Tip: Get help filing taxes from AARP

As of last Tuesday, you should have received all your W-2 and 1099 statements for the 2011 tax year. Time to gather them up and see how much you owe or how much you're getting back.

While you may have paid your fair share of taxes, you won't have to pay anything to get your federal and state taxes prepared and filed electronically. You can find AARP-sponsored Tax-Aide sites at scores of local libraries and community centers. The Tax-Aide program, which is focused on helping low- and moderate-income earners and, especially, filers 60 and older, is run with help from the IRS.

To find a Tax-Aide site, go to aarp.org/taxaide or call 888-227-7669. Make sure to check the website for the list of documents you should bring with you. You don't have to be an AARP member to use the Tax-Aide service.