A Taxing Matter: TurboTax for iPad

Death and taxes: Each is just as unavoidable as the other. However, only one can be confronted head on with the iPad. While preparing for taxes is often no easy matter, developer Intuit has eased the burden a bit with TurboTax 2010 for iPad .

TurboTax 2010 is a user-friendly tax preparation tool that makes adding numbers and filing the proper forms less of a pain in the neck than doing it manually.

When TurboTax 2010 for iPad first starts up, it provides a step-by-step process for filing taxes; asking It for Personal Info, including name, address and other small items. It’ll also ask about family, in case a joint return is being filed or extra parties need to be accounted.

From there, it’ll guide you through each necessary form for both State and Federal filing. There are a variety of forms available in the app, many of which can be found at any given IRS or accountant’s office. They’re easy to fill out. Simply tap on the open field where text needs to be entered, and the virtual keyboard pops up. Type it in and move on to the next area.

As each form is completed, numbers begin to add up at the top of the screen for both Federal and the applied state. Green numbers indicate that a refund is coming back, while red numbers show some money possibly being owed. Don’t freak out, the number changes throughout the process, and all of it adds up once the paperwork is finished.

Once everything’s good to go, tap on Wrap-Up to review every aspect of the return. If everything appears to be in tip-top shape, proceed to Print & File, the final option on the main menu. Here, either manually print up the return to mail in to the local office, or, in traditional TurboTax fashion, file it electronically. Taking the emailing route promises a quicker refund than sending in a mailed one, though there is an additional fee. Federal returns run $29.99, while State ones go for $36.99.

Despite the somewhat high mailing fees, there are a couple of things to consider. First, the app itself is free to download, with no penalty for trying it out. Secondly, it’s not a “one-time use” thing, as TurboTax for iPad allows for the filing of multiple returns. And, lastly, an upgrade is available for the full retail version of TurboTax, ranging from $49.99 to $74.99, depending on which services are preferred.

Taxes may be a pain, but thanks to Intuit and TurboTax for iPad, they don’t have to seem that way. Now hurry – there’s only eleven days left to file.

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