(BPT) - If you typically dread income tax time, remember this: Three out of four taxpayers receive a federal refund, and the average direct-deposited refund last year was $2,923.

You have almost as many tax savings opportunities as last year, thanks to the fiscal cliff-averting tax changes passed in early January. In addition to extending the lower Bush-era income tax rates for nearly all taxpayers, the American Tax Relief Act made permanent or extended dozens of tax breaks.

"This year’s tax law changes included thousands of dollars in tax benefits for working families, college students and homeowners in particular," says Jessi Dolmage, TaxACT spokesperson.