Average US 2009 Tax Return UP $260 or 10%: Online Help & Tax Tips

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The White House says that thanks to last year's stimulus package, there will be an average increase of $260 or about 10% on refunds.

If you're one of the impatient ones, you can always file with a company like Amscot, who will do the waiting for you in exchange for a nominal fee.

While returns vary greatly from family to family, here are some tools to give the first time filer an idea of what to expect.

• Turbo Tax offers a an easy-to-use rebate estimator.
  
• The sooner taxes are filed, the sooner rebates are sent out. Efile.com has a full list of filing dates and their corresponding rebate dates. 
• Remember that you can always choose direct deposit to receive your refund faster.
• If you are disabled, retired or collect SSI, be sure you received your stimulus check for 2009.

Becky Worley's ABC advice on using free online tax tools may also be helpful.