The tax deadline approaches

The deadline to file taxes in the United States this year falls on April 17 this year, with two extra days granted to those procrastinating by a local holiday in Washington, D.C.

According to the Internal Revenue Service, nearly 70 percent of Americans have already filed their taxes and the average tax refund has been $2,794, said The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Around 13 percent labeled themselves procrastinators, according to a survey conducted for American Express in March, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Those who haven't yet filed have a few options, including seeking professional help (the tax kind, not the psychiatric kind) or filing for an extension which would give them until Oct. 15 to file a return.

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If you do seek professional help for tax preparation, it is best to check whether the company has any complaints via the Better Business Bureau, or if it charges a percentage of your return as a fee. The Christian Science Monitor also reminded filers who use help to never sign a blank return and to make sure that the preparer signed the form and included his or her tax identification number (PTIN).

The Associated Press reminded last minute filers to keep deductions in mind. Contributing to an individual retirement account (IRA) would let individuals get a tax deduction, as would donating to charities.

So get those calculators and old receipts out.

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