Spring may be the time when a young man’s fancy turns to thoughts of love, but it’s also the time that most people start thinking about their taxes. Taxes are due April 15th this year and this is the time to collect your tax and financial information.

Tax information is hidden in a lot of places. If you work, you should receive a W-2 form from your employer, which will show the amount of money you’ve made; the taxes that have been withheld from your paycheck; any non-taxable income, like retirement savings and medical expense accounts; and other taxable benefits, like extra life insurance coverage.

Your bank should also issue a statement showing how much (if any) interest you’ve accrued on your accounts. If you have mortgage, your mortgage company should issue a statement showing how much mortgage interest you paid during the previous year.

More likely, however, if you’re a student or a recent graduate, you probably don’t have enough “deductions” to itemize your taxes. Even though you don’t itemize, don’t forget to take your student loan interest deduction. The deduction applies only to the interest you’ve paid on student loans - not the loan itself, but you’re eligible to take it (along with the Hope Credit) even if you file the short tax form each year.

Your educational institution should provide a statement showing how much you’ve paid in tuition and fees, and your student loan holders should supply you with information on how much interest you paid during the year. Look for these forms in the mail and set them aside so you’ll have them when you prepare your tax return.

The Hope Credit and student loan interest deductions do have income limitations of $55,000 for single filers and $110,000 for married filers, and you’re only eligible to take the deduction for yourself if you are not a dependent on someone else’s return, so consult the IRS regulations on this deduction before assuming that you can write off all of your interest.