Life Money 5 Quick Tax Questions You Should Read Before You File Your Return Review this essential tax return information before you break out the calculator. By Real Simple Editors Real Simple Editors Facebook Instagram Twitter An article attributed to "Real Simple Editors" indicates a collaborative effort from our in-house team. Sometimes, several writers and editors have contributed to an article over the years. These collaborations allow us to provide you with the most accurate, up-to-date, and comprehensive information available.The REAL SIMPLE team strives to make life easier for you. They are experts in their fields who research, test and clearly explain the best recipes, strategies, trends and products. They have worked for some of the most prestigious brands in lifestyle journalism, including Apartment Therapy, Better Homes & Gardens, Food & Wine, the Food Network, Good Housekeeping, InStyle, Martha Stewart Living, O: The Oprah Magazine, Parents, POPSUGAR, Rachel Ray Every Day, and Vogue. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on January 29, 2023 Fact checked by Haley Mades Fact checked by Haley Mades Haley is a Wisconsin-based creative freelancer and recent graduate. She has worked as an editor, fact checker, and copywriter for various digital and print publications. Her most recent position was in academic publishing as a publicity and marketing assistant for the University of Wisconsin Press Our Fact-Checking Process Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: Nora Carol Photography/Getty Images The phrase "tax season" might make you panic, especially if you're unfamiliar with the lingo, the forms, or pretty much the entire process. Did you know the Internal Revenue Code is more than 74,000 pages? No one has time to read all of those rules. In order to successfully file your taxes this year, you must organize the necessary forms and understand the difference between deductions, exemptions, and exclusions. Feeling overwhelmed by the looming tax return deadline? Stress not—we answered five of your most pressing tax questions below. When Is the 2023 Tax Season? 01 of 05 Should I Do My Taxes Myself or Hire a Pro? That depends on how complicated your financial life is. In the previous year, if you held several jobs, earned investment income, were self-employed (either part-time or full-time), received an inheritance, or lived in several states that collected income tax, you have a fairly complex tax situation. The verdict: Hire a tax pro. But if you have a salaried job and receive W-2 income (meaning your employer withholds money from your paycheck) and you rent (so you don't have any housing deductions), your taxes are pretty basic. So take a stab at figuring them out yourself. That being said, if you wake up in the night freaking out that the IRS is going to come after you, use a tax preparer for peace of mind. 02 of 05 How Do I Pick a Tax Pro? If you don't have too many variables, using a franchised tax service (such as H&R Block) is a good option. But if your situation is complicated, hire an enrolled agent or a certified public accountant (CPA). All CPAs must complete a rigorous accounting education and be licensed in the state in which they work, giving them the ability to prepare taxes. (Although doing so isn't their only focus.) Enrolled agents, on the other hand, specialize solely in taxes. Licensed by the IRS, they must demonstrate that they are competent in all areas of taxation. To find someone to take your case, ask your friends or family for recommendations. If they don't have any, go to the American Institute of CPAs (aicpa.org) or the National Association of Enrolled Agents (naea.org) to find someone locally. 03 of 05 How Do I Pick a Tax-Prep Program? For many years, TurboTax ruled atop the Iron Throne of tax-preparation software, but now all the programs (including TaxAct.com, FreeTaxUSA.com, and HRBlock.com) are fairly comparable. Many have mobile-optimized sites and apps that will let you do your taxes on your phone. 04 of 05 What Receipts Should I Save? Keep receipts for medical expenses, charitable gifts, unreimbursed work expenses, educational or tuition expenses, tax-return-preparation expenses, and, if you're self-employed, business-related expenses (office supplies, mileage for work travel) for the previous calendar year. Keep them in a folder—physical or digital—so that they're easy to locate. 05 of 05 How Long Should I Keep Tax Returns and Receipts? You've deposited your refund, but that doesn't mean you should toss your returns and background documentation into the recycling bin just yet. The IRS has the right to review your return for up to three years, so you want to keep all your receipts as proof in case the tax agency hits you with an audit. (Chill: Less than 1 percent of taxpayers are audited each year.) Hang on to your returns forever. They don't take up much space (none, if you save them digitally), and if a lender ever asks to see them, you won't have to request a copy from the IRS, a process that could take some time. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit Sources Real Simple is committed to using high-quality, reputable sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts in our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we fact check our content for accuracy. TRAC, Syracuse University. IRA audits poorest families at five times the rate for everyone else.