If you’ve ever found yourself staring aghast at a mountain of crumpled receipts the week before taxes are due, you’re not alone. Especially if you’re a person who avoids numbers, spreadsheets, and/or taxes like the plague, organizing tax paperwork can feel like trying to alphabetize soup.

ADD/ADHD Makes Taxes Even Harder

For people with attention-deficit disorders, it’s even worse. A recent national survey commissioned by Ohio State University found that 25% of respondents suspect they may have undiagnosed ADD/ADHD. That’s a lot of people who might be struggling silently with things like paperwork, deadlines, and financial organization.

As someone who works closely with artists and creatives, I see this all the time — but let’s be clear: this challenge isn’t limited to artists. ADD/ADHD doesn’t discriminate, and tax overwhelm is a nearly universal experience for anyone who has to track expenses and keep receipts.

So, why is tax season so tough for our brains?

  • Out of sight, out of mind. Receipts get shoved into pockets, purses, or random drawers, only to resurface months later.
  • Task paralysis. The thought of sorting everything feels so overwhelming that it’s easier to do nothing until the deadline is breathing down your neck.
  • Time blindness. April might seem far away… until suddenly, it’s not.

Read: Missed the tax deadline? Here’s what to do

But here’s the good news: you don’t need to overhaul your personality to get through tax season with less stress. If you suspect you may be experiencing ADD/ADHD – or if you have a localized version of it that only affects piles of tax documents — some small systems to battle your wandering focus and aversion can make all the difference.

Tips to Tame the Tax Paperwork Monster:

  1. Create a “drop zone.” Instead of scattering receipts, designate a single basket, folder, or even a large envelope where everything goes. The simpler and more visible, the better. It’s important that this zone be easy to access: you want to minimize the friction of saving your documents.
  2. Go digital right away. Snap a quick photo of receipts with your phone as soon as you get them. There are apps that can help, but even a dedicated photo album called “Taxes” works wonders. But only do this if you can stay consistent! There’s nothing worse than not knowing what’s been digitized and what hasn’t, and ending up going through everything twice.
  3. Schedule tiny money dates. Instead of one overwhelming marathon, set a recurring 15-minute weekly reminder to look at your receipts and upload or file them. Small bites are easier to digest.
  4. Color-code or label visually. Bright folders, sticky notes, or even a simple “Income” and “Expenses” bin system can help distracted brains find things faster.
  5. Reward yourself. Pair the boring task with something enjoyable — a favorite playlist, a fancy coffee, or a small treat afterward.

Practices for a Smoother Year Ahead:

  • Automate where you can. Link your bank and credit card transactions to a bookkeeping app so you don’t rely solely on receipts.
  • Keep categories broad. Don’t worry about getting it perfect — “supplies,” “travel,” “meals” is enough detail for most people.
  • Check in quarterly. A short review every few months is far less painful than a mountain of paper at the end of the year.

Tax paperwork may never be fun, but it doesn’t have to be panic-inducing either. With a few well-chosen systems, next April can feel a whole lot lighter.

Read: Why Good People File Their Taxes Late

Need help with your pile of receipts? Ready to file? Get in touch.