Income tax time can be a nightmare for many people. Being hooked to the Internet, however, makes life a little easier. You can find answers to your income tax questions, download tax forms, and even find tips on ways to save money on your taxes.

We'll begin with Promises Kept: The 1997 Tax Law. Learn the details of the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997, which is considered of major significance since it provides the first real tax cuts since 1981 while fulfilling campaign promises made by both parties. View tax cuts for individuals, principal tax increases, and other key provisions of the law.

It's so easy to forget a deduction, with everything else we have to remember when completing our taxes, and that's where 50 Overlooked Deductions comes in. The handy table will remind you of easily overlooked deductions, such as cleaning and laundering services while traveling, or depreciation of home computers.

The Ernst & Young Tax and Financial Planning Corner offers a variety of help for taxpayers, including a listing of the 25 most common errors that taxpayers tend to make, important reminders before filing, and even selected IRS tax forms and publications. The site also features helpful financial planning resources, such as retirement planning tips and a worksheet that will help you calculate your net worth.

How about a site that boasts as being, "The most powerful free online U.S. tax calculation program and 1040 preparation aid on the Web"? NetTax '9X is a free program that calculates your federal income taxes online. You can download forms from the site as well.

Find your state tax forms online at Tax Forms.

Current year federal tax forms and instructions as well as forms and instructions for prior years can be obtained through the Forms and Publications section of the IRS website. The site also provides IRS links to taxpayer help and education, tax statistics, and tax information for persons and businesses.

The IRS also offers a very useful page called Tax Trails, which provides a wide variety of questions and answers to topics such as Does The 50% Limit Apply To Your Expenses, or Do You Have To Use Form 8615 To Figure Your Child's Tax?

Need help in surviving a tax audit? Want to know how to prevent tax problems? Then visit Tax Help Online where you'll learn up-to-date tax information on a variety of subjects.

The purpose of Tax Worldis to disseminate tax information from around the world to Internet users. Learn a history of taxation or where you can take online tax courses. Read highlights of the new tax law, or find 1997 tax forms.

Essential Links to Taxes offers a wide assortment of tax links in categories such as major tax sites, tax information, forms, international taxes, tax tips, and tax software.

Robin Nobles is a freelance writer who can be reached at robinnobles@robinsnest.com.

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