It's time to start thinking about your taxes. By now, you should have received most of the forms you need to file.

The earlier that you file, the easier it is to get an appointment with an accountant (if you need one) and the faster you'll get your return. (If you owe taxes, you don't need to file until the deadline. It's still good to know how much you'll owe so you can set the money aside or make any necessary arrangements.)

Also, if you discover a need to increase or decrease your withholding for future years, it's better to make the change early.

The first step is gathering all of your documentation:  W-2s, 1099's, receipts for deductions, etc. And as you curse the effort it takes to gather everything, give yourself a break by setting aside a space (a file folder, a drawer, whatever works for you) to keep all your receipts.  Everything is so much easier when you just need to open a drawer or a file folder.

If you use a paid preparer, you have only one more step: making an appointment.  If you are doing your own taxes, you'll need to set aside several hours of QUIET time to do your calculations and fill out the forms.  Even if you use tax prep software, you'll need some time. So make an appointment with yourself.

It won't get easier if you put it off. so take some time and get started.