Your Tax Docs Have Just Arrived in Your Mailbox... Here’s Your Financial Fitness Plan to Surviving This Tax Season
From the Warm-Up to the Stretch, Tips From Sanyika Calloway Boyce, The Financial Fitness Coach, to Pump-Up Your Tax-Time Readiness
It’s tax time - a time of year that many of us dread - and W2’s, 1099’s and tax documents of all kinds are hitting mailboxes across the country. Unfortunately, many Americans aren't financially fit and are unprepared to start filing, get organized and get the most out of this tax season. Now’s the time to get organized, educate yourself on any changes to tax codes or filing processes and gather and protecting all your personal information. The good news is there are tons of great resources out there to help you with your taxes. Sanyika Calloway Boyce, "The Financial Fitness Coach," is a recognized financial expert who has been featured on The Today Show, Fox Business and other local, regional and national morning talk shows and news programs who has partnered with some great brands to help you create a financial fitness plan to get you toned-up for tax time.
According to the Office Depot Small Business Index, 35 percent of small businesses believe tax software such as H&R Block would be the most helpful tool in completing their business’ taxes. At Office Depot you can purchase software in the way that best meets your needs - either at a retail location or online. If you buy software online, you can either download it directly to your computer or have it shipped to your home or office. As a bonus, if you purchase your tax software from Office Depot, either in-store or online, you can receive $1,300 worth of additional software for free after mail-in rebate. Tax software such as H&R Block at Home features all the necessary components to quickly and easily complete Federal and State taxes and allows you to file taxes online from the comfort of your home or office. The software also grants you access to the H&R Block network of tax professionals for simple tax time troubleshooting and is available online at www.OfficeDepot.com or at any Office Depot retail location.
Using your debit or credit card, such as a MasterCard card, makes for effective records management and greatly simplifies your financial life. Cardholders can use their year-end statement to ensure they obtain the maximum tax deductions. By skipping the cash and using your credit card, you can substantiate purchases like doctor’s appointments, charitable donations and business expenses.
You want to make your money work for you. If you owe money this tax season, one tip I recommend is to pay your taxes with a debt or credit card because it’s convenient, secure and cost effective. If you use your MasterCard debit or credit card to pay your tax bill, you have the convenience of paying anytime online from home and you have peace of mind that your payment will be securely received – no more waiting in line at the post office! Taxpayers can also receive their tax refunds electronically via a prepaid debit card. This is a good option for students and other taxpayers who don’t have a bank account and don’t want to worry about lost or stolen checks in the mail. Many states along with other prepaid programs like the H&R Block Emerald Card now offer a prepaid card option for tax refunds so make sure to look for that option when you file your return. You can learn more at www.mastercard.us/tax-payment.
After you’ve finished your taxes, there are few final steps you should take. You’ll want to make a copy of your return and make sure you keep all your paperwork organized. Your tax return, your paystubs, and your receipts all might come in handy down the road if an audit comes about.
If you’re discarding financial documents after you’ve prepared your taxes, be sure to use a shredder to help prevent identity theft. The Office Depot-exclusive Ativa shredder offers secure solutions that shred up to 10 times smaller than your typical cross cut shredders. This makes the items virtually unreadable and identity thieves cannot piece together your personal information. The Ativa MDM6000 features Quiet Cut technology that can safely shred up to 200 sheets in 5 minutes – and you don’t have to worry about removing staples or paper clips. This shredder can also shred CDs and DVDs that contain your personal information. To help you save on your secure shredding solutions, Office Depot is offering $50 off the Ativa MDM6000 through March 31st. You can learn more at www.OfficeDepot.com.
We all have to file our taxes so for more financial tips to help you get ready for tax time, please visit www.FinancialFitnessCoach.com along with www.OfficeDepot.com/tax and www.mastercard.us/tax-payment.
About Sanyika Calloway Boyce: Sanyika Calloway Boyce is best known as "The Financial Fitness Coach.” She is the author of "Crack 'Da Code: What Every College Student Needs to Know About Money, Love & The Dream Job," and "Teen Money Tips: Simple Steps for Banking Saving and Making Money." Her upcoming book is "Give Yourself Credit: How to Develop the Courage, Confidence and Commitment YOU Need to Move Forward After a Financial Fall." She has appeared on The Today Show (NBC), Wedlock or Deadlock (FOX), and Fox Business as well as several local, regional and national morning talk shows and news programs.
