| Income tax preparation often is left to | | | | instructions just looking at the section for that line |
| professionals. For some returns that makes | | | | and that line only. |
| perfect sense. Those are the more complex | | | | If you don't understand the instructions, then get |
| returns with lots of different activities and lots of | | | | the instructions that the instructions refer to. |
| problems. Also tax planning for some people is a | | | | There will be some. It will be a more detailed set |
| good use of a tax professional, no doubt. | | | | of instructions and it will be referred to in your |
| However most returns only have salary income | | | | instruction book. Look only at the instructions for |
| and maybe a little investment income. Those can | | | | the one and only one line you are dealing with. |
| be easily done by anybody. | | | | After you are satisfied that the first line is filled in |
| Here's how to approach tax return preparation. | | | | properly, go to the second line and do the same |
| Now granted, I only did tax returns professionally | | | | thing. Do not wander. Do not get distracted. Stick |
| for three years. They didn't teach this in | | | | to one line only. |
| accounting classes and nobody ever, ever told me | | | | Work through the return a line at time and you |
| this. This one trick I discovered just by | | | | can fill it out yourself. |
| observation and experience and it works. It is the | | | | This is a good exercise even if you take your tax |
| key to return preparation. | | | | information to a tax preparer. By working through |
| You take one line at a time. Focus. | | | | it yourself, you will have all your records organized |
| Focus on one line of a return at a time is the key | | | | and will be helping your tax preparer to best help |
| to proper return completion. By doing that you will | | | | you. |
| not be overwhelmed by the number of pages of | | | | Income tax preparation done a line at a time |
| the return. You will not be distracted by the | | | | prevents confusion and frustration. Give it a try |
| number of pages in the instruction book. You will | | | | and do not underestimate the importance of a |
| get it right. | | | | focused look at filling out these forms or any |
| This is serious. | | | | other forms for that matter. |
| Just read the first line and do exactly what it | | | | Take it one line at a time. |
| says. If you don't understand it, go to the | | | | |