9 ways to make tax time less stressful (and more affordable)
Between ever-changing clean energy and child tax credits, trying to locate proof of last year’s charitable giving, and worrying whether you figured out your student loan interest deduction correctly, filing taxes can be as stressful a task as they come. But it doesn't have to be — thanks to online tax services that streamline filing and guide users through the process like pros — no knowledge of tax law needed.
Take TaxSlayer, a suite of tax preparation software that helps discern whether your side hustle requires additional reporting, which medical expenses may count as deductions, and more, via guided prompts and live chat with tax pros. Better yet, now though April 18, 2023, filers can use code HONEY25 to save 25% off federal tax return filings. It’s a no-brainer for peace of mind (and saving coin) come tax time.
Whether your strategy is taking dinner prep off the menu on tax-filing day or just having comfort food stocked for late night tax prep sessions, having the right fuel in the house is clutch come tax time. Enter Goldbelly, which stocks meals and snacks from the most crave-worthy restaurants in the country. That means having brisket from Snow’s BBQ (Texas Monthly’s top pick), Utopia Bagels from Queens, or two pies worth of New York slices from Joe’s Pizza in NYC delivered with a few clicks — and all on sale via Goldbelly.
SHOP: Joes’ Pizza New York Pizza Best Seller (2-Pack), $89.95 (was $99.95), available at GoldBelly
Can the coziest of cashmere sweaters count as a tax deduction if it’s worn exclusively while on the job and working on taxes? That’s a question best left for the accountants. One thing we know for sure: Nothing takes the sting out of adding up yearly expenses like doing it dressed in the most comfortable materials around.
SHOP: Cashmere Polo Sweater, Was $345, Now $189, available at White + Warren
Get a better read of the small print on crinkled receipts and tax code with a brighter desktop light. This lamp features a jointed body that adjusts in two places to create perfect positioning for late night tax prep. Better yet, score $100 off the style during the month of March.
SHOP: Owen Table Lamp in Satin Brass, Was $299, Now $199.99, available at lights.com
A study conducted by a Japanese fragrance firm found workers’ computer errors decreased by 54% when working in an environment scented with lemon. Secure your own olfactory edge (and maybe even cut down on typos when online filing by burning Otherland’s Extra Hour candle, which contains notes of Verbena (a dead ringer for lemon), shiso leaf, and mint. Buy it boxed with the sugar beet, grass and ginger-scented Ruby Root candle and Purple Petals (fragranced with lilac, hyacinth, and lychee) to save nearly 20%.
SHOP: Otherland Spring Awakening Collection, $89, available at Otherland
One of the best ways to power through a year’s earnings, deductions, and tax credits? Put on a pair of noise canceling headphones and drown out the family, pets, and chaos around you. This wireless pair is made with a chipset, which allows for an epic 22 hours of playback with adaptive noise canceling turned on. Prefer to rock out while calculating mileage? This over-ear model offers stellar bass performance, too.
SHOP: Beats Studio3 Wireless Noise Canceling On-Ear Headphones, Was $349.95, Now $249.99, available at Newegg
Pulling an all-nighter? Preemptively battle onset dark circles and puffiness under the eyes with a 12-pack of these fan-favorite masks, made with aloe leaf extract to help soothe skin, camu camu extract to help brighten, and calendula extract to help reduce inflammation.
SHOP: Wander Beauty Limited Edition: Baggage Claim™ Festive Fuchsia Eye Masks, $31, available at Sephora
Is your space-saving desk not quite cutting it for big jobs (like work-from-home days and sorting boxes of receipts)? Consider an upgrade with more square footage. This corner desk doesn’t eat up a ton of space but delivers more desktop surface than many designs.
SHOP: Farmhouse Corner Desk, Was $2049, Now $1434.99, available at Pottery Barn
If sitting at the dining room table revving receipts and child tax credit code is enough to make your lower back seize, release the tension with this wearable infrared device. Made with the same tech as full-body sauna blankets, this adjustable belt uses carbon fiber heating (to boost far infrared emissivity); tech to block electromagnetic field (typically generated by appliances), 96 jade and tourmaline stones (to absorb and evenly disperse heat), LED lights and, of course, infrared heat to address body pains and inflammation.
SHOP: Heat Healer Body Belt, $228 now $189, available at Poosh