In my full-time job as a school counselor, I work with middle schoolers. I teach in the classroom, conduct small groups and even see them individually to help them in their personal, social and academic lives. Hearing their stories gives me a glimpse into what is happening in our community of Portland, Tennessee. There's a lot of good, but family fragmentation (divorce) is rampant. So much pain results from a girl whose dad does not show an interest in seeing her and from a boy who has no positive adults in his life outside of school. We can't ignore this issue.

Broken homes are all too common in our world today, particularly in Sumner County with our above-the-national-average divorce rate. In 2008, there was one divorce for every 1.3 marriages, and it's getting worse. In 2009, there was one divorce for every 1.15 marriages; moving ever closer to our community netting zero marriages in a calendar year. Most people have no idea of what this is doing to our community, our children and our future, but Project Family does, and we want to do something about it.

Divorce is a financial issue since it turns a two-income family into two one-income families, who quite possibly need social assistance. This is known as the fallout of divorce and very rarely is a correlation mentioned between divorce and tax revenue, but there is one. Sumner County accounted for three percent of Tennessee's divorces in 2008, costing Sumner County taxpayers $22,710,000. There's a cost to businesses as well. For an average employee making $20/hr, the projected cost of that employee divorcing is over $8,000 with time off work and lost productivity while on the job. Divorce takes its toll on a person and a business.

Divorce is killing our children. According to a 2003 article found in the 'Journal of Divorce & Remarriage,' students from intact families maintained grade point averages 11 percent higher than those of peers from divorced families. Teen pregnancy rises among girls in fragmented homes, and they are more likely to be single moms themselves. Teens with divorced parents are 50 percent likelier to drink. Want to rise to the top, curb teen pregnancy, drug use and alcohol use? Invest in marriages and the home. Simply teaching our fifth-graders to be nice to one another will not get it done.

There is good news for taxpayers and businesses. A study done by the Marriage CoMission in 2006 has proven that when companies invest in the physical and relational wellness of their workers, returns on investment can range between $1.50 and $6.85 for every dollar spent on these types of programs. Also, Texas has allotted $15 million over two years on programs to increase stable marriage rates. If this program succeeds by just three-tenths of one percent, it will be cost effective in its returns to Texas taxpayers. It doesn't matter if you're Republican, Democrat, Baptist or Catholic; this is uplifting.

Good news for couples and their children as well. Through the findings of a major national study, happily married couples had greater skills in areas of communication, flexibility, closeness, personality compatibility and conflict resolution. An important aspect of these five areas is that they can be improved through increased education and skills acquisition. Project Family wants to make this happen.

Project Family, Inc. believes that something can be done. First Things First of Chattanooga (FTF) began in 1997, when 33 percent of Hamilton County's population had been divorced. The national average was 22 percent. As of the 2010 FTF Report Card, divorce filings are down 33 percent.

Project Family hopes to provide classes, printed materials and special events that are geared toward saving marriages and increasing father involvement in the lives of their children to help strengthen families. Whether you're a church, an individual, or a business, we hope that you'll join our efforts.

Visit dalesadler.net/projectfamily or our Facebook page to find out more. You can also call Dale Sadler (Executive Director of Project Family) at 615.513.3642 if you're doing something now or would like to do something to positively affect the family in Sumner County. Please, join us.

By DALE SADLER

Listen to Dale's live radio show Sundays at 4:30 p.m. (CST) at wqkr.com, 95.9FM or 1270AM. Dale discusses pertinent family issues with political activists, motivational speakers and fellow therapists. Visit www.dalesadler.net for more information on Dale's work with families and the non-profit, Project Family.

An exciting new restaurant concept called Deckers - the first anywhere in the United States - is being launched in Lebanon, according to the Lebanon/Wilson County Chamber of Commerce. Deckers is located at 636 South Cumberland Street, under the same roof as the recently renovated White Castle restaurant.

A grand opening celebrating the debut of Deckers is scheduled for Saturday, July 10. The day-long festivities begin at 9:30 a.m. with a ribbon-cutting ceremony featuring local officials and personalities such as David Rife, the White Castle family member who was featured in the CBS hit series "Undercover Boss." (see video at bottom of page)

Both Deckers and White Castle are owned and operated by the same company - White Castle System, Inc., based in Columbus, Ohio.

Immediately following the ribbon-cutting, the first 100 customers in line will receive a free Deckers sandwich each week for a full year!

The grand opening will feature family-oriented activities, including an appearance by country music artist Jason Meadows, runner-up on the TV talent show "Nashville Star."

