Designed as an aid in preparing federal income tax returns, this report explains terms, provides a worksheet, and describes sources of tax help. The importance of keeping tax records is discussed along with strategies for recordkeeping, types of records to keep, and how long to keep them. Explanations of the following terms are provided along with references to relevant chapters in Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Publication 17: (1) income (wages/salaries/other earnings, interest and dividends, capital gains and losses, alimony, and retirement plan benefits); (2) adjustments (moving expenses, Individual Retirement Account (IRA)/Keogh contributions, spouse's income, and contributions to charity); (3) deductions (medical/dental, taxes, interest, employees' educational expenses, casualty and theft losses, and charitable contributions); and (4) credits (child/disabled dependent care, political contributions, and energy conservation). A worksheet for recording monthly figures in each of these areas as well as in several additional areas is provided. Sources of tax assistance which are described include: IRS publications, direct IRS help, volunteer groups, commercial tax services, attorneys and accountants, and enrolled agents. Information in this report is current at the time of printing, January 1983, but is subject to change. (DC)