Even if your 2014 refund hasn't hit the mailbox yet, it's time to get a jump on your 2015 taxes.

What does the phrase "tax planning" mean to you?

1. Hurriedly giving charitable donations in December to try to knock down your total income tax obligation
2. Setting aside time for tax preparation as soon as your tax forms come in after the first of the year
3. Making tax planning a year-round element of your larger financial planning

There's nothing wrong with the first two here, but we also hope you're practicing #3. If not, here are five ways you can do that.  [MORE] . . . 

You may need copies of your filed tax returns for many reasons.  For example, they can help you prepare future tax returns. You’ll need them if you have to amend a prior year tax return.  You often need them when you apply for a loan to buy a home or to start a business.  You may need them if you apply for student aid. If you can’t find your copies, the IRS can give you a transcript of the information you need, or a copy of your tax return.  Here’s how to get your federal tax return information from the IRS:

• Transcripts are free and you can get them for the current year and the past three years.  In most cases, a transcript includes the tax information you need.
  

• A tax return transcript shows most line items from the tax return that you filed.  It also includes items from any accompanying forms and schedules that you filed.  It doesn't reflect any changes you or the IRS made after you filed your original return.
  

• A tax account transcript includes your marital status, the type of return you filed, your adjusted gross income and taxable income. It does include any changes that you or the IRS made to your tax return after you filed it.
  

• You can get your free transcripts immediately online.  You can also get them by phone, by mail or by fax within five to 10 days from the time IRS receives your request.
  

- To view and print your transcripts online, go to IRS.gov and use the Get Transcript tool.
- To order by phone, call 800-908-9946 and follow the prompts. You can also request your transcript using your smartphone with the IRS2Go mobile phone app.
- To request an individual tax return transcript by mail or fax, complete Form 4506T-EZ, Short Form Request for Individual Tax Return Transcript. Businesses and individuals who need a tax account transcript should use Form 4506-T, Request for Transcript of Tax Return.

• If you need a copy of your filed and processed tax return, it will cost $50 for each tax year. You should complete Form 4506, Request for Copy of Tax Return, to make the request. Mail it to the IRS address listed on the form for your area. Copies are generally available for the current year and past six years. You should allow 75 days for delivery. 
  

• If you live in a federally declared disaster area, you can get a free copy of your tax return. Visit IRS.gov for more disaster relief information.

Some people are surprised to learn they’re due a large federal income tax refund when they file their taxes. Others are surprised that they owe more taxes than they expected.  When this happens, it’s a good idea to check your federal tax withholding or payments.  Doing so now can help avoid a tax surprise when you file your 2013 tax return next year.

Here are some tips to help you bring the tax you pay during the year closer to what you’ll actually owe.

Wages and Income Tax Withholding

• New Job.   Your employer will ask you to complete a Form W-4, Employee's Withholding Allowance Certificate. Complete it accurately to figure the amount of federal income tax to withhold from your paychecks.
• Life Event.   Change your Form W-4 when certain life events take place.  A change in marital status, birth of a child, getting or losing a job, or purchasing a home, for example, can all change the amount of taxes you owe.  You can typically submit a new Form W–4 anytime.
• IRS Withholding Calculator.   This handy online tool will help you figure the correct amount of tax to withhold based on your situation.  If a change is necessary, the tool will help you complete a new Form W-4.

Self-Employment and Other Income

• Estimated tax.  This is how you pay tax on income that’s not subject to withholding. Examples include income from self-employment, interest, dividends, alimony, rent and gains from the sale of assets.  You also may need to pay estimated tax if the amount of income tax withheld from your wages, pension or other income is not enough. If you expect to owe a thousand dollars or more in taxes and meet other conditions, you may need to make estimated tax payments.
• Form 1040-ES.  Use the worksheet in Form 1040-ES, Estimated Tax for Individuals, to find out if you need to pay estimated taxes on a quarterly basis.
• Change in Estimated Tax.  After you make an estimated tax payment, some life events or financial changes may affect your future payments.  Changes in your income, adjustments, deductions, credits or exemptions may make it necessary for you to refigure your estimated tax.
• Additional Medicare Tax.  A new Additional Medicare Tax went into effect on Jan. 1, 2013. The 0.9 percent Additional Medicare Tax applies to an individual’s wages, Railroad Retirement Tax Act compensation and self-employment income that exceeds a threshold amount based on the individual’s filing status. 
• • Net Investment Income Tax.  A new Net Investment Income Tax went into effect on Jan. 1, 2013.  The 3.8 percent Net Investment Income Tax applies to individuals, estates and trusts that have certain investment income above certain threshold amounts. 

During the summer, you may not think about doing your taxes, but maybe you should.  Some of the expenses you’ve paid over the past few months might qualify for money-saving tax credits or deductions come tax time.  If you organize your tax records now, you’ll make tax filing easier and faster when you do them next year.  It also helps reduce the chance that you’ll lose a receipt or statement that you need.

Here are some tips from the IRS on tax record keeping.

• You should keep copies of your filed tax returns as part of your tax records.  They can help you prepare future tax returns. You’ll also need them if you need to file an amended return. 
• You must keep records to support items reported on your tax return.  You should keep basic records that relate to your federal tax return for at least three years.  Basic records are documents that prove your income and expenses.  This includes income information such as Forms W-2 and 1099.  It also includes information that supports tax credits or deductions you claimed.  This might include sales slips, credit card receipts and other proofs of payment, invoices, cancelled checks, bank statements and mileage logs.
• If you own a home or investment property, you should keep records of your purchases and other records related to those items.  You should typically keep these records, including home improvements, at least three years after you have sold or disposed of the property. 
• If you own a business, you should keep records that show total receipts, proof of purchases of business expenses and assets.  These may include cash register tapes, bank deposit slips, receipt books, purchase and sales invoices.  Also include credit card receipts, sales slips, canceled checks, account statements and petty cash slips.  Electronic records can include databases, saved files, emails, instant messages, faxes and voice messages.
• If you own a business with employees, you should generally keep all employment-related tax records for at least four years after the tax is due, or after the tax is paid, whichever is later.
• The IRS doesn’t require any special method to keep records, but it’s a good idea to keep them organized and in one place. This will make it easier for you to prepare and file a complete and accurate return.  You’ll also be better able to respond if there are questions about your tax return after you file.

It’s a good idea to have all your tax documents together before preparing your 2012 tax return. You will need your W-2, Wage and Tax Statement, which employers should send by the end of January. Give it two weeks to arrive by mail.

If you have not received your W-2, follow these three steps:

1. Contact your employer first.  Ask your employer – or former employer – to send your W-2 if it has not already been sent. Make sure your employer has your correct address.

2. Contact the IRS. After February 14, you may call the IRS at 800-829-1040 if you have not yet received your W-2. Be prepared to provide your name, address, Social Security number and phone number. You should also have the following information when you call:

• Your employer’s name, address and phone number;

• Your employment dates; and

• An estimate of your wages and federal income tax withheld in 2012, based upon your final pay stub or leave-and-earnings statement, if available.

3. File your return on time. You should still file your tax return on or before April 15, 2013, even if you have not yet received your W-2. File Form 4852, Substitute for Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement, in place of the W-2. Use the form to estimate your income and withholding taxes as accurately as possible. The IRS may delay processing your return while it verifies your information.

If you need more time to file you can get a six-month extension of time. File Form 4868, Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File US Individual Income Tax Return.  If you are requesting an extension, you must file this form on or before April 15, 2013.

If you receive the missing W-2 after filing your tax return and the information on the W-2 is different from what you reported using Form 4852, then you must correct your tax return. File Form 1040X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return to amend your tax return.