Here's the schedule for the day's events:

• 9:30 a.m. - Ribbon-cutting ceremony, immediately followed by give-away of free Deckers sandwich each week for a full year to first 100 customers in line.
• 10 a.m. - Other free give-away prizes for as long as they last.
• 1 until 4 p.m. - Balloon artist and face painter.
• 1:30 until 3:30 p.m. - Live performance with country music artist Jason Meadows from 1:30 until 2 p.m., followed by a Meet 'n' Greet with Jason.
• 5 until 7 p.m. - Live performance with country music artist Danielle Peck from 5 until 6 p.m., followed by Meet 'n' Greet with Danielle.

The celebration of Deckers' opening continues during July with the give-away of a "Decorate Your Deck" prize package from Lowe's. The public is invited to stop by Deckers any time and register for the summer-time prize package, which includes a deluxe gas grill and a five-piece outdoor furniture set. The drawing takes place at Deckers on July 24, and no purchase is necessary.

For more details about Deckers, visit www.deckerssandwiches.com.

Ask photographer Amy Rich about her favorite subject to capture with her camera, and without hesitation, she'll simply reply, "Children."

"I love children. I love working with them and have always loved working with them," she said with a smile during a recent interview at her Lebanon studio. " ... I'll pose them, but then I'll wait for those moments between poses, when they're really themselves. Children are so dynamic and fluid. I love watching them."

Mother to five children, Rich describes herself as a "former hockey mom" who has always enjoyed creative activities and once worked in a daycare. A conversation with Rich reveals her love for her family and families in general.

Often times, she says, her work allows her to become a "guest member" of the families she photographs.

"It's an incredible blessing. I'll photograph someone's wedding, and later on, they'll ask me to take their pregnancy photos. Before you know it, I'm photographing their newborn baby," she said. "By the time the second baby comes around, I get invited to the baby shower. I love it."

While photography runs in Rich's blood - her great-grandfather was a photographer - she said she hadn't always planned to enter the field. Pictures had always played an important role in her life and, she added, the provide an important link to the past. Her children's memories of their grandfather can often be tied to old tin photographs of him.

"They'll say something about remembering their grandfather, and I'll think of the photograph they're talking about ... it's been so long since he passed that I'm sure many of their 'memories' are tied to those pictures," Rich, who inherited her father's camera after his death, remarked.

Rich's venture into the world of professional photography came as a result of her love for photographs and from another creative endeavor she'd always enjoyed: scrapbooking. She'd enjoyed the design elements of scrapbooking and had seen her work published, but she explained that the best scrapbookers spent much of their time focusing on the quality of their photographs.

Eventually, she gained the confidence to enter some of her photographs in the Wilson County Fair's annual photography contest. She won 'Best of Show,' and her journey toward becoming a professional photographer slowly began to take shape. She began taking classes to hone her skills behind the camera and credits much of her knowledge to dedicated mentors, including Al Ashworth of Lebanon's Custom Color.

At the request of those who had seen her work at the Wilson County Fair, Rich began taking on assignments here and there before setting up a studio in her garage. Not too long after, in August of 2009, she opened Amy Rich Photography at 706 West Main Street in Lebanon.

"I'd seen this house, and I loved this house," she said of the Lebanon home that became her studio. "It was a big decision, but it just seemed like the right time."

Since setting up shop in the studio, Rich has photographed countless brides, mothers-to-be, families and, of course, children. In October of 2009, she opened her doors to the community by taking free photographs of children in their Halloween costumes. In one day, she photographed nearly 150 little ghosts and goblins and enjoyed every minute of it.

"It was so much fun," she grinned. "It was just a fun, fun thing to do, and I'm planning to make that a yearly tradition."

And, when she's not behind the camera, Rich is either focused on learning more about her craft or working with a cause she holds close to her heart.

"I work with an organization called the Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Foundation. It's a group of photographers who work with families who have lost their babies. We work with them for free to create and edit portraits and slideshows. Those memories are deeply important to them, and we know and understand the importance of a photograph," Rich said.

By BRIAN HARVILLE

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Later this month, members of Lebanon High School's Class of 1990 will come together to celebrate their 20-year reunion. Among those in attendance will be former LHS three-sport athlete Corey Cleek, whose career in business and technology has taken him around the globe over the past two decades.

The Chattanooga-born co-founder of Uloop.com arrived in Lebanon as a first-grader at McClain Elementary School, which has since closed its doors. Cleek's family was very active in the Wilson County community; his father, Ray, served as pastor at First Baptist Church of Lebanon, and mother Gail taught Spanish, French and English at Mt. Juliet High School.

