File Last-Minute Taxes With Easy-to-Use Smartphone Apps

Tax Day is here. If it managed to sneak up on you this year, there’s still time to get your return filed by the April 15 deadline. And even if you’ve got plans that you have no intention of breaking tonight, you can still file a return from your smartphone or tablet while on the go – or maybe tomorrow or the next day. Here are a few apps that will get you through the number crunch.

H&R Block 1040EZ Tax App: If you’re filing Form 1040EZ, a snap of your W-2 can get you started on filing a federal return, as well as your state return. The app will extract information from the form and make all the calculations to figure out how much you owe or are owed. It’s available for Android and iOS, and is free to download, though an additional fee of $9.99 is required to process a federal return. State forms are also extra, but likely will be worth it to users who don’t want to pull out a calculator.
TurboTax Mobile App: The popular Intuit Inc. computer program moves from your desktop to smartphones and tablets. Much like the H&R Block 1040EZ Tax App, TurboTax will snap a photo of your W-2 and pull the information it needs to figure out a return or amount owed. Along with answering a few questions about yourself, you’ll also be able to search more than 350 deductions and credits to maximize your refund. Available for Android and iOS devices. Fees are charged based on the returns filed and, if you have to stop on one device, you can pick up where you left off on another one.
TaxAct 2014 Free Federal Edition: Boasting an ability to handle complex tax filings, including those that may be affected by the Affordable Care Act, TaxAct is a downloadable on your desktop or laptop, but can also process returns on its Android and iOS app. And, conveniently, users are able to bookmark questions that may require a little digging. State returns run $14.99 and an Extension 4868 can be filed for free.
Also download the IRS2Go Mobile App. It allows users to track the status of their federal return and, should they need it, can guide them to free tax help so they can square away their 2014 filing. It’s also available on Android and iOS.