If you received a federal tax refund the last two filing seasons, chances are that your check from the IRS this year was smaller.The average tax refund amount through the end of April was $2,716.That's $106 less than the average refund amount issued at around the same time last year, according to the  2012 tax filing season.It's also this week's figures.Taxpayers who had their refunds deposited directly averaged slightly larger checks: $2,923.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has a variety of methods to collect delinquent or back taxes. It can slap a tax lien on your property and sell it, or it can levy against your assets. It can also garnish your wages, but it can't take your house.

If you have reason to believe there were mistakes or inaccuracies on your income tax return, you don't just have to shrug and say, "Oh, well, next year."The IRS allows you to amend your returns, and I strongly suggest you consider this.

.What happens if one day you go to your mail box and pick up an envelope addressed to you with a return address from The U.S. Treasury – Internal Revenue Service stamped Official Business? Nothing strikes an emotional chord with small business owners like the prospect of a tax audit.Based on my experience with tax audits for service companies, most accounts will be tested, but the following items will be looked at most in depth by the auditor:

The estimates, almost 75% of consumers can expect a refund this year. The average windfall: $2,799. Adrien Jones, Senior Advisor  for taxsolutionsnetwork.com, gives suggestions on how to spend it. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

Providing Real Help When IRS Collection Efforts Get AggressiveIf you owe personal or business taxes to the federal government, the IRS can aggressively come after your paycheck, your bank account or even your Social Security check to collect their money — all without suing you.

Which tax preparation service is best? That's what writer Mike Berns hoped to find out when he took his 2011 income data to different firms — including an H&R Block office, seen here in a file photo from last year's tax season.

 When you fall behind on your income tax payments, the IRS may let you set up a payment plan, called an installment agreement, to get you back on track. It is up to you, however, to take that first step and make a request for the installment agreement, which you can do by filing Form 9465. You can file the form with your tax return, online, or even over the phone, in some cases.

The average amount of income tax refunds is down slightly this year.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

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