"Growing up, we housed a few exchange students, and they would ride to Mt. Juliet High School with my mother each morning," Cleek recalled.

As a youngster, Cleek developed a strong passion for sports. He grew up playing soccer before transitioning to football, baseball and basketball during his days as a Blue Devil at LHS. While he thoroughly enjoyed athletic competition, he was equally as committed to academics.

Shortly after graduating from LHS, Cleek entered the United States Air Force Academy but was medically disenrolled following basic training. From there, he relocated to Tallahassee, Fla. to attend Florida State University.

"I enjoyed going to Florida State, but ultimately I decided I was spending too much money on out-of-state tuition, so I went on to the University of Tennessee and finished up my bachelor's in accounting there," he explained.

During his summers as an undergrad, Cleek sold books door-to-door for Thomas Nelson Publishers. He enjoyed his role in sales and began working for the Nashville-based publishing company full-time after graduating from the University of Tennessee.

From there, Cleek moved on to sales positions with Nashville Life magazine and, in the late 1990s, he joined the Nashville office of Citysearch.com. His business interests soon began to evolve, and his focus moved to Internet sales and media.

"In the fall of 1998, I went to Duke University to get my MBA with an emphasis in marketing," Cleek said, noting the additional education provided him with the opportunity to intern in Seattle at Amazon.com. " ... That experience was extremely valuable. Amazon was growing rapidly at the time."

The summer internship at Amazon saw Cleek tasked with establishing relationships with new affiliate marketers as part of the company's affiliate program. Amazon offered him a job even before he'd completed his studies at Duke.

"I seriously contemplated it," Cleek said. "But, I decided it would be best to go back and finish my MBA."

Bitten by the tech bug, Cleek moved to California's storied Silicon Valley upon earning his master's degree from Duke. While there, he worked with both the national and international marketing teams assembled by Internet auction giant eBay.

"(As part of the international marketing team), I spent most of my time outside the United States. At the time, eBay was active in over 30 countries," he said, adding his involvement with Duke's GATE (Global Academic Travel Experiences) program had helped prepare him for the role.

Although travel frequently kept Cleek on the go, he still found time to indulge in a hobby that dated back to his days as a young athlete.

"When I was in college, I started keeping a list of all these sporting events I wanted to attend ... the Super Bowl, a World Series game ... a heavyweight title fight," he said. "As I moved farther into my career, the list began to grow. I've seen the Sumo Wrestling Championships in Tokyo, the Summer Olympics in Sydney ... my wife Sally and I were able to go to Wimbledon last year, and I've run with the bulls in Pamplona. My job enabled me to see a lot of places I wouldn't have gotten to see otherwise."

After five years on the West Coast, however, Cleek said he was ready to return to his family and to Middle Tennessee, noting he loved Nashville and had always "envisioned coming back at some point."

Upon returning to the mid-state, Cleek joined a Franklin-based start-up digital music company known as Passalong Networks, which counted former Microsoft executive Dave Jaworski among its founders.

"It was a great experience," he said of his time with Passalong Networks. "I was responsible for business development for the company. It was great exposure to a start-up."

One year into his post with Passalong Networks, Cleek and a few friends began brainstorming the idea for a new company that would eventually become Uloop.com. Launched in January of 2007, Uloop is an online classified website tailored to college students, a modern-day campus bulletin board which allows students to connect for free in a marketplace environment. Three years later, the site boasts roughly a half-million regular users on college campuses across the U.S.

And while Uloop provides a full-time workload for Cleek these days, he also serves as an adjunct professor at Vanderbilt University's Owen Graduate School of Management. Having visited several colleges and universities as a guest lecturer during his days at eBay, Cleek said he was excited by the opportunity to teach.

"I've just found that I really enjoy it ... I team teach Internet marketing with Erick Goss," Cleek said, noting he and Goss were former colleagues at Amazon. "It helps that Erick and I are both practitioners. We're doing every day what we're teaching."

Cleek said he continues to grow as an entrepreneur just as Uloop continues to grow into an ever more popular resource for America's college students. He added he hasn't given much thought as to what might be next in the world of Internet media.

"With the success that we're having (at Uloop), I'm just enjoying the ride," he said, "learning and growing through what we're doing."

By BRIAN HARVILLE

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The Leadership Middle Tennessee board of directors has announced it is now accepting applications for the 2011 class. Applications are due May 21, 2010.

