 TITLE: Organize Your Finances With Our Year-End Financial Checklist CONTENT: Prepare for Tax Time\n--------------------\n*   Gather the documents you need to file your taxes, including:\n    *   Last year's tax returns.\n    *   Tax forms from employers and financial institutions including W-2, 1099, 1098 and 1095 forms. These must be mailed to you by January 31, so you may not have them yet; make a list of which ones you expect so you can be on the lookout.\n    *   Receipts supporting any tax deductions you plan to take, including medical expenses, child care expenses, educational expenses and charitable donations.\n*   Use the IRS' Tax Withholding Estimator to confirm that your employer is withholding the right amount of taxes from your wages. If you need to adjust your withholding, complete a new W-4 form for your employer.\n*   If you received unemployment benefits this year, visit the IRS website to see if they are taxable.\n*   If you expect your income to grow or shrink substantially in the coming year, talk to your tax preparer about steps you can take to reduce your taxes going forward.\n*   Before December 31, make any last-minute moves such as:\n    *   Making charitable contributions.\n    *   Using up your Flexible Spending Account (FSA). Employer deadlines for this may vary.\n    *   If you have a high-deductible health plan, consider opening a Health Savings Account (HSA). Money you contribute is tax-free; you have until April 15 of next year to contribute to an HSA for this year.\n*   If you expect a tax refund, decide how to use the money, such as:\n    *   Paying down debt\n    *   Starting or adding to your emergency fund\n    *   Contributing to a retirement account\n    *   Putting it toward next year's tax bill\n*   If you expect to owe taxes, make sure you've set aside enough money to pay them.\n*   Make an appointment with your tax preparer. END