I’m not one of those people who hates paying taxes. I don’t like writing the check, but I don’t hate it. I guess I bought into the whole death and taxes thing and would rather spend my mental energy on things I might be able to change. However, I am someone who hates preparing to pay my taxes. Even though I work with an accountant I find it painful. I think its taking a weekend of my life to look backwards and the only thing I get out of it is having to write the check.

But what if you could get something for yourself out of all that data collection? Thanks to a prospective client I realized tax prep also covers all the heavy lifting for a building or updating your financial plan. Most people think of building one, (you know you should – see previous post on shoulding yourself) but, it seems like a daunting task to collect all that information. Even if you won’t get to a financial plan until after summer (that was always the distance I kicked the can) you will have most of what you need and maybe you won’t be quite as sullen as 007 come April 15.

Make copies of these tax documents so you are ready for your financial plan:

• W-2s
• 1040
• 1099s
• Investment or retirement account statements
• Mortgage summary statement