Essential Practical Tips for Families & Small Businesses in Union County.

Tax season doesn’t have to feel like a storm of papers, deadlines and confusing forms like W-2s, 1099s or Schedule C.

With a little preparation, it can be calm, predictable, even simple.

Whether you’re self-employed, running a small business from home, driving a truck, freelancing, or working a regular W-2 job here in the Monroe area… every January it’s normal to feel that familiar wave of worry:

“What if I miss something? What if I overpay? What if I mess this up?”

You’re not alone.

But the truth is simple: tax season becomes stressful only when everything is disorganized and left to the last minute. The IRS doesn’t reward rushing — it rewards clarity and good records.

Taxes aren’t a yearly emergency. They’re a process and a process you can absolutely control.

The earlier you start, the smoother your spring will be and the more confident you’ll feel.

5 Steps to Prepare for Tax Season Without Stress

1. Start With Your Documents — This Is Your Foundation

Don’t wait until March when everyone is scrambling. A little prep now saves hours later.

Start gathering the essentials:

W-2s from your employer
1099-NEC or 1099-K if you freelance or drive for DoorDash, Uber, Instacart, Etsy, etc.
Bank statements
Receipts for tools, supplies, fuel, equipment and other business expenses
Income/expense summaries from your bookkeeping app or POS system

A simple digital system goes a long way. Tools like QuickBooks, Wave, Expensify, or even Google Sheets work well for many small businesses here in Union County.

Real-life example:A local truck driver kept every fuel and repair receipt organized on his phone.At tax time, his accountant applied every available deduction — saving him nearly $4,000.Meanwhile, his friend who “kept everything in his head” paid thousands more.

Good records matter.

2. Use Technology — Let It Do the Hard Work

Tax software in the U.S. is built to simplify your life.

Programs like TurboTax, TaxAct, or H&R Block can handle most situations:

They find deductions
Check for errors
File your return electronically
Pull in data from your bank automatically

Most major banks used here locally — Truist, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, etc., let you import your transactions directly into tax software.

Example:A beauty professional with a small studio linked her business account to QuickBooks, then exported everything to TurboTax. Her entire tax process took hours instead of days.

3. Meet With a Professional — Especially If You’re Self-Employed

If you run a business, drive a truck, own an LLC, or have investments, talking with a tax professional at least once a year is worth it.

A professional can help you:

Find deductions and credits you didn’t know existed
Choose the best tax structure (many LLC owners in NC switch to an S-Corp once income grows)
Avoid IRS letters, penalties and costly mistakes

Example:An electrician who recently moved his business to NC wasn’t sure how to file — as a sole proprietor or S-Corp.His accountant ran the numbers: switching to S-Corp saved him over $5,000 per year.

Small changes can make a big difference.

4. Ask Questions — There Are No “Dumb” Questions in Taxes

The U.S. tax system is complicated even for lifelong residents.

Asking questions isn’t embarrassing, it’s responsible.

IRS.gov has free tools, and many CPAs around Monroe and Indian Trail offer free early-season consultations.

Prepare a short list before your meeting:

Can I deduct part of my rent for a home office?
What’s the best way to track mileage?
Do I need an S-Corp?
What expenses can I write off for my type of business?

Example:A cleaning service owner didn’t realize her home office qualified for a deduction.After asking her CPA, she cut her tax bill by $1,200 — just from one question.

5. Stay Updated — Tax Rules Change Every Year

Credits, limits and deduction rules change often. Make sure your software or CPA uses current numbers.

Example:A local family filed using old Child Tax Credit numbers and received an IRS adjustment — plus penalties. A simple update check would have prevented it.