1) Set up a file (or box) for your 2013 taxes. Put a label on it and drop in your Form W-2 and 1099s as they come in the mail.

2) Open the envelope with your JMF organizer. Please use the organizer as a guide to make sure you have everything that you had last year. The JMF organizer is much shorter this year and it is easy to use. Using the organizer will help us help you save taxes. Please put the organizer in your tax file to give to JMF.

3) If you think you will be getting a refund and you would like your refund direct deposited be sure to note in your organizer if the bank account is the same as last year. If your bank account has changed or we do not have it on file include a void check or check photocopy for the account you would like the refund deposited.

4) Please write down your driver’s license number and the number for your spouse if you are married. The State of Alabama wants us to include your driver’s license numbers in the electronic file to help prevent identity theft.

5) Locate those charitable donation receipts for amounts of $250 or more and put them in that tax file.

6) Take a look in your checkbook to see if you paid the estimates we set up for you last year & make a note of how much & when you paid them.

7) Put March 28, 2014 on your calendar. Please mail or bring your tax documents to your JMF accountant before that date or let us know if you prefer to get an extension.

8) Now is a good time to also start a file for 2014 taxes (you can put those charitable donation receipts in there all year long).

“Any one may so arrange his affairs that his taxes shall be as low as possible; he is not bound to choose that pattern which will best pay the Treasury; there is not even a patriotic duty to increase one’s taxes.” Judge Learned Hand – 1934