WIRELESS AND MOBILE NEWS

You may have noticed people are losing sleep and grumbling while they are attempting to get ready for tax time.  Filing online has become common place but what about filing from a mobile phone? Many of the IRS and tax websites use Flash and are too large for a small phone screen.

iPhone owners who want to file will have it easier, but only in California. SnapTax is an IPhone app that allows CA residents with simple returns to e- file a federal and state return right from their iPhone in minutes. Instead of entering W-2 forms by hand, users can take of photo of the forms.

SnapTax uses optical character recognition (OCR) software to allow you to prepare and e-file federal and state returns entirely from your iPhone. It's simple.  In fact, you can file your taxes in just three easy steps:  Snap a photo of your 2009 W-2 with your iPhone. Get your maximum refund by answering a few simple questions. Review your tax information, then e-file - all within a matter on minutes.

It's for simple returns only in the State of California.  TaxSnap costs $9.99, which includes federal and California state preparation and e-file.   o get the most out of SnapTax's innovative OCR capabilities, TurboTax  recommends using it on the iPhone 3GS. 

TaxCaster Mobile - a calculator that helps taxpayers get an estimate of what their refund might be so there's no surprises come April 15.

If you didn't keep good track of your mileage in previous years, you can use the GPS in your iPhone to do it for you.  Tap2Track Mileage  isa mileage tracker that uses Google Maps and the iPhone's GPS to keep accurate, detailed records of each driving trip.

BlackBerry users can save receipts with Tax Receipt Shoebox  application helps with improved billing and expense tracking. It takes photos of the receipts and also enters contact information. You can track meeting times for better billing.

The 99 cent 2009 Federal Tax Estimator Android won't file taxes you can enter data into this Android app, such as your filing status and your number of dependents. The app supports multiple W2s and stores data for you take with you your accountant or tax adviser.

Another iPhone centric app is H & R Block Tax Answers. With H&R Block Tax Answers you can ask an experienced H&R Block Tax Professional a tax question or browse tax questions asked by others - all for free. It lets you get definitions of  tax terms . Then if you are in an H&R Block mood, you can se GPS or your ZIP to find the H&R Block office near you.

The H&R Block app for the iPhone and iPod touch is FREE and can be downloaded by visiting the App Store on your device or from your computer.

If you have a super web browser on your phone, you can try to file an extension online. We're not sure what phones it will work on. Taxpayers who need extra time to file their federal returns this year can file the Form 4868 request for an automatic extension through IRS Free File. The extension gives you an additional six months, until Oct. 15, to file the tax return.

Taxpayers can file the request for extension with traditional Free File or Free File Fillable Forms. Using Free File to prepare and electronically submit Form 4868 is free to everyone.

An extension of time to file is not an extension of time to pay. You need to estimate your tax liability and pay any balance due when you request the extension. Several payment options are available, including electronic funds withdrawal, credit card and check.