[seatides]

I am. I've been putting this off and putting this off because I just can't stand taking the time to deal with numbers. Plus it requires concentration which means few or no interruptions which equals virtually impossible around here!

As usual, today is going to be "THE DAY" that I'm going to wrap this stuff up.

Can anyone relate? Any suggestions or advice? Thank you!

[shoshanna]

Have you tried one of the online programs? If your income is under $50,000 and you are under the age of 50, you can get it done for free at a site like H&R Block or TaxPro.

Here's the link. We were really pleased with how easy it was.

http://www.irs.gov/efile/article/0,,id=118986,00.html

[workingdad]

Our tax situation is pretty complicated -- investment gains and losses, and various kinds of deductions. We save our receipts, add em up, give the package to our accountant, and that's how we do it. We've done pretty well, I suppose, owing our state but getting back from the Feds. Ideally, you should actually either owe money or break even, but we can't go too nuts. And, your accountant's fee is deductible for next year!

[mcmama]

I can relate. I do them myself - I use turbo tax, and I temped in an accountant;s office so I have some idea of what to do. But it really disrupts my world. Preparing the tax return is coinciding with the FAFSA and the PFS (Parent Financialcavity Search) for private school. I really hate the whole process.

Beats me how I get such a nice refund from the feds but my state NJ eats up more all the time. I am looking at relocating to one of the states that does not have a personal income tax to simplify things.

[seatides]

After all your helpful suggestions, I'm a little embarrassed to admit that I don't even actually DO the returns myself! It's just the process of organizing all the stuff I have to send them! I know, I know, if it was nicely organized all year long, I wouldn't have this problem now.

So let me ask you this question instead: what's the easiest/best way to keep track of these things? Over the years, with good intentions, I've acquired various versions of Quicken, QuickBooks, Money, etc. What do you obviously well-organized peoplee recommend?

Thanks again!