Leadership Middle Tennessee (LMT), a regional leadership program, was founded to engage community and business leaders in the 10-county region of Middle Tennessee to focus on regional issues. Participating counties for LMT are Cheatham, Davidson, Dickson, Maury, Montgomery, Robertson, Rutherford, Sumner, Williamson and Wilson Counties. Selected class members will participate in 10 one-and-a-half day sessions during the 2010-2011 year.

Visit www.leadmt.org to obtain an application form. To be eligible for consideration into the program, applications and two letters of reference must be received in the Leadership Middle Tennessee office no later than Friday, May 21.

One class of 29 to 32 members is selected each year; the class begins in September and ends with graduation on May 21, 2011. Selection is based on leadership achievements and potential to contribute to the economic and cultural development of the Middle Tennessee region. At least one participant will be selected from each of the 10 counties involved. Participants will be chosen from a variety of occupations and levels of community and regional involvement.

LMT was founded in 1999, as an initiative of Partnership 2000, to contribute to future planned and sustainable economic and community growth and development in the 10-county area through the participation of community, non-profit, government and business leaders.

Leadership Middle Tennessee is overseen by a regional board comprised of the Leadership Middle Tennessee alums, business and community leaders. LMT operates through the Jennings A. Jones College of Business at MTSU. Jack Turner, president of Jack B. Turner & Associates, Inc., is chairman of the board; Susan Turner Taylor is executive director of the program. Questions? Call 615-904-8207 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

The Armory, Lebanon's premier high-end gun shop, is hosting an open house gun safety community weekend, offering free hot dogs and refreshments to those who come in between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. (or while supplies last) on Saturday, April 3.

Customers and non-gun owners alike are welcome to attend the event.

Families, ladies, youth and non-experienced shooters are encouraged to come by the store and receive a free mini gun-safety overview from experienced staff. Those who may never have held a gun before can come and do so in a very safe, non-loaded situation and learn the basics of handgun safety. (Safety mini lessons will be offered all day, hot dogs and refreshments are until 3 p.m. or while supplies last).

Along with refreshments, The Armory is offering special savings on several of their popular pistols. They can also schedule people for more in-depth handgun safety classes and concealed permit qualification classes. This event is to help spread awareness about handgun safety, local laws and rights and responsible gun ownership, as well as to continue strengthening The Armory's ties with the local community.

The Armory is located at 628 South Cumberland Street, in Lebanon, across from Wal-Mart.

More information on the sale, The Armory and the special savings can be found at www.thearmorytn.com or by calling the shop between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday, at 615-257-0606.

University Medical Center is pleased to announce the addition of Alpesh Patel, MD, Gastroenterologist. Dr. Patel specializes in gastroenterology and treats a comprehensive range of gastrointestinal (GI) conditions which include digestive diseases, chronic heartburn, gastroesophageal reflux disease, stomach and small bowel disorders. He treats disorders that affect the stomach, intestines, esophagus, liver, pancreas and gallbladder. In addition, Dr. Patel performs routine colon cancer screenings.

A graduate of Rhodes College in Memphis, Dr. Patel earned his medical degree from East Tennessee State University, James H. Quillen College of Medicine in Johnson City, Tenn. In 2004, he completed his residency in internal medicine at Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, S.C. He also completed a fellowship in gastroenterology at Medical University of South Carolina that included a focused training in ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography), which is a diagnostic/therapeutic procedure used to study the ducts of the gallbladder, pancreas and liver.

Dr. Patel has enjoyed a successful gastroenterologist private practice in Rockwall, Texas for the last year. Dr. Patel was a trainee member of the American College of Gastroenterology, American Gastroenterological Association, American Association of the Study of Liver Diseases, American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and American College of Physicians - American Society of Internal Medicine.

Dr. Patel's new GI practice, Middle Tennessee Gastroenterology, is located on the University Medical Center campus at 1409 Baddour Parkway, West, Suite B, in Lebanon. To schedule an appointment, please call 615-453-8200.

(ARA) - Given the state of the U.S. economy, you might assume that turning your hobby into a small business right now isn't the best idea. On the contrary, launching your own small business in a down economy can be a very smart move -- if you plan in advance and set yourself up for success from the start.

Here are 10 tips that all budding entrepreneurs can follow to make their dreams of owning a small business a reality in 2010:

1. Develop a business plan

While preparing a business plan is a requirement for any small business owner seeking to raise start-up funding through a traditional loan or venture capital, every business can benefit from this practice. Your business plan should define your business, its products and services, while outlining your business goals, operating procedures and competition.

