Related guides: Self-employed deductions (full list) · How to file taxes as a freelancer · What is Schedule C? · How much to set aside for taxes · Income tax calculator

If you're self-employed — freelancer, gig worker, sole proprietor, single-member LLC — you can't just use the basic free tier at any tax software company and call it a day. You need Schedule C support, self-employment tax calculations, and ideally guidance on deductions that W-2 employees never think about: home office, mileage, QBI, and health insurance premiums.

The problem: most tax software companies know this, and they charge you a premium for it. TurboTax wants $188 total for a single self-employed return with one state. Cash App Taxes does the same thing for $0. The difference isn't always quality — it's often just marketing budget.

Here's every option ranked, with honest takes on what each one does well and where it falls short.

The rankings: 6 best tax software for self-employed (2026)

#1 — Best Overall Editor's Pick
TurboTax Self-Employed
$129 federal + $59/state
TurboTax is the most expensive option on this list and it knows it. The reason it still lands at #1: the Schedule C walkthrough is genuinely the best in the industry. It asks plain-English questions about your business — what you do, where you work, what you spent money on — and translates your answers into the correct tax forms. If you've never filed self-employed taxes before, this hand-holding is worth real money in avoided mistakes.
It connects directly to QuickBooks Self-Employed for automatic expense import, has a deduction finder that scans for commonly missed write-offs, and offers audit defense as a $49 add-on (which gives you representation if the IRS comes knocking). The expense categorization is smart and mostly accurate, though you'll still want to double-check everything.

Pros

  • Best Schedule C walkthrough for beginners
  • QuickBooks SE integration pulls in expenses automatically
  • Deduction finder catches things you'd miss
  • Audit defense add-on ($49) with actual CPA representation
  • Accurate, polished, rarely glitchy

Cons

  • Most expensive option — $188+ for one return
  • Constant upselling during the filing process
  • Price has increased every year for five years straight
  • Free version is a bait-and-switch — Schedule C forces an upgrade
  • You're paying for UI polish, not unique tax math
Best for: First-time self-employed filers who want hand-holding and don't mind paying a premium for the smoothest experience.
#2 — Best Value Premium
H&R Block Self-Employed
$85 federal + $37/state
H&R Block's self-employed tier does almost everything TurboTax does at roughly half the price. Schedule C walkthrough, expense categorization, deduction guidance — it's all here, and it's competent. The interface isn't as slick as TurboTax, but it's perfectly functional.
The standout advantage: you can walk into an actual H&R Block office and get in-person help. For self-employed filers with complicated situations — or who just want someone to look over their return before they hit submit — that's a genuine differentiator. The Tax Pro Review add-on ($49) connects you with a CPA or EA who reviews your return and signs off on it. That's peace of mind you can't get from purely online software.

Pros

  • $66 cheaper than TurboTax for equivalent features
  • In-person support at 10,000+ locations
  • Tax Pro Review ($49) — real CPA checks your work
  • Solid Schedule C and expense categorization
  • Import prior-year returns from any software

Cons

  • UI feels slightly dated compared to TurboTax
  • Deduction finder is less aggressive than TurboTax
  • Still not cheap — $122 total for fed + one state
  • Upselling exists, though less aggressive than TurboTax
Best for: Self-employed filers who want premium features and optional human support without paying TurboTax prices.
#3 — Best Budget Pick Best Value
FreeTaxUSA
$0 federal + $14.99/state
FreeTaxUSA is the dirty secret of the tax software industry. It handles Schedule C, self-employment tax, quarterly estimate calculations, and every deduction TurboTax does — and the federal return is free. Not "free until we find out you're self-employed and then surprise, $129" free. Actually free. You pay $14.99 per state return and that's it.
The catch? The interface looks like it was designed in 2009. There are no fancy animations, no encouraging progress bars, no AI chatbot cheering you on. It's a series of forms and questions that look like they came straight from the IRS — because they basically did. If you know what Schedule C is, what SE tax means, and which deductions you're claiming, FreeTaxUSA will calculate everything correctly for a total cost of $14.99. If you need hand-holding, look elsewhere.

Pros

  • $0 federal filing — including Schedule C and SE tax
  • Only $14.99/state — total cost under $30 for most people
  • Accuracy is on par with TurboTax and H&R Block
  • Handles quarterly estimated tax calculations
  • No upselling during the filing process
  • Audit support available ($7.99 add-on)

Cons

  • UI is dated and bare-bones
  • No expense import from banking or accounting apps
  • Deduction guidance is minimal — you need to know what to claim
  • No in-person support
  • No live chat with a tax professional (without add-on)
Best for: Experienced self-employed filers who know their deductions and want accuracy at the lowest possible price.
#4 — Best Mid-Range
TaxSlayer Self-Employed
$54 federal + $39/state
TaxSlayer occupies the sweet spot between FreeTaxUSA's bare-bones approach and TurboTax's overpriced polish. At $93 total (fed + one state), you get Schedule C support, deduction guides specific to self-employed filers, and access to a tax professional via chat or phone — something FreeTaxUSA doesn't include by default.
The self-employed tier includes a dedicated support line with tax pros who actually understand Schedule C, 1099 income, and SE tax. That alone makes it worth the step up from FreeTaxUSA if you want a safety net. The deduction guide walks through common self-employed write-offs by category, which is helpful but not as thorough as TurboTax's interview-style approach.

