Most people live simple, quiet lives. This means that when tax season rolls around, as it has done once again, the process of filing their taxes is actually fairly easy for a majority of the working population. They can fill out paper forms or go online to a professional tax site and submit their taxes electronically, known as e-filing. The whole process can take an hour or two, depending on the size of household and specific circumstances. Since returns are processed much more quickly with e-filing, refunds can be deposited in the bank within little more than a week.

There are some people for whom taxes are more complicated. These individuals may have experienced a major life change in 2010, such as relocating for a job, buying or selling a house, or experiencing a serious illness or disability that affected their earnings. They may also simply have a more complex financial life, with investment portfolios, foreign income, and long lists of deductions requiring additional calculations.

In both of those cases, tax help is available. They can work with their regular CPA or find one who handles tax cases. They can also seek out the assistance of a professional tax preparer. These individuals will take all the financial data for the year and complete all the tax forms, schedules and worksheets that accompany a complicated return.