CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) - The tax deadline is fast approaching, now just over three weeks away on April 15. Tax season is in full swing. Hundreds of millions of tax returns are filed each year, and if you haven't filed already, tax experts have a few reminders. Granby farm sues Trump admin istration for freezing federal funding "You want to get your information from last year to see if anything might be different," said Ray Maagero of Liberty Tax. "If there is a life changing event that has occurred in the past year, you want to be sure you consider that for your tax return. Whether you have a new child, whether you get married or divorced, or you made some new investments or opened a business." Maagero said it is not unusual for them to find additional money for taxpayers that they may have missed in year's past. "There's always changes that we are concerned about that taxpayers might be missing and we certainly relish the opportunity to help people find those additional credits and deductions," Maagero said. Besides using a trusted tax professional to file your taxes, there are a few programs through the IRS where qualifying taxpayers can file for free. There is the IRS Free File Program through their website that includes software that will look for deductibles, credits and exemptions.  Direct File is another free program for qualifying taxpayers through the IRS in 25 participating states, Massachusetts and Connecticut included. Maagero said there is also an option for filing today, but paying later. "There's no reason not to file today because you can queue your payment up so it's taken out of your account on the 15th of April, so our recommendation is get your tax return filed, you'll beat the rush," Maagero said. Taxpayers can either file through the mail or electronically, but tax professionals say they prefer e-file, as it is more secure. Most tax refunds are received in 21 days if filed online. If filed through the mail, the wait time is generally four weeks.  Local News Headlines New brewery set to open this week in Bernardston Northampton police seeking help finding missing 70-year-old Lawmakers, advocates push for remote public meetings Figure skaters to honor those lost in DC plane crash at World Championships in Boston WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. ...read more read less