Tax season is upon us. For some people it can be nerve-racking and stressful, for others there’s nothing to it. As long as you have everything in order, there shouldn’t be anything to worry about.

It seems like every day I’m getting a 1099 in the mail from networks. Adbrite (yes I still have a method to make money with Adbrite) sent me a 1099 last week, but also sent me an email saying the 1099 I received had incorrect earnings listed and they would be sending me a new one before February 15. Did anyone else get this same error from Adbrite?

Last year was the first time I ever hired a professional tax accountant to do my taxes. He’s a local guy with a company in the city I live and has a great reputation. I was extremely pleased with the way he prepared everything for my 2007 tax filings. My 2008 tax filings will be even more complicated, so I will be using the same accountant again.

About a week or so ago, he sent me like a 50 page tax preparation packet. The packet asks some of the generic questions that the online/TurboTax software asks, but it’s nice because he has already filled in some info from my prior taxes. Plus I can write in explanations/questions on the document. You can’t do this if you file online. My accountant is good at staying in contact with me and making sure everything is in order. Once I get my corrected Adbrite 1099, I’ll be ready to send off the tax preparation packet and all my 1099s and w-2’s.

Three things that changed in 2008 that affect my taxes are:

1. I got married

Getting married allows you to file jointly with your spouse. I’m no CPA, but I think there are tax savings that come from being married.

2. I formed an LLC

Gotta make sure all my business expenses are in order (new computer, advertising expenses, servers/hosting, domains, etc). There are so many things you can deduct. Just make sure you have all the receipts to back it up. I also have to file a report with the state of Florida for my business. It’s a lot of work, but the protections are worth it.

3. I bought a house

Once again, I don’t know much of the tax code, but there are plenty of deductions that come with owning a home… mortgage interest, having energy-star appliances, etc.

In addition to those three things, there are so many other deductions out there that can help you save money and reduce how much you owe Uncle Sam. Tax programs and websites just don’t lay all those deductions out there for you.

Good luck to everyone paying taxes. It’s a necessary evil that we all have to endure.