April 17 -- the deadline to file your taxes -- is just around the corner. The IRS offers the following 10 tips for taxpayers still working on their returns.

1. File electronically using IRS e-file. Not only is IRS e-file safe and easy, but it's also become the norm. IRS e-file has surpassed the milestone of 1 billion returns processed after more than 20 years of secure service. Last year, 112 million income tax returns -- 77 percent of all individual returns -- were filed using IRS e-file.
2. Consider paying electronically. In addition to filing electronically, also consider paying electronically if you owe a payment. Electronic payment options are convenient and safe methods for paying taxes. You may authorize an electronic funds withdrawal or use a credit or debit card. For more information on electronic payment options, visit www.irs.gov.
3. Check identification numbers. Carefully check identification numbers -- usually Social Security numbers -- for each person listed. This includes you, your spouse, dependents and persons listed in relation to claims for the Child and Dependent Care Credit or Earned Income Tax Credit. Missing, incorrect or illegible Social Security numbers can delay or reduce a tax refund.
4. Double-check your calculations. If you are filing a paper return, double-check that you have correctly calculated the refund or balance due.
5. Check the tax tables. If you are filing using the Free File Fillable Forms or a paper return, double-check that you have used the right figure from the tax table.
6. Sign your form. You must sign and date your return. Both spouses must sign a joint return, even if only one had income. Anyone paid to prepare a return must also sign it.
7. Mail your return to the correct address. If you are mailing a return, find the correct mailing address at www.irs.gov. Click the "Individuals" tab and the "Where to File" link under IRS Resources on the left side.
8. Fill out your check correctly. If you are mailing a payment, make the check payable to "United States Treasury" and enclose it with, but do not attach it to, the tax return or the Form 1040-V, Payment Voucher, if used. The check should include the Social Security number of the person listed first on the return, daytime phone number, the tax year and the type of form filed.
9. Request an extension if necessary. By the April 17 due date, you should either file a return or request an extension of time to file. Remember, the extension of time to file is not an extension of time to pay.

Get last-minute questions answered. Forms, publications and helpful information on a variety of tax subjects are available at www.irs.gov.

On March 28, Gov. Branstad signed a proclamation declaring April 2012 Financial Literacy Awareness Month. Additionally, April 24 is Teach Children to Save Day, a component of the national Teach Children to Save campaign. In honor of these events, here are tips for teaching children of various ages to save. Whether for your kids, grandchildren, nieces, nephews or young friends, use these ideas to get the children in your life excited about saving.

Ages 3-6: Make it visible.
Sometimes a simple action such as putting change in a clear jar can help teach youngsters some important lessons. By encouraging kids to keep adding change to the jar, they get to watch it grow over time. Explain that at the end of each month, you'll count the change together and then buy something as a reward. Always leave some change in the jar (say 10 percent of the total) to start off the next month. As the children get older, teach them about budgeting and splitting the change up into separate jars marked for saving, spending and sharing. This way, children begin to get a sense of the importance of managing their money in ways that are beneficial to them and to others.

Ages 6-8: Earn it.
Encourage kids to collect and return recyclables or check under the couch cushions for coins when they help you tidy up at home. They can even help sort the laundry and keep any loose change left in the pockets. These activities help put extra coins in their jar and introduce the concept that you can earn money by helping others. Explain that lots of adults have "service" jobs, much like the chores kids do at home. It's an important part of America's economy. Doing a job well now is good training for later -- when they might train others or even start their own service-oriented business.  

Ages 8-12: Put your money to work.
Get these increasingly sophisticated "tweens" interested in saving by explaining how money grows through earning interest. Involve your bank by requesting a tour and opening a savings account. Encourage regular deposits to help children strengthen their savings habit -- perhaps each time you deposit your paycheck. An added bonus to money in the bank: In addition to earning interest, it's a bit less accessible for impulse spending, and it's protected against loss by FDIC insurance -- something that can't be said of piggy banks at home. Contact your banker to find out about special programs they might offer for children.

Teens: Prepare for the future.
The teenage years often are the time to open a first checking account at a bank, with a parent or guardian as a custodian. It's important for teens to know the proper way to write a check, how the check register works and how to use an ATM or debit card. Explain that a debit card works like an automatic withdrawal of funds from the checking account, even though it appears to work like a credit card. Instruct teens in good checkbook-balancing habits -- make sure they write down all transactions, including debit card purchases, ATM withdrawals and any automatic bill payments. Encourage them to balance checkbooks at least once a month. Suggest keeping bank statements in a three-ring binder or other filing system. If the bank offers online banking, go over the advantages of monitoring account balances more frequently and keeping an eye out for unauthorized transactions. Also, share the joy of compound interest by teaching teens the "rule of 72." Simply divide the interest rate they earn into 72 to figure out the number of years it will take to double their money.

