Tax season runs between January 1 and April 15. Depending on your filing status you may need to look up more paperwork for your tax return. The most basic filing requires your previous year tax income and a form 1040. However if you want to file an itemized deduction of things bought throughout the year and get credit for them, then be prepared to have enough paperwork that will no longer fit in a shoe box. With the new year you should receive a summary of your tax contributions for the previous year from your employer, loan holder or any financial institution where you have bonds, mutual funds, etc. Any earnings you received from gambling as well should be included in the form.

Filing out a 1040 form can be fairly easy or complex, depending on what you are filing. There is a booklet with instructions on how to go step-by-step in filling out the form. Just make sure that for each line you follow the instructions carefully and do not get confused. If you prefer not to file your taxes on your own, there are other ways you can get them done. In each city there are volunteers set up to help you out. These are people who know their way around the form and can answer any question you have pertaining to your taxes and your return. However another way to get it filed is by going to a accountant who will charge you to file your taxes on your behalf.

Once your tax form is filled out, make sure you make copies of all the paperwork you are sending into the IRS. That way with a copy of everything you have a backup plan in case something happens to your form and they need you to resend something. Once the taxes have been filed, you can just relax and look forward to your return, that is, if you are to receive a return. Sometimes the return can take between 3-5 weeks. Otherwise it is fairly quick. If you entered your bank details on the form, then you should have a direct deposit in your account. If not, then you will receive a check in the mail, which you can cash.