Ask many Penn State students who does their taxes and their response is likely to be the same as Michael Reynaltti's.

"My parents do it," he said.

The only thing Reynaltti (senior-management information systems) does with his tax forms is sign them and -- when the time comes -- collect his refund.

Alex Levin (junior-economics) has the same experience, and when the time comes for him to do taxes on his own, "I'll ask my parents how to do it."

Bill Cressman, Pennsylvania Internal Revenue Service (IRS) spokesman, said most college students have their parents file their taxes for them as the April 15 deadline approaches.

"We want students to file an accurate return," Cressman said. "We definitely have no problem with that."

Fortunately, students who file their own taxes have help -- several groups in State College and the IRS itself offer assistance to those struggling to fill out their forms.

Cressman said the IRS Web site, www.irs.gov, is a useful guide for any tax questions students may have. Along with explanations of different forms, the site also provides an "e-file" option, which is a tax form students can fill out and submit online.

"E-file is the best way to file, period," Cressman said.

Some students opt to have a tax preparation service do their taxes for them.

Roy Adams from Liberty Tax Service said a few students come in for tax assistance, adding that students only need to bring in any income forms, W-2s, and other documents they've received related to taxes. The rest, Adams said, is done for them.

"Some people get scared as soon as they see a letter from the IRS," Adams said. "We're able to stand behind them."

At the Community Help Center in State College, there is a free service for all low-income workers and senior citizens called Volunteer Income Tax Assistance.

Office Administrator Christian Collins said a few students come in to use this service each year.

"[Especially] if you're fresh out of high school," Collins said. "It's better to have someone help you."

For international students, a special tax-help service is offered through the United Way at the University Office of International Programs. This tax-free assistance program is run by volunteers and is only available to international students.

"You should learn to do your own taxes," said John Diercks, a third-year volunteer with the tax-assistance program.

"It's educational to see what goes on with your taxes."

Diercks said many international students may feel intimidated by the numerous tax forms that they have to fill out. The volunteers provide guidance, but students fill out their own forms.

"Doing your taxes is difficult because of different rules for different forms," Diercks said.

Adams said each state has forms that differ from other states' documents, citing this as the reason why most students who come in for help are non-residents.

"Pennsylvania is one of the easiest to do," he said. Many other states model their tax forms off of the federal government's forms, making them more difficult to fill out, he added.

For those planning to do their own taxes, Adams said the best advice is to "double check and triple check your forms."