Although taxes are due in April, you should get started in January so you'll be less flustered come tax time. Also, your W-2 will be coming in the mail, so it's the perfect time to organize your paperwork. Start prepping now so you can get your refund even sooner. Kathy Pickering, executive director of The Tax Institute at H&R Block, names the top things to know before you file a 2011 return. Read more

Many of us like to put taxes out of our minds at least until the calendar year has changed, but you'll keep next tax season's stress levels down by getting organized now. Start the slideshow to see five ways that will create a less stressful tax season in 2012. Read more

Tax day is finally here! Hopefully you're all done with yours and April 18 can be a day for you to celebrate the completion of your tedious taxes. You might be heartened to know that many businesses are cheering alongside you and are offering discounts and even some freebies today. Don't miss out on them! Read more

It sounds great to work from home, but that also means you'll have more taxes to do! Freelancers don't have their tax taken out of their pay automatically like salaried employees do, which just makes doing taxes a little more complicated. To make sure you're on the right track, Kathy Pickering, the executive director of The Tax Institute at H&R Block, shares some tax tips every freelancer Read more

Even though we've given you these great tax tips to ease your load, we all know that filing taxes can be a downer sometimes. Yesterday, I saw Twitter user kbell87 request song suggestions to help her get through her taxes, and I thought that was a brilliant idea. There's nothing like music to help you get through tough times. I found a few songs that will inspire you and some that might make you Read more

If this is the first time you're raking in the dough, all our tax tips might sound like gibberish to you. Although you hear people moaning and groaning about the yearly tax season, don't let it overwhelm you. Here is a list of tips from Kathy Pickering, executive director of The Tax Institute at H&R Block, which will put any taxpayer newbie at ease. Read more

It's hard to escape the glow of purchasing your new home and wake up to the not-so-fun paperwork of being a homeowner. For one, you'll have more taxes to file, but on the plus side, that also means more tax benefits and credits for you! Kathy Pickering, the executive director of The Tax Institute at H&R Block shares what kind of tax goodies you qualify for as a new homeowner. Read on to find Read more

When you're unemployed, there is a mountain of things to worry about, and sometimes taxes may seem like the least of your worries. But it's vital to be on top of all things taxes, so it won't give you more additional stress down the line. Here are some great tips from Kathy Pickering, the executive director of H&R Block's Tax Institute. Read more

Even celebrities have to pay taxes, and there are quite a few of them who haven't had a perfect track record with the IRS. The bad news for them is that their tax troubles will be splashed all over the news, fueling speculation and even shame. You can run, but you'll never be able to hide from Uncle Sam. Start preparing your taxes today with these tips! Read more

As soon as April 15 is past many of us like to put taxes — and everything that irked us about the tax season — out of our minds at least until the calendar year has changed. Don't let it creep up on you again. Keep next tax season's stress levels down by getting organized now. Learn how to create a less stressful tax day next time around. Read more