Top tax season tips to avoid stress and stay organized

Filing taxes doesn’t have to be stressful. Use these tax season tips and advice from our behavioral scientist to navigate filing with confidence.

Stressed out by taxes? You’re not alone. A majority (56%) of Americans say they dislike filing taxes, according to the Pew Research Center. We spoke to behavioral scientist Yasmin Ghodse-Elahi about techniques to help you get over the finish line and put what can feel like a monumental task behind you. Read on for tips on how to make tax season less stressful this year. 

1. Do some prep work.

One reason people find taxes stressful is because there can be a lot of uncertainty baked into the process, says Ghodse-Elahi. “If your income has changed, or if you got married or experienced unemployment, you might not be sure what forms you have to fill out. We know from behavioral science that people have an aversion to uncertainty. We like to be able to predict the world around us.”

Reduce that uncertainty by taking time to read about what’s new for taxes this year, then gathering your materials. We recommend creating a folder for each of the following categories so that it’s easy to sort your paperwork when the time comes:

• Income documents (W-2 and 1099 forms, income from rental properties, etc.)
• Deduction and credit items (childcare expenses, charitable donations)
• Life change papers (marriage or birth certificates)
• Other

Knowing that you have everything you need to get started will help make the process feel less overwhelming. For more information about which forms and documents you’ll need, visit the U.S. Bank tax resource center for a list of important tax documents. 

2. Arm yourself with tools to make filing easier.

Make a game plan for tackling your taxes. Everyone’s needs are different, so take some time to think about what suits you best. Here are the three main options:

• File your own taxes for free. If you’re the DIY type, filing your own taxes might make sense for you, especially if you have what’s considered a simple tax situation. If your income mainly consists of paychecks from your regular job, for example, or you don’t own a home or have children, you may prefer to handle your own filing.  The government now offers a free online filing tool for those who want to file electronically without any fees, and free tax filing support for people who are older than 60, disabled or otherwise qualified.

• Use a tax filing software like TurboTax. Need help with your taxes, or prefer the confidence of being guided through the process? U.S. Bank clients can get 20% off TurboTax, whether an expert files for you, you file with expert help, or you file on your own.   TurboTax guarantees 100% accuracy and your maximum refund.  

• Hire a tax pro to file for you. People with a more complex tax situation may benefit from hiring a professional to file for them. For example, if your household pulls in a mix of freelance income, Social Security and wages, you might want the guidance that a tax expert can provide. Or if you’re a parent and small business owner unsure of which deductions and credits you’re eligible for, it may make sense to hire someone. Any professional with an IRS preparer tax identification number (PTIN) can file for you; however, there are different levels of expertise among tax preparers. Do your research to find a reputable tax preparer and avoid tax preparation scams. 

3. Get an accountability buddy.

Engaging someone who knows the goal you’re trying to achieve and can keep you on track is useful for all sorts of goals including filing taxes, says Ghodse-Elahi. “The great thing about taxes is that everyone’s doing them. Try doing them alongside a friend as a shared goal. Shared goals can be powerful.”

Similarly, saving an activity or treat you enjoy for tax time can help make filing more pleasant, like listening to your favorite podcast or ordering takeout to eat while you’re working.

4. Split the task into smaller milestones.

While there’s no one right way to tackle your taxes, Ghodse-Elahi recommends creating smaller goals along the way to help you stay motivated. “There are benefits to splitting up a large task,” she says. “Big tasks can cause us to procrastinate. It’s also hard to feel motivated when you have a huge goal and don’t feel like you’re making progress toward it because it’s so monumental. Creating milestones or smaller tasks can help you gain motivational momentum to propel you across the finish line.”

Taxes are due April 15, 2025, but the government starts accepting and processing tax returns in late January. Starting early will allow you time to make adjustments if any new credits or deductions arise in the process. Here’s an example of how you might break up the task of filing taxes into smaller goals.

Goal 1: Gather your documents (January/February). W-2 forms and other common documents will begin arriving in January. Put them in a dedicated folder so you’ll be ready when it’s time to file.

Goal 2: Decide on a strategy – and book it (February). Take some time to decide how you want to file. If you’re using a tax prep provider like TurboTax, create an online account and get started (or download to your device and make sure it’s installed properly).  Hiring a pro? Call or make an appointment online.  

Goal 3: File your taxes (March/April). If you’re filing with a tax prep provider like TurboTax , you don’t have to complete your taxes all in one sitting. Keep track of your username and password   so you can easily log back in the next time you’re ready to work on your taxes.

Or create a set of goals that makes sense for you. The key, Ghodse-Elahi says, is to make the milestones the right size: significant without being overwhelming. “If the milestones are too small, you may not feel like you’ve gotten anything done.” 

5. Reframe your mindset.

“People who are moving toward a goal with a positive outcome generally have more success than those trying to avoid a negative one,” says Ghodse-Elahi. “Reframe it in your mind as ‘It’s going to feel so good when I’m finished’ or ‘I’m going to get myself that thing I wanted.’ Or throw a little party!”

Looking forward to a reward can be motivational, but there’s also value in knowing that you’re making life easier for your future self. Once you’ve got your game plan in place, you can avoid needless uncertainty and find success by using that strategy in years to come. You can do it!

Navigate tax season with confidence.

Tax season may have its challenges, but with the right plan, it doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Plus, in addition to the feelings of accomplishment you’ll experience for a job well done, you may have a tax refund to look forward to. Anticipate how you might use that money to positive effect – by making a purchase you’ve been saving up for, paying off debt or putting it into a savings account that offers higher rates and better benefits, such as a U.S. Bank Smartly® Savings account.