2. Consider incorporating your business or forming an LLC

While many small businesses choose never to incorporate, there are many benefits to doing so. "Incorporating your business or forming a limited liability corporation (LLC) is important because it helps protect your personal assets from business debts and liabilities," says Karen Kobelski, general manager of BizFilings, a full-service online incorporation service provider offering small business owners fast, easy and economical ways to form a corporation or other business structure online or by phone. "However, incorporating isn't just about protecting your personal assets; other benefits of incorporation include tax advantages and greater credibility with customers and business partners, which can give incorporated businesses a much-needed advantage over non-incorporated operations."

3. Select an accountant and attorney

Many small business owners seek advice from accountants and attorneys. As you research your options, get referrals from friends and family and turn to professionals who have worked with other small business owners or companies in your specific industry.

4. Get necessary tax identification numbers, business licenses and permits

If your small business will rely on employees, a federal tax identification number or employer identification number (EIN) is required. Most businesses will also require licenses and/or permits to operate in your city, municipality, county and/or state.

5. Insure your business and investigate other requirements

Some industries have specific insurance requirements -- do your homework. It's also important to research additional government tax and insurance requirements that might apply to your business, particularly if you plan on having employees.

6. Open a business bank account

When you own your own business, it's crucial to separate business finances from personal ones, so opening a business account is key. If your business is not incorporated, most banks will require a DBA (doing business as); contact your bank about requirements prior to opening an account.

7. Arrange your business accounting and apply for loans

It is critical to properly account for all business disbursements, payments received, invoices, etc., whether you use an accountant or handle the finances yourself. If you don't have enough capital to start a business, seek funding from banks or through Small Business Administration (SBA) loan programs.

8. Establish a business line of credit

Establishing business credit will help reduce the number of times your company prepays for purchased products/services and helps establish a strong credit history, a beneficial practice when negotiating vendor and supplier relationships.

9. Ready your workspace

For home-based small businesses, make sure that you are meeting the zoning requirements for your area. Non-home-based businesses will likely require office space, which could lead to the purchase/lease of furniture and office equipment. Planning for this in advance will ensure that you have enough money to cover these costs.

10. Create a brand identity and start marketing your business

To diversify your business from the competition, you should establish your company's identity and start publicizing your products and services. Consider developing a unique business logo to include on business cards and letterhead, advertising your business, and developing customer leads -- from friends, family, and business associates. These activities will help potential customers find and remember your business and should reflect the personality of your organization.

Don't put your dreams of financial independence and doing what you love on hold until the world starts turning in your favor; start planning for your future today.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

A world-renowned institution for nearly 85 years, Lebanon's Castle Heights Military Academy (CHMA) closed its doors due to a lack of enrollment in 1986. In the years that followed, many of the school's once grand buildings began to fall into disrepair.

By the early 1990s, the former CHMA campus had become almost unrecognizable - several buildings stood vacant, untouched for nearly a decade, and others had been razed completely due to severe damage.

Thankfully, however, interest in the historic campus slowly began to swell around 1992 when it was divvied up and sold for development - a move that would see its restoration rather than its demise.

Lebanon-based THW Insurance Services was among the first to purchase and restore a former CHMA facility, an architectural rarity that had once housed the Rutherford Parks Library.

"It's the only building like it in the country," THW Partner Brownie Hall said of the old library, which is built in the shape of a Greek cross. " ... One reason we bought it was because we all liked it, of course, and we just hated to see it torn down."

There was much work to be done when it came to restoring the old library, and the project ultimately took about six months from start to finish. The facility had no running water, no electricity, and it was still heated by an old boiler-pipe system that was used during CHMA's heyday.

"Castle Heights closed in 1986, so it sat here for a pretty good while," THW Partner Rick Thorne noted. "There were lots of old pictures here, and we saved as many as we could and made a collage that still hangs in the office."

Not only did the building lack modern amenities, it was also not easily accessible. At the time, only a narrow, one-lane road leading to the former administration building (now home to the City of Lebanon's municipal offices) existed on the property.

"We were in here for months before there was even a road," Hall recalled. "For a while there, we didn't have an address - that made it difficult to even get a phone number. But eventually, as others began to locate nearby, the road was improved. Our address became 702 Cadet Court."

Following and even before the renovation to THW's new offices was completed, the business was frequently visited by CHMA alumni. It's a tradition that continues to this day. A scan of THW's visitor log includes guests from as far away as Utah, Hawaii and even Mexico.

