You Control What You Pay in Tax, it Doesn't "Happen to You".

If you pay attention and plan your tax outcomes proactively, there are many things you can do to reduce your tax bill.  But the planning and the resulting activities that you need to engage in to achieve those outcomes are all year-round action you must take, not just things to do the week before you file.  Start by opening your calendar and marking a day each month to spend an hour on your taxes.  That's 12 hours a year.  If when you file your taxes those year-round activities saved you $1,500, then you were "paid" $125. an hour, which is worthwhile!  If you saved $10,000 in taxes, that would be $833 per hour.  Sign me up for that job!