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Keeper review
Find hidden tax write-offs with this 1099 expense tracker for freelancers and independent contractors.
Keeper is a 1099 expense tracker that scours your financial accounts to catch every expense you can write off on your taxes. It’s best for independent contractors, freelancers and small business owners who want to maximize their tax savings without having to do extra work. But it costs $16 a month, plus a one-time fee of $192 or $39 each tax season.
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$192
Federal starting price
Included
State returns starting price
Details
| Federal starting price | $192 |
|---|---|
| Maximum return guaranteed? | Yes |
| Payment options | Credit, Debit |
Review by
Cassidy Horton
cassidy.horton@findercrew.comCassidy Horton is a freelance copywriter and journalist, specializing in personal finance. Her writing and analysis has been featured in Forbes Advisor, Money, The Balance, Money Under 30, Insure.com and other top digital publishers. She holds a BS in public relations and an MBA from Georgia Southern University.
Expert review
Keeper is best for freelancers, contractors or 1099 employees who want to make sure they find every tax write-off imaginable without adding more work to their plate. The program uses artificial intelligence and licensed tax bookkeepers to catch and categorize your business expenses as you make them, estimate your quarterly estimated tax payments and help you file your taxes. Keeper launched in 2018 and has already saved freelancers a combined $40 million in taxes, according to its website.But as with most tax programs, it isn’t free — you’ll pay $16 a month to have Keeper monitor your accounts. That adds up to almost $200 a year. Plus, you’ll pay $192 if you want to file your taxes through the platform or $39 if you want to export your expenses and file somewhere else.
If you have a lot of business expenses, it may be worth the price. But if you’re a one-person show with little to no overhead, you may be better off tracking things manually.
How much does Keeper cost?
Keeper costs $16 a month. You can pay this fee using a credit card or linked bank account.This chart highlights all the fees you could end up paying with Keeper:
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| To have Keeper monitor your expenses | $16 a month |
| To file your federal and state tax return with Keeper | $192 a year |
| To export a report of your expenses and file with someone else | $39 a year |
How to sign up
Follow these steps to sign up for Keeper:
- Select Apply now.
- Enter your phone number on Keeper‘s website and select Text me the app.
- Tap the link on your phone to download the app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
- Follow the prompts to create your account and connect your financial accounts.
What are the benefits of Keeper?
Here are only a handful of benefits you may enjoy when you use Keeper as a freelancer or contractor:
- Catches missed write-offs. Keeper claims it saves the average customer $6,428 a year in taxes by catching write-offs that are often overlooked.
- Free trial. You get a 14-day free trial when you sign up, giving you plenty of time to decide if it’s the right program for you. But if you don’t plan to continue using it, make sure you set a reminder to stop the trial or you’ll risk a charge.
- Free resources. You’ll find all sorts of free resources on Keeper‘s website, including a tax bill calculator, tax rate calculator, tax deduction finder, questions answered by tax accountants and more.
- Assigned licensed tax bookkeeper. As a Keeper subscriber, you’ll get access to a licensed tax bookkeeper who can answer your questions and help you file your taxes.
- Audit protection. If Keeper spots an expense that could be flagged for audit, they’ll contact you to get it corrected.
What to watch out for
Keeper has some sweet perks, but there are a few downsides to watch out for:- Costs money. After your 14-day free trial expires, you’ll pay $16 a month, which is almost $200 a year. And to file your taxes you’ll pay $192 to file through Keeper or $39 to export your report and file elsewhere.
If you’re looking for a cheaper way to file your taxes, explore your options here.
Is Keeper safe?
Yes. Keeper uses Plaid to connect to your financial accounts via a secure connection. This system has read-only access to your transactions, so it can never view or store your bank credentials.
Keeper reviews and complaints
Keeper has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB). It scores 4.7 out of 5 stars from 119 customers as of November 2022.Keeper has a 4.6 out of 5-star rating in the Google Play Store based on 3,087 reviews and a 4.7 out of 5-star rating in the Apple App Store based on 5,959 reviews.Customers say that even with the $16 subscription fee, the app is worth it because it saves them hundreds in taxes. One user reported seeing a $500 savings within 30 minutes of opening their account. Still, some users report having issues getting the app to connect to their bank account.
Compare tax filing services
Use this interactive table to see how Keeper compares to other tax filing services.
How can I contact Keeper customer support?
You can reach Keeper customer service via email or social media:
- Email: support@keepertax.com
- Facebook: @keepertax
- Twitter: @keepertax
- Instagram: @Keeper.Tax
- LinkedIn: Keeper
Frequently asked questions
How does Keeper connect to my bank account?
Keeper connects to your bank accounts and credit cards using Plaid — a platform that currently supports over 2,000 financial institutions. If your institution isn’t currently supported, you can put in a request to have it added.Who should use Keeper?
Keeper is designed for freelancers, entrepreneurs and 1099 employees. It could be a good fit for you if you’re a:- Freelance writer, photographer, developer or consultant.
- Contract worker in construction or the fossil fuels industry.
- Driver for Amazon Flex, Uber, Lyft, Doordash, Grubhub and more.
- Event or wedding planner.
- Independent actor, model or teacher.
How does Keeper track purchases bought with cash?
If you use cash for your business, simply take a picture of the receipt and submit it to Keeper through the app. They’ll categorize it the same as a purchase you bought with your card.
