While the AMT patch spared 23 million taxpayers additional fees, the IRS estimates that as many as 13.5 million citizens seeking tax credits may experience delays in filing and receiving returns this spring. Here are some suggestions to help make the process go smoothly:

• Begin organizing your tax papers as soon as your W-2 arrives. Don’t wait until the April 15 deadline.

• Be sure you have the latest forms. The IRS mailed packages containing new forms, but the first packages were printed in November, prior to the AMT patch. Taxpayers affected are using forms for the following credits: child and dependent care expenses, education, residential energy, mortgage interest (not to be confused with the mortgage interest deduction, which is not affected) and District of Columbia first-time home buyers.

• To speed your refund, file your return electronically and have it deposited directly into a bank account.

• Filing a return without the credits and amending the return later is an option, but refunds for amended returns can take up to eight weeks.

Click for parent story

Have a comment about this story? E-mail us at mailbag@angieslist.com.