If you want to rattle even the most zen among us, utter the words, “tax time.”
Among the phrases that can rapidly strike fear into our hearts, that must be among the fastest-acting. The whole process is just so darn HUGE: Confusing plus government plus money plus overwhelm: could there be a more potent stew of anxiety?
I just completed my taxes, corporate and personal, and am stunned that I got things done in a timely fashion. Whether you’re getting an accountant’s help or braving it on your own (I bow to you), this list of tools can help you calm down and ace all those deductions.
Free File
Name-brand tax prep software is expensive, and paying to file taxes can feel like adding insult to injury. Free File is the IRS’ collaboration with top tax prep companies, so you can use their services for free.
Ask a CPA
This free app not only offers instant, archived answers to popular tax-related questions (for instance, “What do I do with box 3 on the W2 form?”), but if your question isn’t in the database, you can request help from a local CPA, gratis.
IRS2Go
Yes, the IRS has an official app! This is the easy way to stay up-to-date on your refund status, plus you can locate and find out if you qualify for free tax prep assistance.
TaxPocket
The TaxPocket app connects directly to your CPA, so as you scan and upload receipts throughout the year, your CPA receives them. It’s also handy because physical receipts can fade over time; this ensures that they’ll still be readable if you’re ever (gulp) audited.
H&R Block refund calculator
Can you expect to get money back from the IRS? Or should you steel yourself for a bill? This handy calculator can give you an instant estimate, and show you whether you’re in the red or in the black.
ScanSnap s1100i mobile scanner
The ScanSnap S1100i is incredibly handy for a few reasons. One, it can come to your receipt pile, so you don’t have to drag the pile to it. Two, it extracts data from your scans so you can export receipt info for tax time. And the ScanSnap app lets you scan to your phone or iPad so your data is accessible everywhere.
MileBug
Deducting mileage? This app can use your phone’s GPS to precisely track your trips, then generates trip reports and converts miles into dollars based on this tax year’s rate.
Shoeboxed
If you’ve got piles of receipts and no time to scan them yourself, you can mail them to this company. Shoeboxed also offers mileage tracking, can archive receipts from Gmail, and turn physical business cards into digital address book contacts.
ItsDeductible
What are your thrift store donations worth? Enter all those dresses, end tables and cargo pants into the It’s Deductible app, and it will compute their value for you—plus you can enter all your other charitable donations, so everything is in one place.