"We have people who stop in, people who were just out on the interstate traveling. It's especially busy during the summer," THW Office Manager Robin Moore noted.

Immediately upon entering THW's offices, former CHMA cadets are no doubt transported back to their time at the school. The building's foyer is decorated with Castle Heights uniforms, varsity jackets, pennants and other memorabilia.

The insurance company's efforts to preserve many of the former library's architectural elements are also greeted fondly by CHMA alums. Most notable among those elements is a large, multi-colored, stained-glass ceiling.

"When people come in to visit, their first reaction is 'Wow!'" Moore smiled.

For THW's efforts in renovating the building, the Lebanon/Wilson County Chamber of Commerce Beautification Committee awarded the Cedar Tree Award to THW Insurance in 1993. At around the same time, the team at THW worked closely with Middle Tennessee State University to see that the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

And, Thorne noted, the Castle Heights location has helped provide THW Insurance - which also maintains offices in Wilson Bank & Trust on West Main Street - with a reputation that expands far beyond Lebanon's borders.

"This is one of the best locations in town, business-wise," Thorne said. " ... Early on, Brownie (Hall) and I traveled quite a bit. We could go literally anywhere in the South and, if you were in a group of 50 people, and you said our offices were at Castle Heights then at least one person - maybe more - would know exactly where you were talking about."

THW Insurance Services offers business, health, life, home, auto and long-term-care insurance, as well as protection against identity theft and more. For more information about THW, visit their website at www.thwins.com or call 615-443-3849.

By BRIAN HARVILLE ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )

Virtual Mayor, HobNobWilson.com

(ARA) - It now takes more than 71,000 pages to cover and explain federal tax laws. So it's not surprising the vast majority of taxpayers look for help preparing and filing their tax returns. Use of online tax preparation and e-filing continues to grow at record rates. In fact, more than 32 million taxpayers e-filed their tax returns from home last year, according to the Internal Revenue Service.

"Online tax prep can take a lot of the hassle out of doing your taxes," says Gary Lundberg, product management director for CompleteTax (www.CompleteTax.com), an online income tax preparation and e-filing service. "But you want to make sure you use a program that best meets your needs."

A recent independently conducted survey of approximately 1,000 taxpayers found that the most important factors to taxpayers in getting their taxes done are:

* Accuracy
* Safety and security
* Help and support
* Affordability
* Ease of use
* The best refund

According to Lundberg, questions you should look to answer when evaluating online tax programs are:

1. Does the program automatically check for accuracy?

Data entry errors and failing to enter key information, such as Social Security numbers, are some of the most common mistakes people make in preparing their taxes. Make certain the program automatically checks for errors or oversights. The program should provide links to the problems to help you quickly correct potentially costly mistakes.

2. Is the site secure?

You want to use an online program that encrypts your data using recognized security standards. Only use e-file programs that have been tested and approved by the IRS. These will display the IRS e-file logo on their home page.

3. What are the help options?

Ideally, the program should be straightforward, allowing you to finish your tax returns on your own. But you will want comprehensive help should you run into a question you can't answer. So make sure the online tax program provides help resources on every page and offers support via e-mail or live online chat.

4. Does it clearly show the cost of preparing and filing your returns?

The cost for using the program should be displayed clearly on the first page so that you can make an informed choice. According to Lundberg, many first-time filers and other taxpayers with uncomplicated tax situations can take advantage of free versions offered by some online tax prep providers. For example, CompleteTax's Free version can be used to prepare and file 1040EZ and even certain simple 1040 tax returns. Even if your taxes are more complicated, there is online software for basic federal income tax prep and e-file starting at under $20.

5. Is it easy to use?

Most online programs allow you to try them before you buy. You don't have to go to a store, purchase the software, install it on your computer and hope you like it. Rather, you simply go to the online program's Web site and start using it. Before you purchase, you can make sure the online program you choose is easy to navigate and presents information clearly.

6. What features does it include to help maximize your refund?

Most taxpayers are concerned that they may be missing deductions or credits that could save them money. Look for an online tax program that offers tools to help you make the most of credits and deductions. For example, this could include tools to help calculate the value of charitable deductions, such as clothing or household items.

"Part of getting your taxes done right is getting the biggest refund you deserve," says Lundberg. "You need to pay taxes, but you want to use an online tax prep solution that's helping make sure you're not paying more than necessary."

More information on online tax preparation and e-filing is available from CompleteTax at www.CompleteTax.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent