The most obvious way to have less taxes to do, is just to buy less things.
The only reason you have so much to do, is because you don't know what you've done this year, what's deductible, what's not deductible, what has benefits, etc. With less of this, you can get through your tax time more easily.
This is kind of continuing from my first point, don't buy anything, unless you really need it.
Don't start things, or buy things that you don't think you'll find very useful. Because when it comes to tax time, it's all just going to come together.
I'm sure many of you do this, but I know so many that don't, which is to keep everything organized.
Keep anything that you will need for taxes in a filing cabinet or desk that already has different categories labeled for taxes. This way, when coming to tax time, everything you need will be in the same place, ready for you to start with. Also, if you're not going to need it again next year, get rid of it! Recycle or throw it out, but do not let it build up in your tax area, because when you are trying to do taxes next year, and you find leftover stuff from last year, you won't know whether you need it or not, and you might screw up your taxes and making yourself pay more than you have to.
To successfully finish your taxes with as least stress as possible, you must pace yourself.
Do not rush, and start a little ahead of time if you think you won't be able to do it later, or you have a show that you just have to see next week that runs for 2 hours or something like that. Do a little everyday, and don't get sidetracked. Maybe today, you will finish this part, and tomorrow you will finish that part, but do not get panicked when you see your work load. When you spread it out, you will finish up on time, and still have had some time to spend with your family, or to go out and have some fun. Taxes aren't meant to be fun, but they aren't meant to kill you either.
Get Some Help
Sometimes if you think you have waited too long, and aren't going to finish on your own, then get a little help. Maybe your wife doesn't mind doing a bit, maybe your son is old enough to help you without messing you up, or maybe you've seen an advertisement on TV, etc. However it is, a little help is always useful.
