NZ Tax Refunds has added iOS and Android apps to the ways users can find out if they’re owed a tax refund.

The Woohoo app takes a more iterative approach to the process, asking more questions and guiding the user, says CEO Cilla Hegarty. It also notifies users about the progress of their refund.

She says it isn’t designed as a point of difference among competitors, but to streamline the experience for customers.

“Adding technology wherever we can smooths the path, makes it less invasive and gives [users] the information they want,” she says.

Using the service on desktop or mobile reveals whether a refund is owed within 60 seconds of the application being completed, and Hegarty says the speed will be similar using the app.

As well as applying for a refund and viewing the status of the refund, users can update NZ Tax Refunds if their details or circumstances change and get regular notifications about the estimated date of their refund release from the IRD.

The company is also offering weekly prize draws and a reduced fee for app users of 14 percent. It stresses the app is secure, with personal and bank details protected by encryption and a time out function if the app isn’t used for a certain length of time.

About 50 per cent of the traffic to the NZ Tax Refunds website is from mobile devices, including tablets, the company says.

The app was developed by Group Lark, headed by internationally-known Kiwi marketer and entrepreneur Andy Lark.