(BPT) - It’s tax time and Americans are thinking about how they’re going to spend their tax refunds. According to the Internal Revenue Service, the average tax refund was close to $3,000 last tax season, so who wouldn’t want to get that money back in their pocket?

On the way to claiming your tax refund, here are some simple, smart choices that will help you keep more of your hard-earned money.

* Look for free online tax preparation options. If you are a taxpayer with an adjusted gross income of $57,000 or less, you can get free tax preparation through the IRS Free File Program at www.irs.gov or at TurboTax.com.