The average price of U.S. regular gasoline jumped more than 11 cents to $3.93 per gallon over the past two weeks, but may be peaking as the price of crude oil holds steady, according to the latest Lundberg Survey. Gas prices in Iowa are currently averaging around $3.80 per gallon.

The good news is that there are simple steps you can take to cut costs at the pump. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) offers the following tips:

On the road

• Stay within the posted speed limits. Gas mileage decreases rapidly at speeds over 60 miles per hour.
• Avoid unnecessary idling. It wastes fuel, costs you money and pollutes the air. Turn off the engine if you anticipate a wait.
• Stop aggressive driving. You can improve your gas mileage up to 5 percent around town if you avoid "jackrabbit" starts and stops by anticipating traffic conditions and driving gently.
• Use overdrive gears and cruise control when appropriate. They improve the fuel economy of your car when you're driving on a highway.
• Combine errands. Several short trips taken from a cold start can use twice as much fuel as one trip covering the same distance when the engine is warm.
• Remove excess weight from the trunk. An extra 100 pounds in the trunk can reduce a typical car's fuel economy by up to 2 percent. Also, avoid packing items on top of your vehicle. A loaded roof rack or carrier creates wind resistance and can decrease fuel economy by 5 percent.
• Consider other modes of transportation. Leave your car at home and consider carpooling, public transportation, a bike ride or a stroll across town.

At the mechanic

• Keep your engine tuned. Tuning your engine according to your vehicle's owner's manual can increase gas mileage by an average of 4 percent.
• Change your oil. Clean oil reduces wear caused by friction between moving parts and removes harmful substances from your engine. Use the grade of motor oil listed in your owner's manual, and change it according to the schedule recommended by your mechanic. Motor oil that says "Energy Conserving" on the performance symbol of the American Petroleum Institute contains friction-reducing additives that can improve fuel economy.
• Keep your tires properly inflated and aligned. It can increase gas mileage up to 3 percent.

At the pump

• Follow your owner's manual recommendation for the right octane level for your vehicle. For most cars, the recommended gasoline is regular octane. In most cases, using a higher octane gas than the manufacturer recommends offers no benefit -- and costs you at the pump. Unless your engine is knocking, buying higher octane gasoline is a waste of money.

Steer clear of gas-saving gadgets. Be skeptical of claims for devices that will improve your gas mileage. The Environmental Protection Agency has tested over 100 supposed gas-saving devices -- including mixture "enhancers" and fuel line magnets -- and found that very few provide any fuel economy benefits. The devices that work provide only marginal improvements. Some "gas-saving" devices may damage a car's engine or increase exhaust emissions. For more information and a full list of tested products, visit www.epa.gov/otaq/consumer/reports.htm.

March 20 marks the first day of spring. During your annual spring cleaning crusade, it's more than just your closets and windows that need attention. Spring is also the perfect time to clean and organize your finances. Here are some ways to get started:

Clear the clutter. Consider investing in a financial organization system, such as alphabetized file folders. Also consider buying a shredder to purge receipts and statements you no longer need. The IRS requires taxpayers to maintain tax records for all income, deductions or credits claimed on their federal returns for three years.

Safeguard important documents. Financial documents such as savings bonds, life insurance policies, deeds, property titles and stock certificates should be stored in a fireproof safe or in a safe deposit box at your bank.

Organize payments. Setting up automatic payments for recurring bills such as car loans, cell phone bills or monthly mortgage payments is a one-time task that offers ongoing benefits. Not only are you less likely to incur late fees, but automatic payments and online statements also reduce the paper pileup.

Reduce your interest expenses. Review your debt to make sure you are working toward eliminating it. Reducing or eliminating debt can boost your credit rating and improve your monthly cash flow. It's generally best to pay off debt with the highest interest rate first.

Consolidate accounts. Instead of keeping track of multiple credit card bills and statements from several checking, savings and investment accounts, consider which accounts could be closed or consolidated. Juggling too many accounts may make it more difficult to remember payment due dates and to monitor account activity for possible fraud. Before rushing to close credit accounts, remember it could result in a drop in your credit score. It's a good idea to keep your oldest credit cards because one factor of your credit score is how long you've had credit.

Check your credit reports. Look for errors or incomplete information that could prevent you from getting the best deals on credit cards, mortgages or other loans. You are entitled to one free copy of your credit report every 12 months from each of the three nationwide credit bureaus -- Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Although you can ask to receive copies from all three credit bureaus at the same time, you can also spread out your requests throughout the year to check for major changes or inconsistencies. To order your free reports, go to www.AnnualCreditReport.com or call (877) 322-8228.

Check your insurance levels. As life changes, so do insurance needs. Take some time to review your different insurance policies, such as health, life, disability, homeowners and auto to make sure you have enough coverage to safeguard you and your family while at the same time not paying excessive premiums. Remember, some insurance gets more expensive as you age, so there's no reason to wait.