Tax season is upon us, and the iPhone is here to take the sting out of Uncle Sam’s April chore. The current arsenal of App Store software is useful for both simple and complex tax processes, and is generally cheaper than desktop equivalents.
While there are a variety of tax-related apps by independent developers, the major players in the App Store market are also the star gladiators vying for dominance in the e-commerce market.
If you have an uncomplicated return (one W2 Form, for example, and take the standard deduction), congratulations: You don’t have to worry much about organizing your tax records. For everyone else, though, managing the piles of receipts and other documents is a big part of the pain. Doing your own taxes can be confusing, but there are many iPhone and iPad apps that will help out while working through the tedious tasks of filing income taxes. Whether you are a tax attorney or an individual. Below is a run down of most sophisticated tax apps that will provide assistance, depending on your tax filing needs.
IRS2Go Mobile App
Now Available – 2014 Version of IRS2Go!
This new version of IRS2Go has a brand new look and feel with newly added features. It is available in both English and Spanish. Get IRS2Go downloaded for Android devices from the Google Play Store or IRS2Go for iOS from the App Store. The free IRS2Go phone app, which works with iPhone or Android phones, allows taxpayers to check the status of their tax refund and obtain tax tips. Apple users can download the app from the Apple App Store. Android users can get it from Android Marketplace. Taxpayers must enter a Social Security number to use the app, but the IRS says it is masked and encrypted for security purposes. Mobile users can also sign up to receive daily IRS tax tips and reminders to help with tax planning.
H&R Block Tax Answers
The H&R Tax App for iPhone will help you find a local Tax prep office that can do your 2013 taxes for you. This app won’t actually let you do your taxes, but it is a fast way to find a local tax professional and see how long they are open, which is usually only until 6PM local time. If you are not sure where to start when it comes to filing your taxes, H&R Block Mobile may help. This is a free app for your iPhone and iPad. It will help you estimate your tax refund, find a local H&R Tax Professional, answer some of the most common tax questions, offer checklists for your tax preparation, provide information on the status of your refund and more. H&R Block Mobile is a nice tool for quick answers during the tax season.
TaxCaster– Free tax refund calculator to estimate your taxes
If you never quite know what to expect when tax time rolls around, you need TaxCaster. It forecasts your tax information so there are no surprises when you sit down to file.
Want an estimate on your tax return ASAP, but you’re either not ready to file or don’t have your W-2 handy? Intuit’s TaxCaster is a quick-and-dirty tax calculator that takes about five minutes to use, and doesn’t require exact numbers to give an estimate. TaxCaster is the quick and easy way to estimate your tax refund or tax due so you can adjust withholdings or take action to lower your tax liability if necessary.
For those with more complex needs, TaxCaster can take a range of exceptions into account: Education, family, rental and housing -– even alimony and new vehicle deduction. The subtle genius of TaxCaster is its targeted advertising at the bottom of the screen, which dynamically updates itself based on your input. As soon as you input a number for “Annual Mortgage Interest,” the ad fades from “Turbo Tax Free” to “Turbo Tax Deluxe.”The app also refers you to the TurboTax product that would best suit your particular tax situation. TaxCaster is free to download and available for both iPhone and Android devices.
3. TurboTax SnapTax– Complete and efile simple taxes
If you want to try an even easier method for filing your taxes, SnapTax may be your solution. Right from your iPhone, you can file your taxes by taking a picture of your W-9 form and answering a few questions. Once finished, you can e-file and even pay your taxes. This is for those who have simple taxes and do not own a home, do not have dependents and only have certain types of income. SnapTax is for those individuals whose only income sources are W-2, interest, and/or unemployment, don’t own a home, and earned under $100k or $120k for single or married filers respectively. W-2 import is easy, just snap a picture and your income information will populate. The app is available for free for both iPhone and Android devices — however, the actual electronic filing of your federal and state returns will cost $24.95.
TurboTax 2011 Tax Preparation – Efile Your Income Tax Return
If you have a more complicated tax return with multiple schedules, Turbo Tax 2011 Tax Preparation may be a good solution for your iPad. Answer the simple questions and Turbo Tax will do all the work. The app will fill out the right tax forms and find all your applicable deductions. Turbo Tax is free to download and use and you won’t pay until you are ready to file. Prices start at $29.99, depending on the complexity of your return. Turbo tax also offers an optional state tax return, which begins at $36.99.
