In a Hurry to File Your Taxes? This App Can Help

If you’re like many Americans, you have yet to file your taxes. But with the tax filing deadline looming ever nearer — it’s April 18 this year — time is of the essence.

A relatively new app promises to make the sometimes arduous task of filing your taxes quick and painless. Taxfyle is described on its website as “a ‘done-for-you’ tax app and not a ‘do-it-yourself’ tax software.”

Here’s how it works. The app asks you to answer a few simple questions, and then it provides you with a quote for tax services. According to CNN Tech, prices start at $39 and vary depending on the complexity of clients’ taxes.

For example, someone who earned income in several states and owns multiple businesses would be more complicated than a standard W-2 employee who rents an apartment. Taxfyle claims its services run about 40 percent cheaper than H&R Block.

If you’re happy with your Taxfyle quote, the app will match you with a qualified tax professional — either a certified public accountant or an enrolled agent. You communicate with the tax pro via Taxfyle’s encrypted messaging feature.

You can sign your return right on your smartphone. You also have the option to print the form, sign it and then upload a scanned copy to Taxfyle. Your tax pro will send you a message when your tax return has been filed and accepted.

Taxfyle is available for download through iTunes and Google Play.

There are a lot of other apps that can help you with your taxes — from personal expense tracker Shoeboxes to logging your travel deductions with MileIQ or MileBug. Check out those apps and more in “Tax Hacks 2017: The Best Apps to Get Your Taxes to the Finish Line.”

For information on saving money when you file, check out “Tax Hacks 2017: Don’t Miss These 16 Often-Overlooked Tax Breaks.”

Have you filed your tax forms for 2016? Share your experiences and tax strategies in the comments below or on our Facebook page.