Filing Taxes After Moving to Salt Lake City

The tax deadline is right around the corner... dun dun dun! It just kind of crept up on you, didn't it? You may have thought you had plenty of time to file your taxes, but then you started packing and moving to your new Salt Lake City home, which is time consuming. Now the deadline is looming, and you are feeling a little stressed. But don't panic! Your Salt Lake City moving and storage service providers know you can get all of your paperwork together and file in time! You will just need a few tips.

Organize before you file. Taxes involve a lot of paperwork. W-2s, pay stubs, receipts, mortgage payments, business write offs and other important (and numerous) documents can become hard to keep track of. Make sure you have everything organized before you begin the filing process, or you may overwhelm yourself. The last thing you need when time is tight is a mess of papers, so create a system!

Hatch a plan. There are several ways you can file these days. Decide which way works best for your situation, and get to it!

• Filing electronically may be the easiest and quickest way, especially when time is limited. If you make less than $60,000, you can use the Free File option the IRS provides. If not, there are plenty of online services you can use like TurboTax and H&R Block.

• Filing in-person is another good option if you are filing a bit late in the game. Find a tax professional you trust to file for you. If you make less than $33,000, are disabled, elderly, or have limited proficiency with the English language, you can qualify for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, which will provide you with free tax help.

• Filing the old fashioned way, through the mail, is still an option, but get to it! There is not much time left, so you will want to get your documents in the mail as soon as possible.

Claim your move. Take advantage of every tax break afforded to you. That means claiming your move. You just have to meet the following criteria:

• The Reason Test: You moved because of work.

• The Distance Test: Your new Salt Lake City home is at least 50 miles further from your old home than your old work was.

• The Time Test: You have worked full-time for at least 39 weeks since the move. If you have not, there are several exceptions to this rule. For instance, you can make the deduction if you expect to work at least 39 weeks following your move, if your employer transferred you, if you are laid off, if you become disabled, or if you are in the armed services and relocate for work.

Realizing you have only a short time to file your taxes can be stressful, but do not let it freak you out. You still have enough time to file, and if all else fails, you can request an extension. Now that you are moved into your Salt Lake City home, you have jumped through a big hurdle, so give yourself a pat on the back for getting through it!