Time is running out to file your taxes on time. Local financial professional Barry Bigelow from Great Waters Financial stopped by the studio with tips to improve tax strategies and how to make future tax seasons less stressful.

If you haven’t filed your taxes yet, Barry recommends dropping everything that you are doing and get it done, especially if you think you are going to need the assistance of a professional.

There are going to be situations that happen where you can’t get stuff, whether it’s a form or something else that gets in the way. If that is the case, you need to file an extension by the 15th. But if you are going to owe taxes, the money is due by the 15th. You have to send in the money even if you haven’t filed your return completely.

To set yourself up for success in future tax seasons, you want to look to the future and make a plan and stick to it. Take a look at last year’s tax return and ask yourself if it went the way you wanted it to go. Did you withhold enough? Too much?

Barry Bigelow joins GMN every Monday at around 6:30 a.m. to discuss financial tips and planning for the future.