Last week the IRS announced they had launched a mobile application, which got me thinking about all the free tax apps available for smart phones these days. Isn’t it cool how technology changes how we think about every aspect of our lives? So, what other free apps are out there, check out my top 10:
1. The IRS's App
Last week the IRS unveiled their new IRS2Go mobile app for iPhones and Androids. It allows you to check your refund status from your smart phone and get access to IRS tips. Your tax dollars went to creating it, so you might as well download the IRS's official mobile app.
2. Federal Tax Estimator 2010
This app by Nate Ram has been reviewed on the CBS Tech Talk show. The app lets users estimate their federal tax liability. It supports all filing status options, allows for multiple W-2 forms, tracks dependents and unemployment benefits, storing all data on your mobile phone.
3. Tax Reference 2010
This Chesnut designed application provides you with a wealth of tax information at your fingertips including corporate tax rates, retirement contribution limits, itemized deductions, and so much more. Definitely a great app to use for tax planning all year round, and best of all, it's completely free!
4. iTaxMama
Created by Tax Anxiety Inc., this app helps keep your tax due dates organized by providing an easy to use tax planning calendar. It includes reminders for quarterly tax payments, tax filing deadlines, and has been fully updated for this tax season.
5. FiCal
FiCal by HCL Technologies is more than just a tax planning mobile app. In addition to estimating your taxes, it also helps with debt reduction, financial savings, and monthly budgeting.
6. MileBug
Unfortunately only the "lite" version of this app by Izatt Internation is free, but even this basic edition can be extremely useful for anyone tracking their mileage, Including business owners and anyone who drives in the course of volunteering for a charitable organization.
7. Easy Books
This bookkeeping application keeps track of accounts, statements, invoices, and more. It’s perfect for business owners, producing full profit and loss statements that can be imported into a spreadsheet on your computer.
8. MyTaxBack
This app helps you find out if you qualify to claim the Earned Income Tax Credit. This is such a valuable app because the EITC is notoriously underclaimed, at the same time it is one of the most abused tax breaks. So a free, easy-to-use interface – available in both English and Spanish– is an incredible find. Check your mobile carrier's app store for more information.
9. Box.net
I first mentioned Box.net when I held a Twitter and Facebook contest a few months ago. It is a free app that lets you share, manage, and access all of your documents from your phone, like a virtual file cabinet. The personal edition is free, but they also have paid options if you plan to use the app to manage business documents.
10. Square
Square is another app that I’ve mentioned on my blog before. It was created to help people easily accept and make payments through most mobile devices, super convenient for small business owners. Square also organizes your receipts, and provides you with handy reports, especially useful during tax season.