Jan 3, 2023

How to File Your Taxes Using Your Phone

Reading time: 8 minutes

Gone are the days when you had to use a desktop or laptop computer to file your taxes. In fact, if your taxes are not complicated, you might not even need an accountant to do them for you.

Thanks to the camera on your phone, you basically have everything you need to file your taxes. You can scan and save all your tax documents in a snap and easily attach and submit them with your return.

The following are things you need to know about filing your taxes using your cellphone, and they pertain to Apple and Android users alike. PureTalk is also giving you a quick overview of several tax apps. These can help you get the biggest refund you’re qualified to receive and get it faster than ever. But before you decide which app to use, do some research and read user reviews. You don’t want to get into a situation where a function you thought was available isn’t.

A few reasons to file your taxes using your phone

Filing your taxes using your smartphone might sound a bit daunting. A cell phone isn’t a big device, and its size could concern you. You could also be thinking how tedious the whole endeavor will be. Like most things, once you’ve got some experience with filing your taxes via our smartphone, you’ll see how easy it is. In fact, there are some super reasons to use your cell. Here is a couple:

Convenience.

If you don’t have a computer or access to one, you most likely have a smartphone. Most people do. It could be iOS or Android, and both make it easy to file using the tax apps in the App Store and Google Play. Everything you need to file is, frankly, at your fingertips. Now that’s convenient.

Speed.

As mentioned previously, using your phone’s camera to scan tax documents and attach them to your taxes makes the entire process faster. And if you have used a particular tax app previously, much of your information is already saved. This means you’ll spend less time completing the forms and you could end up filing that much faster.

What are the negatives to do doing your taxes on your phone?

Security.

The biggest negative is forgetting to delete the tax documents you’ve scanned and sent after you send them. Let’s face it. These have all your identifying information – full name, address, and Social Security number. Your phone saves them as photos, so you need to get in there and delete every last one. Should your phone be lost or stolen, and if someone finds those photos, they could do serious damage to your finances or steal your identity.

Complicated taxes.

The simpler your tax situation is, the easier it is to file by phone. But, if you bought a house last year, launched a business, invested in cryptocurrency, etc., these kinds of transactions could make using your cell phone to file more difficult particularly if this is the first time you are filing by phone.

A few of the most popular tax apps for filing by phone

The most popular tax apps for filing by phone include TurboTax by Intuit, H&R Block Tax File and Prep, Tax Slayer, and Cash App Taxes. All:

Permit you to scan documents with your camera
Contact tax experts for assistance
Offer two-factor authentication and Face ID/Touch ID sign-in
The opportunity to have a tax pro review your taxes prior to filing. This person can even file for you if you like

Simple tax returns can be filed for free, but each app charges a fee for more complicated returns. TaxSlayer, an app not as well-known as TurboTax and H&R Block, frequently offers better prices for complex returns. As it pertains to Cash App, if you already have it on your phone, you don’t even need to install another app. Simply click the “banking” tab to get started.

A few final suggestions

Research the app you’d like to use

As mentioned earlier, before you dive headfirst into a particular tax app, read its description in Google Play or the App Store and really read the user reviews. You can also research it using Google and of course you should ask family and friends who have used it what their experience was. Filing using your phone is not difficult, but as with filing on a computer, you do need to know certain things ahead of time.

Research the tax deductions for 2022

Just because you are using an app that enables you to file for free doesn’t mean you shouldn’t look for other ways not to pay Uncle Sam more than you have to.

Visit irs.gov for the latest adjustments in revenue procedure. For example, the standard deduction for married couples filing jointly for tax year 2022 is up $800 to $25,900. For single taxpayers and married individuals filing separately, the standard deduction is up $400 to $12,950, and for heads of households, the standard deduction is up $600 to $19,400.

It’s important to know this stuff so you keep as much of your hard-earned money in your pocket as possible.

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Frequently asked questions about PureTalk

When do I get my bill?

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You sure can! Log into MY ACCOUNT and click on the Billing tab and Pay Now. Note that making a one-time payment outside of your AutoPay will incur a $5.00 transaction fee. We encourage our customers to enroll in AutoPay where payments are automatically deducted each month on your bill due date.

Can I pay for my service with a prepaid credit card?

Yes, as long as the prepaid credit card is a VISA, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover, you may use a prepaid credit card.

How do I update my payment method?

You can update your payment method by logging into MY ACCOUNT. “Change AutoPay” will be located under the "Billing" tab. You can also call Customer Support at 1-877-820-7873 or 611 from your PureTalk phone if you need some help.

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Your first monthly billing cycle begins on the day you activate service. Your billing cycle will start on the same date each month. If you activate your line on the 15th of February, for example, you will be billed next on the 15th of March and on the 15th of every month thereafter. To find your bill date, log into MY ACCOUNT or call Customer Support at 1-877-820-7873 or 611 from your PureTalk phone.

How long is my billing cycle?

Your billing cycle is monthly. Payment is always due on the same date each month depending on the date you completed your activation. Visit MY ACCOUNT for details or call Customer Support at 1-877-820-7873 or 611 from your PureTalk phone for more billing details.

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PureTalk doesn't charge line activation fees or monthly line access fees like many carriers do, but the Federal government does require us to charge taxes and regulatory fees (such as 911 emergency services) which are added to your monthly payment as "taxes & fees." Taxes vary based on your city/state location. You can view a breakdown of the taxes and fees in the MY ACCOUNT Billing section.

Can I change my plan during the month?

You can change your plan at any time. Simply go to MY ACCOUNT click the Plan tab and choose Change Service Plan.

How do I add a line to my account?

Log in to MY ACCOUNT and go to the PLAN tab. Then click the "Add a new line" button on the right side of the page. This is will ensure that you receive your multi-line discount.

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If your phone is lost or stolen, and you think you may find your phone, you can choose to suspend your line temporarily. Suspending your line means your phone will not be able to make calls or text. However, while suspended, you are still responsible for your monthly payment. If you believe you will not find your phone, we suggest to go ahead and purchase a new device, so we may port your number over to your new device.

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If I am out of the US for an extended period how much do I pay per month to maintain my service? Is there a time limit?

If you wish to keep your service active, your monthly payment is required to be paid in full each month while you are away. PureTalk does not offer service suspension.

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At PureTalk, you have one monthly payment date for all lines on your account, even if you add a line during a monthly billing cycle. When adding a line, you are required to prepay for the monthly plan. PureTalk will then prorate the monthly plan and a credit will appear on your bill.

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No, please keep your current service active. We want to make sure you have continuous coverage until your PureTalk activation has been completed. Additionally, if you are porting your number, your account will be required to remain open to transfer the number over.

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To protect your security and privacy, all cancellations must take place over the phone.

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Absolutely! PureTalk runs on the nation's largest GSM network, which covers 99% of Americans. Check out our coverage map. PureTalk also offers 5G coverage. Actual 5G availability, coverage, and speed may vary. 5G is not available in all areas and a 5G capable device is required.

Is PureTalk right for me?

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Posted 1 year ago