Doing taxes

Photo: Thinkstock

Silver Linings: The Checkbook Edition
Last year, the IRS processed almost 148 million tax returns. The majority of Americans did get refunds (the average check is $2,803), but still, there are many taxpayers who owe. If you're one of them, here are 10 ways to take the sting out of writing that check. While you're getting that rubdown and licking the icing from that cinnamon bun off your fingers, remember there's always next year.
Massage

Photo: Thinkstock

Get a Massage
Lie on a HydroMassage bed and you'll feel waves of warm water rolling beneath your body. You can try one out free from April 15 to 19 at participating locations (including Planet Fitness gyms).
Cinnamon buns

Photo: Thinkstock

Snack on Cinnamon Buns
Cinnabon, which serves its warm, cream-cheese-frosted cinnamon rolls at more than 1,000 shops worldwide, is giving away two free mini treats per person from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tax Day.
Shredded paper

Photo: Thinkstock

Destroy Your Old Bank Statements
Office Depot will let you shred up to five pounds of paper—that's about one ream, or 500 sheets—and make 25 black-and-white, single-sided copies, free of charge, from April 1 to May 1. (But keep old returns three to five years.)
Fries

Photo: Thinkstock

Eat Free Fries
Arby's Restaurants are offering a coupon for free Value Curly Fries or Small Potato Cakes on April 15. Go to Arbys.com/TaxDayGiveaway beginning April 9 for a coupon. Plus, as part of Arby's Potato Tax Payout promotion, taxpayers can enter to win $500 of tax relief.
Chocolate coins

Photo: Thinkstock

Enjoy a Little Chocolate
Stay at a Renaissance Hotel between April 12 and 15, and you'll get a few chocolate coins with a cute card to help sweeten your day.
Popcorn

Photo: Thinkstock

Have Some Popcorn with Your Sunday Matinee
You can score a free small popcorn at AMC Theatres between April 12 and 15. Print out a coupon from AMCTheatres.com.
Candle

Photo: Thinkstock

Turn Your Living Room into a Tropical Beach
Oprah.com readers can snag a free large jar or tumbler of their favorite Yankee Candle scent, from Coconut Bay to Clean Cotton, between April 13 and 20. Just use the code OPRAH to get the buy-one-get-one deal at checkout.
Coffee with creamer

Photo: Thinkstock

Pour Some Extra Cream in Your Coffee
Buy a Baileys Coffee Creamer, and you can get another one at no charge. Go to the company's Facebook page on April 15 for a coupon.
Woman in bed

Photo: Thinkstock

A Perk (Mostly) Just for Californians
Trojan is giving out free vibrators in San Francisco on April 12 and Los Angeles on April 15. Just tell them you've paid your taxes, and you'll walk away with a complimentary Trojan Tri-Phoria or Trojan Pulse vibrator. Plus, the company is giving 10 readers two vibrators each, no matter where they live; go to Trojan's Facebook page for details.
Sundae

Photo: Thinkstock

Dig into Some Sweet Potato Parmesan Fries (or a Brownie Sundae)
Participating Chili's locations are offering a free appetizer or dessert with purchase of an adult entrée from April 15 to 18. Print a coupon at Chilis.com.

Next: 7 things to stop spending money on right now