Pros

  • Tax pro access included in self-employed tier
  • $93 total — less than half of TurboTax
  • Good Schedule C guidance for self-employed
  • Deduction guides organized by profession
  • Fast, clean filing experience

Cons

  • No expense import from accounting software
  • Interface is functional but forgettable
  • Less brand recognition means fewer user guides online
  • State filing at $39 is higher than FreeTaxUSA
Best for: Freelancers who want access to a real tax professional without paying TurboTax prices.
#5 — Best Free Option
Cash App Taxes (formerly Credit Karma Tax)
$0 federal + $0 state
Cash App Taxes is the only truly, completely free tax software that handles self-employed returns. $0 federal, $0 state, no surprise upsells, no hidden premium tier you need to unlock. It handles Schedule C, calculates self-employment tax, and supports all the standard deductions. If your goal is to spend exactly $0 and you're comfortable filing without much guidance, this is it.
The honest caveat: the guidance is bare minimum. Cash App Taxes doesn't walk you through your deductions the way TurboTax or even TaxSlayer does. It's essentially an electronic version of paper forms with some basic tooltips. If you miss a deduction, it won't catch it for you. You also can't import expenses from accounting software, and the mobile-first design means the desktop experience feels like an afterthought. But the price is unbeatable because there is no price.

Pros

  • $0 total cost — federal and state, no exceptions
  • Handles Schedule C and SE tax correctly
  • No upselling because there's nothing to upsell
  • Simple, fast interface
  • Backed by Block, Inc. (same parent as Square)

Cons

  • Minimal deduction guidance — won't find deductions for you
  • No tax pro access whatsoever
  • No expense import from accounting apps
  • Mobile-first design is cramped on desktop
  • No audit support or defense options
  • Limited help documentation for complex situations
Best for: Experienced self-employed filers who know exactly what they're doing and want to pay absolutely nothing.
#6 — Decent but Unremarkable
TaxAct Self-Employed
$64 federal + $49/state
TaxAct Self-Employed is a perfectly functional tax filing tool, and that's about the nicest thing we can say about it. At $113 total (fed + one state), it's priced between TaxSlayer and H&R Block but doesn't offer a compelling reason to choose it over either one. H&R Block gives you in-person support for $9 more. TaxSlayer gives you tax pro access for $20 less. FreeTaxUSA gives you the same Schedule C handling for $98 less.
TaxAct handles Schedule C, supports prior-year return imports, and has a deduction maximizer feature. It works. It's accurate. But in a market where FreeTaxUSA is free and Cash App Taxes is completely free, "it works" isn't enough to stand out. The $49 state filing fee is also the highest on this list, which stings when cheaper options are just as accurate.

Pros

  • Accurate calculations and e-filing
  • Import prior-year returns from other software
  • Deduction maximizer feature
  • Straightforward filing process

Cons

  • $49 state filing is the most expensive on this list
  • No standout features over cheaper alternatives
  • No in-person support (unlike H&R Block at similar price)
  • Deduction guidance is generic, not self-employed-specific
  • Hard to justify over FreeTaxUSA at $98 less total
Best for: Honestly hard to recommend. If you've used TaxAct for years and like the familiarity, it's fine. Otherwise, FreeTaxUSA or H&R Block are better picks at their price points.

Master comparison: all 6 options side by side

Software Federal State Total* Schedule C SE Tax Quarterly Est. Expense Import Audit Support Mobile Filing
TurboTax SE $129 $59 $188 Yes Yes Yes Yes $49 add-on Yes
H&R Block SE $85 $37 $122 Yes Yes Yes Yes $49 add-on Yes
FreeTaxUSA $0 $14.99 $14.99 Yes Yes Yes No $7.99 add-on No
TaxSlayer SE $54 $39 $93 Yes Yes Yes No Included Yes
Cash App Taxes $0 $0 $0 Yes Yes No No No Yes
TaxAct SE $64 $49 $113 Yes Yes Yes No $39 add-on Yes

*Total = federal + one state return. Prices as of April 2026.

What self-employed filers actually need (vs. basic W-2 filers)

If you've only ever filed as a W-2 employee, self-employed taxes are a different game. Your employer used to handle half of your payroll taxes, withhold income tax, and give you a single W-2 at the end of the year. Now you're responsible for all of it. Here's what changes:

Schedule C (Form 1040). This is the form where you report your business income and expenses. Every self-employed person files one. It's where you deduct your business expenses from your gross income to arrive at your net profit. The net profit flows to your 1040 and determines both your income tax and self-employment tax. If your tax software doesn't have robust Schedule C support, you're using the wrong software.

