Even folks who are brave enough to tackle their taxes on their own often face this fear. Again, it's not an unreasonable one. And once again, those folks in Washington, D.C., feed this fear.

Take, for example, the various tax laws created in response to the recent economic crisis. The first-time homebuyer credit was changed three times in less than two years. Definitions, such as who qualifies as a first-time purchaser, would make Merriam-Webster editors scream. And there are all sorts of limits and demands for various homebuying situations.

The remedy: Accept that tax filing is going to take some homework. Before you start your return, check out the countless publications -- including Bankrate's tax channel and annual tax guide. There you'll find the feature, "seven new tax laws to know," our daily tax tips and, if you've been too afraid to start the process yet, seven ways to get organized for the tax year. By staying on top of tax law changes and filing tips, you'll know exactly where this year's taxes might trip you up.