The holidays have come and gone, and it's time to make up for the excesses of the season. Most of us are starting the year wanting to lose weight and gain money. I can't help you with the weight, but I can help you keep more hard-earned cash in your pocket. How? By getting your tax life organized.

Here is what you can do right now to get prepared for the coming tax year.

Keep Your Records 
Every single item you claim on your taxes must be backed up by documentation. By keeping neat, organized and complete records, you'll be ready to claim every deduction and credit you've got coming. If you don' t have the document, you can't claim the expense; and that can cost you a ton of money.

Many people run into trouble because they don't know what to keep or for how long. For tax purposes you should keep and file the following:

How long do you need to keep your tax documents? Generally the IRS has three years from the date of filing to audit any tax return. So at the very least, you need to keep all tax documents--including your backup documentation--for three years.

Get Organized
So what do you do with all the items that you need to keep? My secret to organization: Keep it simple! The simpler the system, the more likely you'll stick with it. Keep all your tax-related documents in one place, like a file cabinet at home or at the office.

I recommend organizing your financial documents based on your tax forms. So for business owners, grab a Schedule C and a stack of file folders (If you're computer-savvy, create a series of computer folders. Just be sure you back up your files.). Now label each folder according to Schedule C.

For example, when you create folders to keep track of your business expenses, you would want folders for each of the following categories:

File every single receipt, invoice and canceled check as soon as you receive it, and you will be armed and ready to take advantage of every taxable deduction available.

Make a Schedule
Timing is everything when it comes to taxes. So at the beginning of the year, pull out your calendar and start marking dates. At a minimum, you need to mark your estimated tax payment due dates (January 15, April 15, June 15 and September 15) and your filing deadline (March 15 for corporations; April 15 for most small businesses). If you have employees, you should mark January 31 as the due date for sending out all W-2s and 1099s, and the dates all payroll taxes are due (depends on your payroll schedule).

Why is the calendar so important? I can sum that up in one word: penalties. The IRS charges penalties on any late tax payments--and penalties stink. Late penalties can add as much as 25 percent to your total tax bill, and that's nothing to sneeze at. Put reminders on your calendar now and avoid costly penalties all year long. This isn't just a new year; 2010 marks a new decade! Let's make a resolution to do things differently. That means you need to keep your records, get organized and make your calendar your new best friend. And that way, 2010 can be your best, most financially rewarding tax year yet.