1. Mileage and record keeping – There’s an App for that!
Insert your name here, EA

2. Why all the fuss?
You have two choices in keeping track of your income and expenses:
Pencil and paper.
Using an app on your mobile device.
Both require time and discipline. However, with the growth of smart phones and tablets, it is getting easier for the average person to do in minutes what would have otherwise taken two or three days.

3. Why should I care? IRS!
You may forget expenses when you prepare your tax return unless you record them when they occur.
You must keep your business records available at all times for inspection by the IRS.
You may choose any recordkeeping system suited to your business that clearly shows your income and expenses.

4. What is an App?
An app is a piece of software that can be installed onto iPhones, iPads and Android devices. These can be downloaded from the Internet and come in the form of games or other useful tools, such as a currency converter or other small programs to increase productivity.
Low cost or free.
Some are subscription based.
There are a few major player in the App store market: ITunes, Android, Amazon and Google. Often the Free App programs are full of ads wanting to sell you products and services that they partner on. The only way to “UNLOCK” the ad portion is to upgrade to the costlier program. Some offer a monthly subscription, but be careful, some of these are yearly and they market a low cost but charge you for the whole year.

5. Mileage Trackers Milebug ($2.99)
TripLog - GPS Mileage Log Tracker (Free)
Vehicle Trip Logbook (Free)
EasyBiz Mileage Tracker ($2.99)
Mile Log Keeper – Organizer ($1.99)
All of these will provide the same information, allowing for ease of tracking. Check with your service provider to determine what works with your device.

6. Hours and business tools
Hours Tracker Pro ($8.99)
Street Invoice (Free)
Expensify (free)
Receipts Pro - Expense Tracker ($9.99)
Solo Expenses (Free)
Receipt Scanner (Free)
Business Exp. Tracker ($4.99)
Hours Tracker and Street Invoice are tools to track billing and expense at the job site. Street Invoice creates invoices almost instantly , which allows quicker payment for service. The next three are for collecting expenses. They use the camera feature to record receipts before you lose them. Makes simple reports to send to .

7. Travel and parking The Parking Scout (Free) Parking Pal ($.99)
Local City Guide (Free)
Concur-Travel (Free)
Business Travel Exp. Tracker (free/$4.99)
TripAdvisor (Free)
Parking Scout and Parking Pal help find parking spaces and/or garages in most cities. Local City Guide directs you to local venues and Trip Advisor is an all around good tool for flights, hotel and rental cars.

8. Useful but different Voice To Text (Free) Voice Notepad ($.99)
Text To Speech (Free)
iTranslate (Free)
SamCard Reader (Free)
People find themselves without pen or paper, but need to quickly recall information. Voice to Text and Voice Notepad allow you to speak into your phone to make notes and compose s while driving. Text to Speech will read your s, documents and notes back. iTranslate allows you to break down international barriers by translating any language in seconds. SamCard is a business reader and that will store business cards for later. Nothing is more frustrating than losing that card you just got.

9. Even the IRS has an app! IRS2GO
Refund Status Check the status of your federal income tax.  
Make a Payment It's never been simpler to make an electronic payment to the IRS. You can also make a credit or debit card payment through an approved payment processor.
 Free Tax Preparation Assistance The IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) Programs offer free tax help for taxpayers who qualify.  
Stay Connected Follow us on Twitter and Tumblr, watch helpful videos on YouTube, subscribe to receive IRS Tax Tips, and more.
Can be found on the IRS site and direct you to the app store that fits your device.

10. Bottom line.
Regardless of whether you still use pencil and paper or you choose to use the latest apps from ITunes, Google, or Android, it still requires time and discipline to make the notes or scan the receipts. If you cannot find the time to do it, no high tech tool will help you out.