If you plan to use an accountant, get an appointment today. The following list of questions will help you evaluate the specialists.
http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/advice/19990609c.asp

The best place to find an accountant is through other writers and authors you know. Try to find someone who works with authors and knows the types of deductions commonly taken.

You can also use Yahoo! yellow pages (search for "accountant") and maps to find an accountant in your area:

For our international subscribers, read the US Tax Guide for
Aliens to determine if you need to file income tax on money
earned from US sources:
http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p519.pdf

Yahoo! also has resources for Canada, UK, Ireland, Germany and Korea:
http://taxes.yahoo.com/intl.html

1)  The Writer's Pocket Tax Guide online at
http://foolscap-quill.com/wptginfo.html

or get a tax guide to help you. Last  year I read Taxes for Dummies, a huge volume which tries to make the boring subject of taxes a little more fun (chapter 8 is entitled The Rest of the 1040 and Other Yucky Forms). 

2)  Tax guru, Julian Block: Tax Tips For Freelance Writers, Photographers and Artists also has an ebook for you.  The book answers those tricky freelance questions like "Can I record unpaid income as bad debts?" and "What if my 1099 includes
reimbursed expenses?" He also explains some of the 2003
tax law changes and how freelancers can use depreciation.

One of the biggest hurdles for freelancers is maintaining a
business status. Block explains what's important to
consider, how to get free help from the IRS and how to
legitimately hire your children to help with your business.

I particularly like how this book addresses some of the
most complicated issues facing freelancers today. To get
your copy, send $9.95 for an e-mailed copy or $14.95 for a
postpaid, printed copy to Julian Block, 3 Washington Sq.,
#1-G, Larchmont, NY 10538.
  

Gather anything you are missing. At a minimum, for your writing business, you need receipts showing how much income you earned and how much you spent on expenses. You should also have records of your queries and submissions.
  

If you are not using an accountant, will you do your taxes with a software or by hand? 

Or get paper copies of the necessary forms at your local library or from:
http://taxes.yahoo.com/fedforms.html
http://taxes.yahoo.com/stateforms.html

We use TurboTax, and it really cuts down on the headaches involved in math mistakes and the writing and erasing. Plus I love the interview feature that asks me questions to walk me through the return. 
   

Sit down, and start entering! And plan lots of chocolate breaks. 

Read these tips to avoid an audit
http://taxes.yahoo.com/tips/filing/audit.html

Finish up today. Fill in any holes, do a final review, check your social security numbers, and make sure you sign your return.

For my final review, I put last year's return next to this year's return and compare.  Where are the numbers different?  Can I explain why?  This is an easy way to spot mistakes.
  

Head to the copy center, and make copies of all your important documentation.

Don't forget to file the return so you can find it back next year.

Note the following information, and stick it in your current year's tax folder. It will help with planning for next year:

Wages, Salaries, and Tips
Total income
Adjusted gross income
Taxable income
Tax
Total refund or payment

Then get your return in the mail. 

It's over  -- time to celebrate! You are way ahead of the game and will be one of the first to get a refund.

Buy the ebook now - for only $14.95! 

A Booklocker.com and WritersWeekly.com Bestseller!