One of the main attractions of a paperless office is reduced cost and greater organization.

I just print the return to PDF and keep scans of the detail/notes/client originals. All professional tax software will allow you to do this, although I do own the full Adobe Acrobat program.

I'll grudgingly admit that I still have paper files, too-- but they are collecting dust in giant fileboxes. Stacked up in my garage and home office like centipedes. I go to the PDF folder for everything and only dig into the paper records as a last resort-- I hate digging through old paper. I use a scanner for most everything, and I just have the clients fax or e-mail me their signature authorizations. My trick is simply to save the PDF files with very descriptive file names, so I can find them easily in a search. Like "Smith,Joe-1040-09" or "Smith,Joe-09-W2" it makes it easy. Once you pick a method, just use it consistently.


There's nothing the regs that says you have to give clients a paper copy of anything. I still offer a paper copy of clients request it, but honestly, it's only the old-timers that ask these days. All the clients under 40 years of age prefer the virtual copy. And they are so happy when I can e-mail them a (password protected) copy in 30 seconds, versus having to pick up at the office, or wait for snail mail. The other added benefit-- a PDF copy is free!
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