Time to Start Prepping Taxes

— -- Last minute filers — pay attention.

Even if you want to wait until April 14th to do your tax return, you really should begin the process now.Start by going through the statements coming into your mailbox and get organized.

"What I suggest is that someone have an envelope or a file that you can slip all those papers in and keep organized, so as the documents come in, you have them placed in one location," said New York tax accountant Ginger Broderick.

There are several types of forms to watch out for, from employers and banks. "You've got your W-2's from employment, your 1099's for interest, for dividends," said Don Roberts of the Internal Revenue Service. "Gather the records you might have for deductions: If you have property taxes that you paid, you paid mortgage interest, if you made donations to charitable organizations. if you had medical expenses."

Keep in mind, if you can't find them now chances are you won't be able to track them down on April 14 when the deadline is looming. At least now, you have time to request duplicates.

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