed some of these tips to organize further. I also plan to take advantage of some features at the Master Lock Vault to store passwords and other confidential data.
Master Lock Storage Security No. 7148D
Product Features:
- Locking file box
- 6″ (15.2cm) x 13-1/2″ (34.3cm) x 10-1/2″ (26.7cm)
- Durable steel construction stands up to daily use
- Key lock to protect and secure your personal documents
- Includes 2 keys
Best Used For:
- Cash Handling & Document Storage
Hey, maybe our refund will even be bigger next year because we will have everything so organized!
The Master Lock website is great and their products are awesome.
The master lock site is cool but I’d like to see more of their products…
I like their 3-question suggestion mini-quiz; I don’t know a lot about locks and it’s nice to see that they can match me up with what I need.
I visited Masterlock website and there are several locks I could use.
It’s great that they sell their products at CVS, Academy and Office Depot. Makes it handy to get quality products.
their site is so easy to use! love it!
Checked out the website…very interesting!
They carry quit a variety of products for a variety of conditions–even electronics.
It seems as though they have every kind of lock and lock box low/med security high security etc
Gladys P
@sueparks2003
sps1113 at yahoo dot com
sueparks2003 at gmail dot com
I visited Master Lock Site and I like that there is a master lock selector. I selected, keyed, Indoors/shelter, low/medium value and the Cable Locks was a good choice for me.
flophasit at yahoo dot com
Thank you for the chance to enter!
Oh! I really like their MasterLock Selector! Makes figuring out which lock to get easy as pie. And the different locks they suggest come in all different prices, too!
ohmiss14 at yahoo dot com
Really informative but like others, I wish they showed more of their products so that I don’t have to go store to store looking for the perfect one.
master lock makes the best locks for keeping things safe
I didn’t realize Master Lock made security storage units.
I didn’t know they had stuff like this – I just thought of Master Lock as padlocks and that’s it!
They have a short questionaire to help you find the right lock.
Master Lock offers me several choices of locks for around the house – whether it’s a combination (COMBINATION PADLOCKS – NO. 1590D) or keyed lock (COVERED LAMINATED PADLOCKS – NO. 911DPF), I know Master Lock products will protect my property and give me piece of mind.
The site had a lot of variety in choice of locks availabe including padlocks, combination locks, bike locks, chain locks etc.
I like the vehicle and towing locks.
It’s pretty cool that Master Lock has been around since 1921. They have all kinds of things to offer. Before when I thought of them I thought locker locks. Lol.
i never knew there was so many different locks for all kinds of things
They have alot of great products with great quality!
I think the site needs a tab that shows their products. Except for specialty products, I couldn’t find a quick link to see what they make!
Thanks for the giveaway!
I learned from their site that they were founded in 1921!
Thank you for this wonderful and useful giveaway 🙂
Lots of bells, whistles and the like on the site. I”d sure like to win the storage box.
brntsims at gmail dot com
Learned that they can be purchased at multiple locations in the area, including Ace Hardware, Advanced Auto Parts, Bass Pro shops, etc.
I like the Master Lock Selector-answer 3 questions and it takes you to the locks that fit your needs.
I like the questions that lead you to the types of products they have available. I checked out the portable personal storage cases and think I would like to get one.
Perfect products for organizing paperwork.
The master lock selector tool is awesome!
I really like the Master Lock Speed dial. It is also nice that they will help you find the right lock for your needs.
I love how they have so many different kinds of locks – I had no idea they had one for all different kinds of needs.
The portable storage container is great too.
I took the MasterLock questionnaire for the products that best suit my needs.
they sell their products at CVS and Office Depot
I visited the master lock website and i never realized there were so many options
Master Lock was founded in 1921 and continue to expand their lines of security solutions.
I wish that the Master Lock site was a little easier to navigate. I do like that they have a lot of different products that you can use at home.
I love their MasterLock Selector it makes picking a solution as easy as pie
I didn’t realize that Masterlock was founded in 1921.
What a great website! I learned that the company was founded in 1921!
their lock selector is super cool!
I’ve never really considered buying security hardware directly from the Masterlock website – they’re just available everywhere and not something that once I decide I need it, that I’d be willing to wait for shipping for… interesting site though, I like that you can compare different products and get recommendations too.
I had no idea Masterlock had much more than your standard locks.
Thanks
I love all of the different products they offer, thanks!
Master Lock products items that I have known and trusted for the majority of my 63 years on this earth.
their products look really great
Love the Master Lock storage box
When I started middle school, way back in the last century, it was a Master Lock that my mom bought for my locker, so I knew the company had been around for a long time. I didn’t know that it was founded in 1921, which is what I learned on their website. They know a thing or two about making locks!
It’s good that they ..For security reasons Master Lock will not provide lost combinations if the lock is attached to anything.
i dont think they show enough of there products on there site ( master lock)…..jellison_kelly@yahoo.com
they have great durable products that can be trusted !
thanks for the entry!
🙂
The electronic lock solutions are fantastic!
Master Lock has a lot of new nice stuff, i would love the word lock
I like that their products are fire proof and so portable. A safe is just so large and heavy that it’s impractical for important papers, and carboard dividers are not secure enough. These products are just right.
MasterLock was founded in 1921.
ezmerelda(AT)mail(DOT)com
i’d love winning this for my business papers. i took the mini quiz and found shrouded locks, which i need to look into to protect our photography equipment.
xbeautifulcoma at yahoo dot com
I learned that the company was founded in 1921.
Under Services and Support, they offer help if you’ve lost your keys or your combination.
Love the assortment of products they carry and I learned that they have been in business since 1921
ardy22 at earthlink dot net