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Thanks to a little something called the American Revolution and being included on a short list with death and other unsavory inevitabilities, taxes likely won’t make the “hobbies” section of your Facebook page. Unless you filed for an extension, you’re still relatively freshly removed from the tax deadline, and may still be reeling from the stress and nitpicky monotony. ‘Twas the season, and ’twill be the season sooner than you think.
As with any major task or plan in life, and especially with your small business, it’s best to plan ahead and get organized now. Think back on this last round of taxes, what issues did you encounter? What could have gone smoother? What would you change? Whatever the answer is, there is certainly an app for that. While some cost money, you may be able to qualify for a tax deduction for the money spent on a tax prep app. Here then, in alphabetical order, are 5 apps that will save you a headache next tax season.
1. FreshBooks
FreshBooks: Small Business Cloud Accounting Software
It’s always nice when technology can do the busy work for you. FreshBooks come at a monthly fee, varying depending on the size of your business and accounting needs. You’ll be able to run your expenses through it, create invoices, and produce the reports you’ll need when tax season comes around.
To make things convenient, you’ll even be able to send your accountant the documents they need directly from your FreshBooks account. They’ll have access to the info they need to save you time shuffling through reports instead of taking your business to new heights.
2. Hurdlr
Speaking of tedious things, sometimes you have to track your miles for your business. Hurdlr has an easy-to-use feature to track your miles, and can also be linked to your bank account to track your expenses for you.
It’s simply one less thing to do that gives you that valuable time to work on your business.
3. iDonatedIt
Don’t underestimate the power of your charitable donations. Not only do they help others and make the world that much better, but they can help your business.
It can seem like a hassle sometimes to keep track of the receipts from your donations at certain businesses like a thrift store, but iDonatedIt gives you a place to keep track of it all and have the figures ready at tax time. In the end, it’s that much more time saved and that much more money in your pocket.
4. QuickBooks
Online Payroll by Intuit
While similar to FreshBooks, there are some features that set the two apart. You’ll certainly be able to track expenses and generate invoices for clients through QuickBooks, and you’ll also be able to invite your accountant to view your account and see your numbers. In addition, however, QuickBooks has tools that help you and your accountant maximize your tax deductions. That means more money, and you like the sound of that.
For more details on pricing and features, take a look at Nav’s comparison of Freshbooks and QuickBooks.
5. TurboTax
If you’ve fully embraced the tech age and don’t require the personal touch of an accountant with a pulse, TurboTax is a great option. You may have used TurboTax in the past to file your personal taxes, and you can use it now to file your business taxes. With a very comprehensive process to check for every possible deduction and double-check that you have all the right documents, it’s hard to mess it up with Turbo Tax.
This article was originally written on July 9, 2018 and updated on January 31, 2021.
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