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Apps to help with filing your taxes – Metro US

Apps to help with filing your taxes

Business person texting You don’t need a computer to file, just your phone.
Credit: Colourbox

If you’ve been putting off filing your taxes because just the thought of doing them is overwhelming, there’s now an app for that. From traditional filing services that have migrated to mobiles and tablets, to apps that break things down and help you find hidden deductions, these programs can make your taxes easier to do than ever. Check out the best ones below:

TurboTax
Available for iPad, free
The most popular tax preparation site is now available for the iPad. Just like the website, the app breaks filing down into a simple step-by-step process that’s extremely easy to follow. Even if this is your first time filing taxes on your own, this simple app should help you get the hang of it. You can file both federal and state tax returns through the app. TurboTax does charge a fee of $29.99 for filing federal taxes, and a separate fee for filing state taxes.

SnapTax
Available for iOS and Android, free
Another app by TurboTax, this new feature allows you to file your taxes from your phone in a really speedy way. All you do is snap a photo of your W-2 and answer a questionnaire. That’s it. This app is geared toward people who make less than $100,000, don’t own a home and only have W-2, interest or unemployment income. If you don’t fall into those categories, you should file through traditional TurboTax or another way because your taxes are a little more complicated. While the app is free, there is a $24.99 fee to file from your phone.

Bloomberg NBA’s Quick Tax Reference
Available for iOS, Android and Blackberry, free
You don’t need one of those bulky tax code reference books to look up pensions, gift taxes or whatever else you have questions about — just use this app. It also can quickly calculate what your taxable income is.

TaxSlayer
Available for iOs and Android, free
Once you’ve filed your taxes, you really just want to know where the heck your refund is, right? This app keeps track of it for you. You can find out the status of your refund and when you can expect your checks for both federal and state taxes.

Follow Emily on Twitter: @EmLaurence