It’s tax time: Easy ways to scan without a scanner (2024)

Kim Komando| Special to USA TODAY

Tax season isn’t only when the IRS kicks into high gear. Scammers do too.

Rumors swirl every time a new rule or regulation rolls out, and you can bet cybercriminals use that confusion to swindle people. Tap or click for a fact check: Do you need to submit a selfie with your taxes this year?

While you’re contemplating tax time, you might also be thinking, “I need to make some extra cash.” Lucky for you, we rounded up some interesting ways to make money from home.

First, though, get a head start on this year’s taxes by scanning in everything you need to.

Built-in option for iPhone

The Notes app isn’t just a place to jot down your grocery list. It includes a powerful scanner. Here’s how to use it:

• Open the Notes app. Click the icon that looks like a square with a pen in the bottom right corner of the screen to start a new note.

• Tap the camera icon at the bottom and select Scan Documents.

• Hold your phone over the document you want to scan. In Auto mode, the app will detect a document and scan it. In Manual mode, you need to snap the photo. Swap between modes at the top right of your screen.

• Tap the photo shutter button at the bottom of the screen to finish.

• Edit the image after you take it by dragging it around the page corners. When you're finished, tap Save on the bottom right of your screen.

Your file is saved as a PDF that you can email or message right from Notes.

Tax documents are private. After you scan them, lock those notes with a password. Tap or click here for directions; scroll to number 5.

It’s tax time: Easy ways to scan without a scanner (1)

It’s tax time: Easy ways to scan without a scanner (2)

Tax season 2022: What to know before you submit your return this year

The IRS is "buried" in paper after "most challenging" year for taxpayers, here's what to know for filing your tax return.

Staff video, USA TODAY

How to scan on an Android phone

On an Android smartphone, use Google Drive to scan in invoices, receipts, and whatever else you need to.

• Open the Google Drive app. Tap the plus button in the bottom right corner.

• Tap Scan and allow access to your camera if you have not already.

• You can choose to scan in regular scale (1x), zoom out to .7x scale, or zoom in to 2x scale.

• Take a photo of the document you’d like to scan. Hit the arrow to try again or the checkmark to confirm.

• From there, you can crop, rotate, or convert to black and white. Hit Save when you’re done.

• Add a file name and choose a folder to store to. Select Save again.

Security news: This new warning in Google Drive means a scammer may be after you

Use your computer instead

You'll likely need to get any tax-related docs on your computer. If you have a decent webcam, you can skip the phone scans and do it from there instead.

On a Mac:

• Open Photo Booth. Your webcam will automatically open.

• Place your document in front of the webcam and line it up on the screen.

• Hit the red photo icon to take a picture. It will then appear in the bottom right corner. Drag it onto your desktop or into a folder.

On a Windows PC:

• Open the Camera app.

• Line up your document before the webcam, then hit the white camera icon to snap a photo.

• Your photo will appear in the bottom right corner. Click it to open, then click the three dots in the upper right.

• Choose Open folder to see where it is stored on your computer, then move it anywhere you like.

Bonus Tip: My mother’s cancer journey ended

My mother was diagnosed with Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer in December 2017. By 2020, she was cancer-free. But cancer returned with a vengeance and doctors used the word “hospice.” Here’s my own journey with her passing.

Check out my podcast “Kim Komando Explains” on Apple, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player.

Listen to the podcast here or wherever you get your podcasts. Just search for my last name, “Komando.”

Learn about all the latest technology on theKim Komando Show, the nation's largest weekend radio talk show. Kim takes calls and dispenses advice on today's digital lifestyle, from smartphones and tablets to online privacy and data hacks. For her daily tips, free newsletters and more, visit her website atKomando.com.

The views and opinions expressed in this column are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY.

It’s tax time: Easy ways to scan without a scanner (2024)

FAQs

It’s tax time: Easy ways to scan without a scanner? ›

If you have a cell phone or tablet, you can still achieve the same results. Scan documents, worksheets, applications, or other pieces of paper for personal, school or work reasons using one of these options. Use your built-in phone or tablet camera to take a photo of your document. Then, attach the photo to your email.

Is there a way to scan documents without a scanner? ›

Scanning without a Scanner
  1. Printer - most printers are multifunction devices that include a scanning option. ...
  2. Smartphone Apps - a smartphone can take the place of a scanner. ...
  3. Smartphone Camera - as a last resort, use your cell phone or a digital camera and take a picture of the document.
May 11, 2023

What to do if you don't have a scanner? ›

If you have a cell phone or tablet, you can still achieve the same results. Scan documents, worksheets, applications, or other pieces of paper for personal, school or work reasons using one of these options. Use your built-in phone or tablet camera to take a photo of your document. Then, attach the photo to your email.

