A Taxing Decision Target 3 Report

It's that time of year again.

Time to get out the pencil, paper, calculator, computer and all the forms and records and get down to work or call for help.

Having a tax service take care of this chore is easiest and quickest option for many taxpayers.

For others, it's do-it-yourself using tax software.

But according to one tax expert, using software is not always that easy.

"I used to use them and when I had to go in and make a change it took forever trying to find out where I wanted to make a correction on some of the more complicated things, " says Gene Nadeau, manager of Liberty Tax Service in Wichita

Complicated things, including rental property or a change in personal status like getting married or having a child.

So for many, like Nalley Mascoro, it's just less stressful to turn to a professional.

"Maybe I'll do something wrong and never know. The IRS. You don't mess with them. Right? You don't mess with them," Moscoro explains.

Like Mascoro, many just don't want to deal with preparing their taxes.

And experts say when it comes to doing that for returns that contain a level of complexity it can be better to get someone to do it who's well versed in all the latest tax codes.

"The hardest ones I've seen so far is vehicle use and business use of resources... trying to take home office deduction, trying to take vehicle use, different types of personal use saying they're trying to deduct them off their tax return," says Nadeau.

Regardless of how you do your taxes, experts say one thing can make a big difference when it comes to filing your return... and that is to have all the necessary receipts and documents.

"The records that you need are important to maintain. For at lease three years. If the IRS suspects fraud you have to keep them forever. They can go back as far as they want," explains Nadeau.

Tax time probably ranks at the bottom of everyone's least favorite season of they year.

"I can get hectic getting everything together. I pay child care so I've got to get all those receipts. It's hectic," says Mascoro.

But whether it's software or a service, experts say both accomplish the goal of getting your income taxes prepared so they can be filed on time.

However, experts do say what you use boils down to your personal preference.

"If you want to go through all the trouble to learn how to do it and to keep up with it or do you just want to go someplace and get it done and not think about it again until you get your refund or have to send in a check."

Mechell Dixon... KFDX 3 News.

Using a tax service may spare you some time and stress but will cost you, starting at around $30 and up, depending on the complexity of your situation.

Tax software can be much cheaper, starting around $20.

But regardless of which method you use, experts offer this advice; don't procrastinate.. start early.