Jun 19, 2023
Can I File My Taxes Using My Cell Phone?
Reading time: 8 minutes
At PureTalk, we remember the days when you had to use a desktop or laptop computer to file your tax return. In fact, if your taxes are not complicated, you might not even need an accountant to do them for you.
Thanks to the camera on your cell phone, you basically 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. 8 million people use the Turbo Tax app last year, and Credit Karma reports that 20% of its tax customers used their phones to file last year.
The following are things you need to know about filing your taxes using your cellphone, and they pertain to Apple and Android users alike. We’re also giving you a quick overview of several tax apps. These can help you get the biggest refund you’re qualified to receive and get it faster than ever.
But before you decide which tax app to use, do some research and read user reviews. You don’t want to get into a situation where a function you thought was available on mobile device just isn’t.
A few reasons to file your taxes using your phone
Filing your taxes using your smartphone might sound a bit daunting. A cell phone isn’t a big device, and its size could concern you. You could also be thinking how tedious the whole endeavor will be. Like most things, once you’ve got some experience with filing your taxes via our smartphone, you’ll see how easy it is. In fact, there are some super reasons to use your cell. Here is a couple:
Convenience.
If you don’t have a computer or access to one, you most likely have a smartphone. Most people do. 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, frankly, 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. This means you’ll spend less time completing the forms and you could end up filing that much faster.
What are the negatives to do doing your taxes on your phone?
Security.
The biggest negative is forgetting to delete the tax documents you’ve scanned and sent after you send 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 every last 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.
Complicated taxes.
The simpler your tax situation is, the easier it is to file by mobile phone. But, if you bought a house last year, launched a business, invested in cryptocurrency, etc., these kinds of transactions could make using your cell phone to file more difficult particularly if this is the first time you are filing by phone.
A few of the most popular tax apps for filing by phone
The most popular tax apps for filing by mobile devices 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 and:
Permit you to scan documents with your camera
Enable you to contact tax experts for assistance
Offer two-factor authentication and Face ID/Touch ID sign-in
Offer the opportunity to have a tax pro review your taxes prior to filing. This person can even e file for you if you like
Provide the opportunity to check your refund status
Simple tax returns can be filed for free, but each app charges a fee for more complicated returns. TaxSlayer, an app not as well-known as TurboTax and H&R Block, frequently offers better prices for complex returns.
As it pertains to Cash App, if you already have it on your phone, you don’t even need to install another app. Simply click the “banking” tab to get started.
A few final suggestions
Research the app you’d like to use to file your taxes.
As mentioned earlier, before you dive headfirst into a particular tax app, read its description in Google Play or the App Store and really read the user reviews. You can also research it using Google and of course you should ask family and friends who have used it what their experience was. Filing using mobile apps on your phone is not difficult, but as with filing on a computer, you do need to know certain things ahead of time.
Research the tax deductions for 2023
Just because you are using an app that enables you to file taxes for free doesn’t mean you shouldn’t look for other ways not to pay Uncle Sam more than you have to.
Visit irs.gov for the latest adjustments in revenue procedure.
For example, the standard deduction for married couples filing jointly for tax year 2022 is up $800 to $25,900. For single taxpayers and married individuals filing separately, the standard deduction is up $400 to $12,950, and for heads of households, the standard deduction is up $600 to $19,400.
It’s important to know this stuff so you keep as much of your hard-earned money in your pocket as possible.
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Posted 10 months ago