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Remember the days when you had to use a desktop or laptop computer to file your tax return? Me too.
These days, thanks to the camera on your phone, you have everything you need to file your tax return. You can scan and save all your tax documents to your mobile device and easily attach and submit them with your tax return.
If this is the first time you file using your phone, don’t worry. Lots of folks are doing it.
In fact, 8 million people used the Turbo Tax app last year, and Credit Karma reports that 20% of its tax customers used their phones to file too.
Things to Know Before Filing by Phone
There are a few things you need to know about filing your taxes using your cellphone, and they pertain to Apple and Android users alike. We’ve also provided a quick overview of several tax apps you can look into.
Additionally, if you’d like to file by phone but would feel better doing so on a new device, check out PureTalk’s terrific selection. AMAC members get a free 3-year AMAC Membership when they switch and can choose a $10 plan, exclusive just for them!
Why File Your Taxes Using Your Phone?
Filing your taxes using your smartphone might sound a bit daunting. But like most things, once you’ve got some experience with it, you’ll see how easy it is. Following are some compelling reasons to use your cellphone.
Convenience: If you don’t have a computer or access to one, you most likely have a smartphone. It could be iOS or Android, and both make it easy to file using the tax apps in the App Store and Google Play. Everything you need to file is, literally, at your fingertips. Now that’s convenient.
Speed: As mentioned previously, using your phone’s camera to scan tax documents and attach them to your taxes makes the entire filing process faster. And if you have used a particular tax app previously, much of your information is already saved, so you’ll spend less time completing the forms and can file that much faster.
What Is The Downside to Doing Your Taxes On Your Phone?
There are a few disadvantages to filing by phone, but the positives outweigh them. They are:
Complicated taxes: The simpler your tax situation is, the easier it is to file by phone. But, if you bought a house last year, launched a business, invested in cryptocurrency, etc., these kinds of transactions could make using your phone to file a bit more difficult.
Security: The biggest downside is forgetting to delete the tax documents you’ve scanned and sent after you submit them. Let’s face it. These have all your identifying information – full name, address, and Social Security number. Your phone saves them as photos, so you need to get in there and delete each one.
Should your phone be lost or stolen, and if someone finds those photos, they could do serious damage to your finances or steal your identity. One way to protect against this concern is to add Allstate Identity Protection to your PureTalk plan. Choose from three comprehensive plans, pay one wallet-friendly bill.
Popular Tax Apps for Filing by Phone
The most popular tax apps for filing by phone include TurboTax by Intuit, H&R Block Tax File and Prep, Tax Slayer, Credit Karma, and Cash App Taxes. Some offer live support, and all promise to help you get your maximum refund.
Read reviews in the App Store or Google Play to determine which tax app best meets your needs.
A Final Note
Last but certainly not least, research the tax deductions for the year in which you are filing. Just because you are using an app that enables you to file taxes for free (or a modest fee) doesn’t mean you should pay Uncle Sam more than you have to!