Tax season is upon us and companies and individuals alike are sharing in the preparation of filing taxes including finding and organizing supporting documentation for deductions and expenses. For some, the task of retrieving documents can be a task easily accomplished. For most, this can be a time consuming, almost insurmountable, event.
According to the IRS¹, there are five tips you should follow for individuals:
1. Normally, tax records should be kept for three years.
2. Some documents — such as records relating to a home purchase or sale, stock transactions, IRA and business or rental property — should be kept longer.
3. In most cases, the IRS does not require you to keep records in any special manner. Generally speaking, however, you should keep any and all documents that may have an impact on your federal tax return.
4. Records you should keep include bills, credit card and other receipts, invoices, mileage logs, canceled, imaged or substitute checks, proofs of payment, and any other records to support deductions or credits you claim on your return.
5. For more information on what kinds of records to keep, see IRS Publication 552, Recordkeeping for Individuals, which is available on the IRS website at http://www.irs.gov or by calling 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).
This list sounds easier than done and for individuals but imagine what it is like for businesses. Studies show that professionals spend more than 18 minutes locating each document². Now multiply times the number of documents could equal more than 21% lost in an organization’s productivity³!
By leveraging a document management system, filing taxes can be a less time consuming and stressful time of the year. Not only can you easily file supporting documentation, but it can be easily retrieved, backed up, and securely stored—with a mouse click or two.
RJ Young can show you how to make finding documents a little easier and tax time—less taxing.
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Mark Turner – Director of Software Services
Mark is responsible for the software sales and implementation teams. He has worked for RJ Young since 2013. Combined he has over 16 years of experience in the industry where 9 years were in IT and 7 years were in software. Mark works out of our Nashville, TN office and is originally from Montgomery, Alabama. In his spare time he volunteers for the United Way and enjoys kayaking, photography and craft beer.