Maybe it's not as certain as death and taxes, but post-season tax work continues for millions out there.

If you had to file an extension on your taxes, you were far from alone. Through early April, 2.3 million fewer returns were filed with the IRS than last year, meaning more later filers.

An extension provides up to six more months for filing. It should've been easy to get one, with most extensions given automatically, no questions asked.

“;If they could not pay the full amount, they can work with the IRS in terms of creating an installment plan,”; said IRS spokesman David Tucker. “;There is interest charged, and there's also a fee for establishing installment plans.”;

If you were able to pay part of your bill, charges would only apply to the unpaid balance.

Setting up the agreement carries a $105 fee—$52 if payments are deducted directly from your bank account. Installments are based on what you earn, not how much you owe. The IRS will work with you in a way that doesn't make you go broke.

It's generally advised not to make these payments via your credit card, as cards likely hold higher interest rates.

But if you owe thousands in taxes, the IRS does recommend that you make a one-time payment by obtaining a loan from a bank or financial institution.

For example, borrowing $10,000 over a 36-month payment plan with a bank would cost you less in interest than entering a 36-month installment plan with the IRS.

But what if you made a mistake or forgot something? I didn't realize until two weeks ago, for example, that President Barack Obama's Make Work Pay tax credit allows $400 for practically every working individual, $800 for a married couple.

I remembered to note it, but many of my friends didn't realize it until after they went to their tax preparer.

The IRS recommends that you file an amended return if your filing status, your income, your deductions or your credits were incorrect.

Tucker says IRS service centers do correct errors in math, and will pay particular attention to people who don't claim the new credit, which was part of Obama's stimulus package last year. It's likely that if you forgot it, the IRS will make sure you get the credit anyway.

“;The IRS is aware that it's a very new tax credit, and people are still perhaps not knowledgeable of it,”; Tucker said.

Of course, there's always the chance that the IRS could come back and hit you with a dreaded audit. No, the “;t”; isn't silent, and you won't be getting a new German-engineered luxury car.

If you're good about following tax advice, you should be keeping tax records for at least three years. Some documents, like records relating to a home purchase, stock transactions, or business or rental property, should be kept longer.

“;Be forthright in your answers,”; Tucker says. “;Be organized. That organization can't start too soon. We're in 2010, and people should be organizing their files now as they go through the year, which will make it much easier for them.”;

If it's all good and you're just waiting for a refund, you could check the status of that refund online at irs.gov. If you filed online, you can check it after three days, so it should be posted by now.

If you mailed it in, wait three to four weeks. Be sure to have a copy of your 2009 return at hand, because you will need to know your filing status, the first Social Security number shown on the return and the exact whole-dollar amount of the refund.

”;Here's the Deal”; helps consumers stretch dollars in these tough economic times. It runs every other Monday. E-mail Gene Park at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).