How do I scan a book without a scanner? ›

Use your phone. The easiest scanning solution is right in your pocket. Try Adobe Scan or another app that allows you to scan textbook pages into PDFs with a photo. Using your phone speeds up the process and allows you to quickly create folders of PDFs for each chapter or section of your textbook.

How to scan tax documents on phone? ›

Google Drive makes it simple to scan tax forms. With your physical tax document laid flat on a nonreflective surface, place the camera directly over the paper and position it in the frame. Make sure the tax document is in focus, and then hit the shutter button to take a photo. If the image looks good, tap OK.

How to easily scan documents? ›

To set up a shortcut to scan documents:
  1. Open your Android phone or tablet's widgets.
  2. Find the "Drive scan" widget.
  3. Touch and hold the widget.
  4. Drag it onto your Home screen. You may be asked to select an account.
  5. Choose the folder you'll save documents inside. If you want to create a folder, tap New Folder. ...
  6. Tap Select.

Can I use my phone instead of a scanner? ›

Can you scan a document using your phone? The answer is yes, and it's quick and easy to do so. To scan a document, all you need is a camera to capture the image and a way to save the scanned file.

How to scan lots of documents quickly? ›

For bulk scanning, you need production-grade scanners with high-volume output. These typically have large ADFs (automatic document feeders) for over 100 sheets, plus rapid scanning speeds of over one page a second.

What app can I use as a scanner? ›

Adobe Scan mobile app

Easily convert documents, forms, business cards, and whiteboards into high-quality PDFs with Adobe Scan.

What is the fastest way to scan a book? ›

The three most common ways to scan unbound books are using a high-speed scanner, an oversized scanner, or an overhead (or “planetary”) scanner. If the pages can easily be separated from the binding (such as Post Bound Books), sending them through a high-speed scanner is the most efficient option.

Can I take a photo instead of scanning? ›

While scanning is more accurate and provides greater detail, which is helpful if you ever want to edit your photos, taking pictures with your smartphone camera can be a cheaper, faster, and more convenient option. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference and what your goals are for digitizing your images.

Where can I scan my documents? ›

With a Staples store always nearby, we're your office on the go. You're never away from the office with Copy & Print. You can access the cloud, make copies, scan documents, send faxes, shred files and use the computer rental station at a Staples location. With a Staples store always nearby, we're your office on the go.

Can I scan my tax return and send it to the IRS? ›

The IRS Document Upload Tool is a secure, easy and fast way to send information to the IRS. You can use the tool to: Upload scans, photos or digital copies of documents as JPGs, PNGs or PDFs. Get confirmation that we received your documents.

What is the best way to scan receipts for taxes? ›

The best solution is to install a mobile scanner app and adopt the habit of scanning receipts for taxes so that everything is in one place and readily available. iScanner is one of the few solutions that are IRS-friendly because it allows you to: Scan receipts at 300 dpi.

Is it safe to scan tax documents? ›

The IRS accepts electronic records, so there's typically no reason to hang on to a statement or other piece of paper just because it was issued by your bank or other financial institution. Scan the originals to a digital format or consider going paperless by getting your statements electronically.

How can I use my phone as a scanner for my computer? ›

Option 3: Use the Google Drive App
  1. Open the Google Drive app.
  2. Tap the plus sign to add a file.
  3. Tap “Scan.”
Jan 4, 2024

Can I scan documents with my printer? ›

Turn the printer on and open the scanner – lift the scanner lid, load the document you wish to scan into the tray if your printer has an all-in-one paper feeder. Insert the document – place the document face-down in the scanner and use the arrow marking on the glass to help align your document in the correct place.

How to quickly digitize documents? ›

Get access to a scanner.

This technology is more advanced than taking a picture with the photo app. It can help you align and produce quality images, and, with OCR software (optical character recognition) can recognize and convert text into an accessible electronic format.

Is there a free document scanner? ›

Adobe Scan gives you the power to not only scan a document, but add drawings, shapes, and JPEGs to your PDFs right in the app. You can even save files as JPEGs for more flexibility, share scanned PDFs with a link or email, and upload them to your favorite cloud apps — all for free.

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