There are now iPhone and Android apps from TurboTax maker Intuit, called SnapTax, for filing your taxes directly from your phone. TurboTax claims that it is so easy it is magic.
SnapTax uses optical character recognition (OCR) to enter W-2 information, and it shows a running tally of the refund, or taxes owed, every step of the way.
Introduced last year in California, SnapTax allows taxpayers with
simple tax returns (1040-EZ only) to snap a photo of their W-2 with
their mobile phones, and then it automatically enters the information into
their tax return. Taxpayers answer a few basic questions, review their
return for accuracy, and tap "File Now" to electronically file their
federal and state tax returns in minutes.
If you have a more complicated tax return or have tax questions, TurboTax will answer your questions for free until January 31 with "Ask a Tax Expert." A tax consultant will call you and help you with your questions at
http://www.freetaxquestion.com.
"SnapTax offers an entirely new and unique way to file taxes," said Barry Saik, vice president of product management for TurboTax. "Now, millions of taxpayers across the country can do their taxes easily and accurately from their mobile phones in just minutes. SnapTax is the next innovation from TurboTax that revolutionizes how people tackle the annual task of doing their taxes."
Taxpayers download the free SnapTax app and pay when they are ready to electronically file their return. The introductory price of $14.99 includes one federal 1040EZ and one state tax return plus e-filing. SnapTax is available through the Apple App Store, Android Market, or by going to SnapTax.com.
To view a SnapTax video and get more information, go to Tax Break, the TurboTax blog. Taxpayers can follow TurboTax on Twitter or become a fan on Facebook.