The tax season is generally considered the months from January 1 to April 15. Unfortunately, this time period starts immediately after the holiday season when many people are already in stress mode. This can easily turn into a dangerous situation. According to the National Institutes of health (NIH), prolonged stress interrupts your body’s ability to function properly. The resulting problems could manifest as a mild headache or serious health problems such as high blood and heart disease. The good news is that you can take some steps to minimize your stress level during the tax season.
Be Prepared
The Scout Motto to “Be Prepared” is a good principle to follow in general. In regards to filing your taxes, it can help you alleviate the stress of the approaching deadline. Prior to the start of the tax season, the Internal Revenue Service publishes a list of changes. It is a good idea to read this information when it is available to learn if you are affected by any of the changes. If you know ahead of time that your taxes are going to be complex, schedule some time way ahead of the April 15th deadline to speak to a tax professional.
Create a Self-Imposed Deadline
The date of April 15th is one that most people know about and associate with a time of anxiety. Undoubtedly, there are very few places you can go during the tax season where people aren’t complaining, joking, or discussing the anxiety of having to file taxes. The April 15th date is the official deadline. That does not mean you have to wait until that time to file your taxes. You can have all your paperwork complete and ready to file at the beginning of the year or after you receive necessary forms from your employer.
Make it Enjoyable
Before you sit down to do your taxes, create an environment that is as pleasant as you can make it. You do not have to go as far as to surround yourself with candles (unless that is something you enjoy), but make it nice. You might consider playing some of your favorite music, wearing comfortable clothes, or choosing a day that allows you plenty of time to get the job done. If you have children at home who are at the age where they require great deal of your attention, make arrangements to keep them busy while you are preparing your taxes.
Final Thoughts
Probably the most important step you can take to de-stress during tax season is to simply relax. When it comes down to it, the anxiety and stress that you feel during the tax season is unwarranted. Unless you have certain serious circumstances, filing your taxes should not be a huge problem. If you are stress because you owe money or you are not able to file on time, there is a good chance that you may be able to use some of options that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) offers. You can find more information about these options by visiting their website (www.irs.gov).
Sources: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/stress/index.shtml
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