With the start of a new year we propel into the beginnings of tax season, which will last until April 15, the deadline for taxes to be completed.

Jerrold Stern, IU-Bloomington professor of accounting, says that all forms containing tax information such as W-2’s were required to be mailed to individuals by Jan. 31.

Stern says that if you are receiving a refund, filling out taxes as soon as all paperwork is obtained is the best strategy. However, if you owe money to the government, waiting until April may be a better option.

There are websites that assist in filling out taxes, they can be filled out by hand with forms from http://www.irs.gov/ or tax services are available.

Stern said there are four common reasons why a person would use a tax service instead of completing the forms at home.

“People are either fearful of making a mistake, afraid of the IRS, like the convenience of tax services or believe the preparer is better able to find deductions,” Stern said.

Stern says there is no right or wrong avenue for filing out taxes it just depends on personal preference.Stern says there are three different forms used to file taxes.The 1040EZ is the easiest, most simple return. This form is for people that do not own their own home and have a single salary with no additional income.

Form 1040, also known as the long form, is able to handle the most complex of situations.

The last form, 1040A, is more complex than 1040EZ, but more simple than form 1040. With 1040A there are restrictions such as limited types of income and adjustments to income enabled and the inability to itemize deductions, according to TurboTax.com.

Itemized deductions help taxpayers claim a larger deduction than the standard and are filed on tax form schedule A. However, one must be sure the total for itemized deductions are greater than a standard deduction, according to TurboTax.com.

Peggy Hite, IU-Bloomington tax law professor, said that many people find comfort in tax programs, though they are not a guarantee.

“Tax programs will ask questions,” Hite said. “They might mean a specific tax term that is not language we all use.”

Hite says there are free websites that are able to help people fill out their taxes such as Volunteer Income Tax Assistants (VITA). VITA has sites in Louisville, and can be located by going to the IRS’ free tax preparation site and typing in a zip code.

Stern says that for many college students the 1040EZ form is the best to use.

“1040EZ is really straight forward,” Stern said. “If there is only salary as income it is the easiest scenario.”

Missy Gentry, secondary education sophomore, said filling out her taxes was easier than she thought it would be.“I used TurboTax under my sister’s advice,” Gentry said. “I think it’s silly to pay someone to do them for you if you can do them yourself.”

Gentry said she only paid about 20 dollars to use TurboTax instead of the approximately 80 dollars it would take to go to a tax service such as H&R Block.

Stern said that if someone is worried about doing his or her own taxes, using a tax service such as H&R Block is the safest option.

“You can pay the cost of going to H&R Block to be on the safe side,” Stern said.

“Then when you see how easy it is and if you are in the same circumstance next year, you can do them yourself.”

Danielle Edds, nursing sophomore, works at Anderson Bookkeeping and Tax Co. She does secretary work, data entry, bookkeeping and payroll for small businesses. She said she believes tax services are helpful, but not necessary for small returns.

“I think the best way to do taxes is through a tax service,” Edds said. “I have seen many returns done by individuals that need to be amended, which can usually be prevented by using a tax service. However, I think there are returns that would be fine to do on your own, such as mine that contains one w-2 and nothing else.”

Taxes are difficult because tax laws are always changing, Edds said.

Click here for help with student deductions.