Tax time can be daunting for both first-time filers and seasoned business owners. Having a clear understanding of essential tax documents , deadlin es, deductions, and recordkeeping can simplify the process and help you avoid costly mistakes. This guide covers the fundamentals: which documents you’ll need, deciding when to hire a tax pro versus using software, key differences between W-2 and 1099 income, home-office deductions, filing deadlines and penalties, and how long to