10 Tips For Success In Tax Season 2022

As we enter the year 2022, it’s time to get ready for yet another Tax Season. CPAs, accountants, and tax preparers have a lot on their tables. Tax season is the most stressful stretch of the year for tax preparers. Hence, to avoid last-minute frustration, one must deal with it systematically.

There have been many unforeseen changes ever since the beginning of the pandemic in 2020.

Tax preparers and accounting professionals were restricted inside their homes and in this scenario had to take remote working as the new norm. This hindered the tax filing process. They needed time to adjust to the change.

At this time, the tax industry also had a significant impact and hence, IRS even extended the deadline of the Tax Day from April 15th to July 15th.

Also, for the year 2021, IRS has announced annual inflation adjustments. Because of higher inflations, there has been increase in the amount of minimum addition tax for failure to file taxes within the mentioned 60 days.

Further, some of the problems faced by tax preparers include:

• Failure to file returns on time
• Undetected income reports
• Calculation errors

Here are some tips which would help tax preparers avoid these issues and attain success in tax season 2022:

1. Start Filing Early

Around 20% of taxpayers fail to file taxes on time, due to which they have to face penalties by the IRS. It is best to start early and file the taxes on time to avoid the last-minute hassle.

Early filing ensures quicker tax refunds, and one doesn’t have to wait until the end of April for the same. Procrastinating the filing process increases the chances of tax fraud and errors in returns.

2. Get Organized

Start the tax preparation by planning a schedule for the tasks and gathering the required information for the process. Categorizing tasks according to their priorities would save a lot of time and avoid any mismanagement during the busy season.

Taxpayers need to assemble some necessary information and documents before filing the returns, which includes:

• Personal details of the client
• Tax-related receipts
• Bank statements
• Details of the income sources
• List of the charitable contributions

An organized filing process improves the efficiency of any business for a smoother tax season.

3. Stay Informed

With constant changes being made in the tax laws and regulations, it is crucial to stay updated and be aware of the tax reforms. For instance, the standard deduction for a married couple (filing jointly) increased by $300, i.e., to $25,100.

Tax preparers must take time to go through all the tax changes to avoid incorrect form filing. Inaccurate filing may lead to a delay in tax refunds and even penalties.

4. Hire an Expert

CPA or a tax professional can help businesses deal with the tax challenges as they know the accounting and tax industry inside out. Many companies try to avoid hiring professionals in order to reduce expenses, but these experts might save the firm more than the investment.

Recommended Reading: Best Places To Find CPAs and Accountants For Your Business

Outsourcing is also a good option, which further saves the cost of hiring. A knowledgeable tax professional makes the filing process seamless and more accurate.

5. Use Technology

Technology has become an indispensable part of the taxation and accounting process. There are various tax and accounting software solutions in the market, which have helped to reduce tax-season stress for professionals by automating most of the manual processes and increasing accuracy.

Other modern-day technologies like Cloud Computing further streamline the tax process by providing added advantages of remote access, multi-user collaboration, scalability options, and more.

Further, hosting the tax software on the cloud enhances its capability. Cloud service providers ensure advanced security of data, seamless third-party integration, and regular backups. It makes the filing process more relaxed and productive.

6. Check for Tax Deductions

Claiming tax deductions reduces the amount of tax owed to the IRS. Many taxpayers are eligible for some amount of tax deductions depending upon their tax bracket. Investing money in items like furniture and IT equipment for the office can increase the deductions. Cost of healthcare, retirement contribution, college tuitions also offset the amount of taxes to be paid.

It is essential to keep track of all the expenses and bills which will be used for reference purposes during the tax filing process.

7. Maintain a healthy environment

Businesses must set up the right office environment during the tax season to improve employee input and proficiency. For better management of the team and the workflow, entrust some of the tasks to the subordinates according to their willingness and expertise.

Sharing the work proves to be a great helping hand during the busy season. In order to handle a large client base, it is better to categorize them according to the common requirements. It further helps to accomplish the task effectively.

8. Beware of Frauds

Tax scams are on the rise during the tax season. Accountants and tax professionals need to prepare for security threats like malware attacks, form frauds, identity attacks, etc.

One must stay vigilant to protect personal information and data from fraudsters. Important points to keep in mind in order to stay safe this tax season are:

• Watch out for spam emails
• Use anti-virus software
• Set up strong passwords for business accounts
• Choose a reliable cloud service provider

Following these steps increases the safety of sensitive data, which further ensures a stress-free tax season.

9. Create an IRS Account

Setting up an account on the IRS website provides users a secure platform with necessary information on filing tax returns. Taxpayers get round-the-clock support and information for tax preparation.

Moreover, one can access his/her tax records, payment history, and set up an online payment agreement. The IRS protects the identity of the user through the two-factor authentication process, which further protects sensitive data.

10. Take Health Into Consideration

Staying in shape should top the list for tax professionals this tax season. One cannot work to its full capacity if he/she is not well.

Try to implement some of the healthy habits into the lifestyle, especially during the busy season, such as:

• Drink plenty of water
• Don’t skip a meal
• Eat a healthy and balanced diet
• Exercise regularly

Taking care of mental and physical health is essential in order to give personal best during the busy season.

Final Words

Tax season might be a stressful time for many professionals, but businesses can achieve success by managing their tasks effectively. The above tips will ensure a better filing experience for tax season 2022 and will provide a seamless tax filing experience.

Do you have any more tips for a successful tax season 2022? Please write to us in the comments section.