The last quarter of any year is a busy one for anyone who wants to get a jump on tax planning and preparation. With holidays and shopping competing for your attention it’s easy to lose your focus on long-range financial planning. However, for those who can set aside time to review their finances, the advantages gained are many.

Today young workers are encouraged to start savings and asset building strategies as early as possible. A valuable asset to most individuals is their retirement account. A common question is whether to choose a traditional (tax-deferred) or a Roth option. 

Summer is the season for tax audits. You may have forgotten all about the tax preparation process of last winter. Realistically, the chances for an individual audit are low - around 0.6 percent or about one in every 160 returns. However, tax preparers advise that it’s important for their clients to be aware of the triggers. Here are the things that the professionals pay attention to as they prepare your tax return: