Here are some reliable, no-cost options to help you track income, deductions, expenses, and documents:

1. IRS Free File Program (US Only)

   • What it is: A free tax preparation and filing service for eligible taxpayers (income under $79,000 in 2023). It includes basic organization tools to input and categorize your financial data.
   • How to access: Visit irs.gov/freefile. Partners like TurboTax, H&R Block, and TaxAct provide the software.
   • Pros: Official, secure, and guides you through organization.
   • Cons: Limited to simple returns; not for complex situations.

2. TurboTax Free Edition

   • What it is: A free version of the popular tax software that helps organize receipts, income, and deductions. It generates reports and can file electronically.
   • How to access: Download from turbotax.com (free for simple returns).
   • Pros: User-friendly interface with step-by-step organization.
   • Cons: Ads and upsells; requires internet for filing.

3. Mint or Personal Capital (Budgeting Apps with Tax Features)

   • What it is: Free budgeting apps that can categorize expenses for tax purposes (e.g., tracking deductible items like home office costs).
   • How to access: Mint via mint.com or Personal Capital via personalcapital.com.
   • Pros: Integrates with bank accounts for automatic tracking.
   • Cons: Not specifically tax-focused; export data to a tax tool.

4. Open-Source or Free Templates

   • Google Sheets/Excel Templates: Search for “free tax organizer template” on Google. Sites like Vertex42 or Microsoft offer downloadable spreadsheets to log income, expenses, and deductions.
   • Example: A simple template might include columns for date, description, amount, category (e.g., medical, charitable), and tax year.
   • How to use: Customize and save digitally or print for physical organization.

5. TaxAct Free Version

   • What it is: Free tax preparation software with organization features for basic returns.
   • How to access: taxact.com.
   • Pros: Straightforward for beginners.
   • Cons: Similar to TurboTax, with limitations on complexity.