9 Ways To Cut Down on Paper Usage this Tax Season
Every year billions of trees are cut down around the world because of taxes. By
making simple errors such as losing your W-2 and requesting to have another one
printed, you can contribute to this problem. The Roni Deutch Tax Center™ keeps up
with the latest technology to reduce paper usage and also recommend all taxpayers
consider the following 9 tips to stop wasting paper this tax season.
1) Keep all important documents and tax forms in a designated file, drawer, or even
box.
As long as they are safe, and you know where they are, you will avoid needing to
request duplicate copies.
2) E-file your state and federal income returns.
Almost all levels of the government make it easy for you to e-file you income taxes.
Many taxpayers with simple returns can even
e-file them free.
This will only apply to business owners and self-employed taxpayers and it is important
to remember throughout the year. You can also prepay a tax payment and then not
have to worry about the future tax returns at all.
4) Save copies of online purchases on CD-R and thumb drives instead of printing
them out.
You will only need the printed copy if you have an audit. Otherwise you can just
store the data electronically.
5) Use software or electronic payments for payroll taxes.
If you have to make payroll payments – either for business or household employees
– you should always make these payments over the telephone or online.
6) Use a virtual fax instead of a fax machine that prints out on paper.
Most faxes these days are merely records of a transaction anyway. Moreover, if you
do need to sign and return something, you can just print the fax out.
7) If you intend to buy a new car, consider making the purchase online.
In addition, you can electronically file all related vehicle taxes and registrations.
8) Paper has two-sides: use both!
When you are printing long documents, always remember to print on both sides of
each piece of paper. If everyone followed this rule, we could literally cut paper
usage by half.
9) Print preview before every print.
So much paper is wasted on printer errors that could have been caught by simply
taking two seconds to check the preview.