(ARA) – Despite three extra days to file, experts encourage you to do your taxes well before April 18. Taxpayers receiving a refund naturally have incentive to file now since they can receive their federal refund in as few as eight days with e-file and direct deposit. However, those who owe Uncle Sam should also file now.

“If you owe, you can still file now and pay later,” says Jessi Dolmage, spokesperson for TaxACT. “More importantly, taxes are a key part of your personal finances, and rushing through them could cost you a lot of money this year and in the long run. Luckily, you don’t have to go it alone and doing your taxes doesn’t have to be painful. Today’s solutions make it easy, whether you know nothing or a lot about taxes.”

Besides not procrastinating, Dolmage shares simple and smart tax tips for everyone.

* Put it all in one place. Gather your W-2s, 1099s and other tax documents. Have a copy of last year’s return handy as well for comparison and your adjusted gross income that can be used for e-filing.

* Don’t be a dunce. The Internal Revenue Source rejects millions of returns each year because of silly errors involving transposed characters, incorrect math and filing status. Double check names, addresses and birth dates. Social security numbers on your return should match social security cards. If you’re using software or an online solution, use import features to decrease these errors.

* Chose your software or online solution wisely. Not all tax preparation solutions are created equal, especially when it comes to free ones. For example, many free solutions exclude forms for complex returns with itemized deductions, investment income and capital gains and losses. Others provide minimal help and tools. TaxACT Free Federal Edition includes all the forms needed to e-file, unlimited e-mail help, maximum refund and accuracy guarantees, and imports of last year’s tax data from PDFs prepared by 11 solutions – for free.

* Get with the times – e-file. It’s no wonder nearly 70 percent of taxpayers e-filed their federal returns last year. Unlike paper filers, you’ll know if the IRS accepted or rejected your return within 48 hours. E-file is also the fastest way to get refunds – in as few as eight days with direct deposit. If you owe, e-file now and pay later via credit or debit card, or a scheduled automatic withdrawal any time before or on April 18. You can also schedule payments using the IRS’ free Electronic Federal Tax Payment System.

* Remember your state return. Most states pushed their filing deadline to April 18, but a few did not. If your state changed the filing date, it may not have changed estimated tax payment dates. The solution you used for your federal return likely offers a state solution, so let the software transfer your information to state forms to save time and reduce possible data entry errors.

* If you file an extension, pay now. File IRS Form 4868 for an automatic six-month filing extension comes free with TaxACT Free Federal Edition. Pay as much of your tax obligation as possible by April 18 to minimize interest and penalties. When you’re ready, log back into TaxACT to prepare, print and e-file your federal return free before Oct. 17, 2011.

Don’t forget about 2011 taxes. Print a copy of your return and adjust your withholding via Form W-4 if needed. Top tax solutions also provide tips and tools for minimizing next year’s taxes.

Visit www.IRS.gov for more tax information, and start your free federal return at www.taxact.com.