MyTaxRefund by TurboTax – Free efile and refund status
if you’ve already filed your 2013 taxes you can use the MyTaxRefund app to track your refunds from the federal government and the state return. You do not need to use TurboTax to use this free app.
iDonatedIt
As you prepare for taxes next year, make sure you get all the deductions you deserve. Sometimes it is hard to remember all the various tax-deductible donations you make throughout the year. Track all this information with iDonatedIt and get the most from your charitable non-cash donations. The app will track the fair market value, condition, and quantity of items and it allows you to attach photos. Created by a team of experienced accountants, iDonatedIt will help you comply with the IRS charitable contribution requirements. The $2.99 app works with both the iPhone and iPad. Unfortunately the cost of the app probably is not tax deductible.
TaxHeroes
If throughout the year, you are looking for some answers to basic tax questions, TaxHeroes will help. The app was designed for the clients of the accounting firm that developed TaxHeroes, however they have made it available for everyone to use. It has answers to the many tax questions you may have while you prepare and file you annual taxes. This app is free, and works on the iPhone and iPad.
Tax Code and Regulations – TouchTax Mobile App
If you are really serious about your taxes and want to know all the tax laws, this app is for you. At $24.99, this app is one of the most expensive tax apps available, however it has all the answers when it comes to understanding tax laws. Tax Law is geared more for tax professionals, as they help prepare taxes for others. All the IRS tax codes, federal regulations and Tax Court rules are conveniently located on your iPad. Even if you are not a tax professional, you may find this app interesting. If you are someone who has a lot of tax questions or enjoys knowing all the current laws, this app will provide answers
Concur – Travel, Receipts, Expense Reports
If you itemize deductions on your taxes for your business or other expenses, Concur will help. For the great price of free, this iPhone and iPad tax app may become your favorite bookkeeper. No more hanging on to drawers and files of receipts. By taking a picture of your receipt, Concur will store them for you throughout the year. There are also some travel tools, which will help track the reason for your travel and help with submitting expense forms. As a bonus, you can even book and manage your travel right from the app!
WriteTax Tax Tables 2011/12
For those of you who need UK tax rates, allowances and threshold information, this $4.99 tax app will be a useful tool on your iPhone and iPad. All the tax tables will be at your fingertips and it will provide you with due dates and filing dates
1040EZ Tax App
H&R Block offers a free 1040EZ 2013 app that walks users through filing a 1040EZ return from the iPhone with a free e-file. There are some in app purchases including $9.99 to prepare the taxes, which includes a free e-file.
This 1040 EZ Tax App offers a free e-file, but charges $9.99 to prepare the taxes.
H&R Block 1040EZ supports taxpayers who:
- Are single or married filing a joint return
- Have income of $100,000 or less
- Rent or lease
- Have no dependents
H&R Block Tax Preparation
H&R Block also offers a Tax Prep app for iPad owners that walks users through the federal tax process. There is a free e-file option for some users, and those who don’t qualify will need to pay $34.99 for a basic federal return or up to $74.99 for a deluxe federal tax return.
Outright (now GoDaddy Bookkeeping)
Do you own a small business? If you do, you know that it’s a round-the-clock job and the last thing you want to do is spend hours and hours going through paperwork at tax time.
Outright has been my godsend — it organizes all of your business finances in one place, links up your accounts from eBay, PayPal, credit cards, bank accounts, Amazon, Etsy, etc., and tracks what you’re making, spending, and who’s buying from you.
Ouright, aka GoDaddy Bookkeeping, gives you constant access to your loss and profit information, calculates your quarterly tax payments automatically and pre-populates your Schedule C information.
This will give you more time to work on the important stuff, like growing your business and building relationships with your customers. It’s a free download and available for iPhone (although the premium version is $99 per year).
Shoeboxed
If you’re still keeping receipts in a shoebox, it’s time to get with the program! Shoeboxed Receipt Tracker and Receipt Reader stores and organizes receipts for you.
Simply take a picture and this app will determine the date, total, type of payment, and category — it’s pretty nifty! The receipt will be saved as a digitized copy accepted by the IRS.
Plus, you can easily export your expenses to popular financial applications including QuickBooks, Quicken, and Excel. Shoeboxed also generates and emails your expense reports in just a few seconds. This app is free to download for iPhone users.
Slice
Do you ever worry that you haven’t claimed everything you could have on your tax return? It makes sense, many people without extensive tax knowledge can forget to include a deduction or two. Slice syncs with your email inbox to pull information from your e-receipts and organize them all in one place. How does this help you come tax time?Slice instantly helps you find deductions and receipts that you forgot about — things like textbook purchases, small business expenses, and travel expenses.It then presents you with a list that you can browse through or export to a .CSV file. Slice is free to download and available for iPhone, Android and on the web.
