With April 15 on the horizon, consumers are seeing a flurry of income-tax-related news, filled with tips on how to save money while paying Uncle Sam his share.

Public interest in tax-themed media drops after the deadline, but mainstream media tax coverage is a year-round story because it plays a large role in business, government, and public policy, explains Bill Carlino, editor-in-chief of Accounting Today.

"Taxes are kind of like the law - they're tied into ...