Blog
by Angela on December 2, 2010
Not sure what to do with car registration papers? Here’s what the experts at FreedomFiler say.
SUMMARY: Keep the current proof of registration in the CAR, the paid registration renewal notice in your TAX files, and the title in your PERMANENT file. (Any extraneous registration renewal paperwork can be filed MONTHLY after completed).
Most importantly, your current proof of vehicle registration should be kept inside the glove compartment of your vehicle (along with proof of auto insurance coverage and emergency contact information). You will receive a renewal notice from your state department of motor vehicles.
An unanswered/unpaid registration renewal notice belongs in an action file, typically on your desktop to be paid immediately or before the registration deadline (use “ACTIVE” labels if necessary – e.g. “Bills To Pay”).
A completed/paid registration renewal notice is a tax deductible transaction (if you itemize deductions**), so file it in the light-blue TAX section, e.g. “Tax Documents”, “Tax Paid (Property/Sales)”, or “Other Deductions” depending on how detailed your tax categories are. (You may also be filing business or tax deductible receipts by month or vendor A-Z, if you use accounting software or a spreadsheet to categorize expenses).
The vehicle proof of registration and renewal notices should not be confused with the vehicle title transfer or closing paperwork from the time you purchased the car, filed in PERMANENT “Auto Records”. A title transfer document is especially needed if you purchase a used car, but may not be provided by a new car dealer in certain situations (i.e. when leasing a new car). When purchasing a new car from a dealer the title transfer and initial registration is handled by the dealer. For subsequent registration renewal, you will automatically receive notices in the mail.
**motor vehicle registration fees are considered personal property taxes on IRS Schedule A for itemized tax deductions.
Happy FreedomFiling!
FreedomFiler Team (FreedomFiler.com)
1-866-553-4537 (55-FILER)
If you’d like to get organized before the New Year, you can purchase FreedomFiler by clicking here. Since I am such a huge fan of the FreedomFiler I want to extend a gift to you: e-mail POSH Space to request a special coupon code to receive a discount on your FreedomFiler order.
Happy holidays from POSH Space!
Angela
by Angela on February 4, 2010
It’s February the month for love and romance. But did you know it is also archive your files month? Yes, it’s time to show your files a little love! So what does archive your files mean anyway?
If you don’t have a system in place for consistently purging and cleaning out your files on a regular basis you will probably get to a point where your file cabinet may be overflowing and stuffed with paper. If this is the case for you then you may need to archive some of the files that you do not use or need on a regular basis. If you don’t use the paper or files at least once a year then you can place the documents in a file cabinet or container in a closet, garage, attic, basement, etc. Some examples of papers you can archive include your old tax files, old tax returns, and a limited amount of mementos or memorabilia.
The files you keep nearby in your home or home office should be the files you need to get to on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. You can take this opportunity to go through all your files and shred or toss out anything that is old and out of date.
Of course I recommend using the FreedomFiler filing system to help you get started with a paper filing system that will let you know how long to keep different types of paper and has built in systems that help you know when it is time to purge items. It’s a fantastic product.
Happy archiving!
Angela
Copyright (C) 2010 Angela Ploetz, POSH Space www.theposhspace.com.
by Angela on February 11, 2009
February is officially Archive Your Files Month. How funny is that?! I actually think this is a little premature. With the majority of my clients I use a filing system called the FreedomFiler. This filing tool is unlike anything else available, trust me I have looked. With the FreedomFiler you file things based on the length of time you need to keep them. What an amazing concept! The FreedomFiler also reminds you when it is time to purge paper and in many case you are easily and effortlessly tossing paper each month. I love this because it keeps your filing cabinet from getting stuffed with old out of date information and it prevents you from having to do an annual purge of your files or from having to archive many files at all.
In fact, with the FreedomFiler the only files you are archiving are your old tax files. These files are also saved based on the length of time you need to keep them. So each year after you file your taxes you will then add your completed tax records to your archived files and you will also be removing old records and purging them. Again, this is great because it keeps you purging items each year. This promotes archiving your files after your taxes have been completed.
If you don’t have a FreedomFiler, I highly encourage you to get one, but I would advise you to be very selective on the files you are archiving. Why are you archiving the documents? Do you really need them? Will you ever reference them again? Keep in mind that 80% of the papers we file are never referenced again. My second piece of advice is to store the files you are archiving in a filing cabinet or in plastic file boxes. If possible do not store your archive files in cardboard boxes. The chances of you paper withstanding pests and water damage is higher if the paper is stored in plastic file boxes or in metal filing cabinets.
In honor of Archive Your Files Month I am extending a special discount to anyone who purchases a FreedomFiler in the month of February. This is the only time I have offered this discount! Call or e-mail me for my special coupon code if you would like to order your FreedomFiler online.
Also, now through February 28th only, if you purchase a four hour FreedomFiler Session you will receive your FreedomFiler at no charge! You will also receive a special bonus, the POSH Space Favorite Products Guide. Savings and bonuses worth $67!
A file cabinet that actually closes, now that’s the good life!
Enjoy,
Angela
Copyright (C) 2008 Angela Ploetz, POSH Space www.theposhspace.com.
by Angela on March 13, 2008
Did you know that one file drawer holds 36.73 lbs of paper? That means an entire 4 drawer file cabinet holds 146.92 lbs. of paper! When I used to work in an office we had seven full four drawer file cabinets in my secretary’s office. That’s equivalent to half a ton! Yikes! No wonder many people feel like paper is weighing them down! People often tell me that they feel a weight has been lifted after they have purged large amounts of paper.
In most cases 80% of filed documents are never referenced again. So that means most of the paper we are holding on to we will not ever need again! What great inspiration to start eliminating some of the paper.
Now’s a great time to clear out those filing cabinets and get your files in order. As most of you know, I love the FreedomFiler paper filing system and you can take a look at it on my web-site, you can even see a video of me talking about it. It’s hands down the best paper system to use in the home. I even use it in my home and my husband says “it’s husband friendly”.
Getting rid of piles of paper…what a relief!
Enjoy the good life,
Angela
Copyright (C) 2008 Angela Ploetz, POSH Space www.theposhspace.com.
