We tested the top tax prep services that let you file tax returns from your phone. Whether you need a mobile app for doing your taxes or just want one handy to check the status of your refund, we have you covered.
Online tax preparation sites and their companion mobile versions have radically changed the way people in the US file income taxes. Rather than scribbling on a handful of IRS paper forms and schedules you grabbed at the public library, you’re now almost as likely to turn to dedicated services and software that have streamlined and simplified the process. In fact, according to the IRS,46% of tax returns e-filed for the 2020 tax year (roughly 72 million) were prepared using tax software or online services. In the early days of e-filing, you needed a full-sized computer or laptop, but now you can prepare and file your taxes entirely from your phone or tablet, even if your tax situation is complex. You can also use mobile tax apps and mobile tax websites check the status of your refund after you file. If you’ve felt lost using a tax app in the past, consider giving it another try this year. These services just keep getting better, and if you follow our tips for mastering your tax app, you might be surprised how easy it is to get through your return preparation. Tax software can help you get the biggest refund you’re due, for one thing. Since these services are thorough and encourage accuracy, they can also help you avoid being audited by the IRS. The 2022 Mobile Tax Lineup This year we reviewed eight personal tax preparation services and their companion mobile versions. Some of the mobile versions are dedicated Android apps and iOS apps, while others are mobile versions of the services‘ websites, which you can access from any mobile browser. Tax services that use mobile sites instead of apps adapt to the size of the screen and the type of inputs required by the device being used (with what’s called responsive design). The interface and elements may look slightly different, but the functionality remains the same. The following services among those we reviewed use dedicated mobile apps: TurboTax, H&R Block, TaxAct, TaxSlayer, and Cash App Taxes (formerly Credit Karma Tax). The services that use mobile versions of their websites are FreeTaxUSA, Jackson Hewitt, and Liberty Tax. In our reviews of these sites, we include information about the mobile access they provide and its quality. In general, there was less innovation in this year’s tax services compared with the advances we saw last year. This may be a consequence of development and support staff still working from home and dealing with other effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Still, all the companies whose sites we reviewed managed to update their services for the 2021 tax year and, in some cases, make improvements. Those enhancements carry over to their mobile versions. What Does It Cost to File Taxes on Your Phone? Most of the companies behind these applications offer multiple levels of their services. The price is the same whether you access the service via your desktop or a dedicated mobile app. If your financial situation is simple enough that you can file a 1040 and a few other forms and schedules, several of these services—like TurboTax, H&R Block, and TaxSlayer —offer free editions that you can use to file both your federal and state income taxes. Other free services, such as Cash App Taxes and FreeTaxUSA, support more advanced tax needs, like reporting self-employment income, capital gains, and rental income. Does it sound like you might have trouble deciding which site you should use and at what level? You might. But tax apps help guide you to the right option. In most cases, the more complex your return, the more you’ll pay. You’ll rarely pay more than $100, and sometimes much less. Unlike desktop software, which you have to pay for upfront, these online tax services don’t collect money until your return is ready to file, which means you can try before you buy. Note, too, that you might qualify to use paid commercial software like TaxSlayer for free, if your adjusted gross income is below $73,000 or if you’re in the military.