Self-employment tax (15.3%). As a W-2 employee, you paid 7.65% for Social Security and Medicare — and your employer matched it. Now you pay both halves: 12.4% Social Security (up to the wage base of $176,100 in 2026) and 2.9% Medicare (no cap). That's 15.3% on top of your income tax. It hits hard the first time you see it. The silver lining: you deduct half of it on your 1040.

QBI deduction (Section 199A). The Qualified Business Income deduction lets you deduct up to 20% of your net business income if your taxable income is below $191,950 (single) or $383,900 (married filing jointly). Most freelancers qualify. This is free money — make sure your software calculates it. All six options on this list do, but the cheaper ones may not flag it as prominently.

Home office deduction. If you work from home regularly and exclusively in a dedicated space, you can deduct it. The simplified method gives you $5/sq ft up to 300 sq ft ($1,500 max). The actual expense method can be worth more but requires tracking your rent/mortgage interest, utilities, and insurance. Good tax software should ask you about this and calculate both methods so you can pick the higher deduction.

Mileage and vehicle expenses. Business driving — client meetings, supply runs, job sites — is deductible at 67 cents per mile (2026 rate) or actual expenses. You need a mileage log either way. TurboTax and H&R Block prompt you for this; the free options may not.

For the full list of deductions, read our complete guide to self-employed tax deductions.

Free vs. paid: is it worth spending money on tax software?

Let's be blunt: tax software companies have spent billions of dollars convincing Americans that filing taxes is too complicated to do without their premium product. The IRS itself offers Free File for people under $84,000 AGI, and the math behind your return is the same whether you use a $0 product or a $188 one.

Here's our honest breakdown:

When free is fine
You've filed self-employed taxes before. You know your deductions. You have simple 1099 income from one or two clients. You're comfortable navigating tax forms without someone holding your hand. Use FreeTaxUSA ($14.99 total) or Cash App Taxes ($0 total) and put the savings toward your retirement account.
When paid is worth it
It's your first year self-employed. You have multiple income streams (1099s + W-2). You're not sure which deductions apply to you. You want someone to review your return before you file. In these cases, TurboTax ($188) or H&R Block ($122) can pay for themselves by catching a single deduction you'd otherwise miss. A missed $2,000 home office deduction costs a 22% bracket freelancer about $700 in extra tax.

The middle ground: TaxSlayer ($93) gives you tax pro access at a reasonable price. It's a good option for year two or three of self-employment when you mostly know what you're doing but want a human safety net.

Whatever you choose, make sure you're claiming all your deductions. The software you use matters far less than the deductions you take. A freelancer using Cash App Taxes who claims every legitimate deduction will pay less tax than someone using TurboTax who misses three write-offs.

When to skip software and hire a CPA

Tax software is designed for common situations. If yours isn't common, software — even the good stuff — can leave money on the table or get things wrong. Hire a CPA or Enrolled Agent if:

A good self-employed-focused CPA costs $300–$800 for annual tax preparation. If you're earning six figures, the ROI on professional help is almost always positive. For more on business structure decisions, see our guides on LLC vs. sole proprietorship and S-corp vs. LLC.

Filing tips to maximize your refund (or minimize what you owe)

Regardless of which software you choose, these five strategies will save you more money than any product feature:

1. Claim every legitimate deduction

The average self-employed person misses $3,000–$5,000 in deductions, according to multiple tax prep industry surveys. Home office, mileage, health insurance premiums, phone and internet (business %), professional development, software subscriptions — these add up fast. Use our complete deduction list as a checklist before you file.

2. Make Q4 estimated payment on time

If you owe estimated taxes, the Q4 payment for 2025 was due January 15, 2026. If you missed it, you may face an underpayment penalty. For 2026, mark your calendar: Q1 (April 15), Q2 (June 16), Q3 (September 15), Q4 (January 15, 2027). Use our tax set-aside guide to calculate how much.

3. Contribute to retirement before the deadline

You can make SEP IRA contributions for 2025 until your tax filing deadline (April 15, 2026, or October 15 if you file an extension). Solo 401(k) employee contributions had to be made by December 31, 2025, but employer contributions can also go until the filing deadline. A $10,000 SEP contribution saves a 22% bracket filer $2,200 in income tax plus reduces their QBI deduction base slightly — but the net savings are substantial.

4. Track expenses year-round, not at tax time

Trying to reconstruct a year of business expenses in April is how deductions get missed. Use accounting software or even a simple spreadsheet to categorize expenses monthly. The 10 minutes per week this takes will save you hours at tax time and hundreds (or thousands) in missed deductions.

5. Separate business and personal finances

Open a dedicated business checking account and credit card. This makes expense tracking trivially easy, looks better if audited, and removes any ambiguity about what's a business expense. Many of the best freelancer bank accounts are free.

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Bottom line

If you want the best experience and don't mind paying for it, TurboTax Self-Employed ($188) is the best overall. If you want great value with human support, H&R Block Self-Employed ($122) is the move. If you know what you're doing, FreeTaxUSA ($14.99) or Cash App Taxes ($0) will file your return just as accurately for a fraction of the cost.

The software you use is less important than the deductions you claim. Pick one, run through our deduction checklist, and file before the deadline. That's what actually saves you money.