Trip Cubby
Whether you are traveling for business, medical, or charitable purposes, it can be hard to remember to write down your mileage. With Trip Cubby, track your mileage quickly and easily with predictive input and a record of past trips.This information can be generated into Excel-compatible email reports for expense purposes and marked as paid or unpaid as you receive reimbursement, or wait to file with the IRS. Trip Cubby is available for $2.99 for iPhone, but what if you want to claim your gas and maintenance expenses?
Gas Cubby
Who can remember to hit “Yes” for a receipt at the pump every time? Not me. Enter Gas Cubby — the ultimate tracking app for gas and maintenance expenses.This app keeps track of all your car related expenses, the gas price, number of gallons, oil changes, tire rotations, etc. It even reminds you when your car is due for maintenance!Your records can be easily exported to Excel for tax purposes and Gas Cubby can keep records for multiple vehicles at once. It is available for iPhone for $2.99
USPS
The USPS Mobile tax app will help you locate the nearest post office, see their hours and find the last pickup time. While some post office locations are open late, you can’t count on it. Many do not stay open late because of the increased number of people who e-file. See how late the Post Office is open and track your tax refund.
USPS Mobile app will help you locate the nearest post office, see their hours and find the last pickup time. While some post office locations are open late, you can’t count on it
Tax Act
Find a local tax professional. Apple or Google Maps If you have a favorite map app for your iPhone open it up and type in tax, taxes or accountants and you’ll see a list of local places where you can go to get tax help. Call ahead because today may be incredibly busy. Tax Services and Apps .These iPhone and iPad apps won’t help you do your taxes, but they will help you find a post office that will mail your taxes for you on time and check your refund.
Expensify – Tracking Tax on Expense Line Items
Tax tracking feature allows you to enter the tax amount at the expense line-item level. This feature is currently available for companies on Team and Corporates.
Bloomberg BNA Quick Tax Reference:
Bloomberg BNA’s handy Quick Tax Reference Guide gives you access to tax rates and schedules within a few clicks. This easy to use iPhone tax app includes current tax rates and retroactive ones back to 2011 for:
* Retirement Plan Limits
* Tax Code Pension
* ERISA
* Trusts/Estate and Gift Taxes
* Income Tax Rates for Estates
* Capital Gains and Dividends Taxed as Net Capital Gain
* Standard Deductions/Personal Exemptions
* Use “Slider” or tap input box for keyboard to estimate taxes.
* Individual Tax Rate Schedules
* Corporate Tax Rate Schedule
* Standard Mileage Rates
* 2014 Tax Rates
BNA’s Quick Tax Reference Guide is perfect for when you’re on the go, need to make a quick reference, or are meeting with clients. This app allows you to change your year of reference quickly and calculate taxable income for different filing statuses.
MileBug.
It lets you track trips by Business, Destination, and Purpose and set presets each of those items for quick entry. If you need to track rates for the standard tax deduction, you can setup reimbursement rates for each trip. It will automatically start the next trip from the last known odometer reading, which saves you time. It’s available for $2.99 on iPhone, Android and Windows applications.
Ask a CPA
Get answers to your tax and accounting questions on your Android with Ask A CPA Tax Answers. a free app for Android which provides you with a tax reference tool for everybody. With the app, you can easily search by category and questions & answers are added daily without the need to update your app constantly. And if you can’t find the answers to your questions, the app will help you find a CPA near your area. Download the Ask A CPA Tax Answers now and get tax answers from a CPA.
EITC Finder
Intuit launched the free app called the EITC Finder to help determine if you can reap the benefit of one of the most missed tax credits, which may put up to $5,700 in your pocket.The Earned Income Tax Credit is a tax credit for people who work, but have low wages. The tax credit not only reduces the amount of tax you owe, but it also may give you a tax refund even if you didn’t pay enough income taxes.In order to claim EITC, you must meet specific criteria, which is where the new app comes in to simplify the process of helping you determine your EITC eligibility by guiding you through a few simple questions about your marital status, dependents, and wages.If you are eligible, the app estimates how much will be applied to your federal and state tax refund. The EITC Finder then tells you how to easily claim your credit by preparing and filing your tax return with one of the free products offered through the IRS Free File program, which includes more than a dozen brand-name tax software products donated by private companies.
TurboTax Freedom Edition.
The app, available for iPhone, iPod touch and Android, also provides nonprofit organizations and others that serve lower-income tax filers with an easy and flexible way to help their clients determine EITC eligibility anytime, anywhere with Internet access.
Find a local tax attorney. Apple or Google Maps If you have a favorite map app for your iPhone open it up and type in tax, taxes or accountants and you’ll see a list of local places where you can go to get tax help. Call ahead so we can get our experienced IRS Tax attorney to be in touch with you. ASAP. These iPhone and iPad apps won’t help you do your taxes, but they will help you find a post office that will mail your taxes for you on time and check your refund.