The answer

The cheapest software that files a Schedule C is FreeTaxUSA ($0 federal, $15.99 per state) or Cash App Taxes ($0 federal and state). TurboTax, H&R Block, TaxAct and TaxSlayer put Schedule C behind a paid tier of $74.99 to $139 before state fees. Prices are for tax year 2025 returns filed in 2026, read on 26 October 2026. One caveat: TaxSlayer Classic ($44.99) says "all forms" but never names Schedule C, so we could not confirm whether it files one and do not count it.

The Schedule C linewhere each product first lets you file the form
Free tierPaid tier for Schedule CTurboTaxFree: simple 1040Premium $139 + stateH&R BlockFree: no schedulesSelf-Employed $130*TaxActFree: no schedulesSelf-Employed $109.99TaxSlayerSimply Free $0Self-Employed $74.99*FreeTaxUSAFree: Schedule C inDeluxe $7.99 optionalCash App TaxesFree: self-employedNo paid tierGreen box: where the Schedule C is first available. Federal prices, tax year 2025.State returns are extra everywhere but Cash App Taxes.* Read in a browser on 26 October 2026; the site blocks automated reads.TaxSlayer Classic $44.99 says "all forms" but never names Schedule C: unconfirmed.
Every product files the same IRS form; the line moves. At TurboTax, H&R Block, TaxAct and TaxSlayer it sits above the free tier. TaxSlayer's free tier is shown as listed; its Classic tier ($44.99) says "all forms" but never names Schedule C, so we could not confirm it and the line is drawn at Self-Employed, the one tier that names it. TurboTax's Deluxe tier covers the income portion of Schedule C only, per its comparison table; the whole schedule is "Included in Premium."

Which tier do you need for a Schedule C?

You need the tier the vendor itself says carries business income. The IRS Schedule C page (read 26 October 2026) says to "use Schedule C (Form 1040) to report income or loss from a business you operated or a profession you practiced as a sole proprietor." Our Schedule C guide walks the lines, and our freelancer filing walkthrough lists what to gather first.

Freelancer, 1099 income, ordinary expensesFreeTaxUSA, $0 federal + $15.99 per state

Its pricing page lists self-employed features (freelancers, small businesses, contractors) at "$0 + $15.99 per state." Optional extras: Deluxe $7.99, Audit Defense $19.99.

Wants the lowest total, accepts less hand-holdingCash App Taxes, $0 federal and state

The page says self-employed filers can still file for free. It does not name Schedule C, so confirm your forms inside the product before you enter data.

First-year filer who wants guided promptsTurboTax Premium, $139 + state

Schedule C is "Included in Premium" on its comparison table. It is the dearest tier we priced; the cost buys the interview, not a different form.

Wants a paid tier at the lowest priceTaxSlayer Self-Employed, $74.99 + state

Read 26 October 2026; state is additional, and Self-Employed lists "Extra 1099 and Schedule C guidance." Its Classic tier at $44.99 says "all forms" but never names Schedule C, so we could not confirm it files one.

Wants a mid-priced paid tier or an office nearbyTaxAct Self-Employed $109.99, or H&R Block $130 + $49 per state

TaxAct lists "owner / sole proprietor" and "contract, freelance, rideshare." H&R Block figures were read 26 October 2026.

Would rather a pro file itSee the services comparison

Our tax prep services comparison prices pro-reviewed and pro-filed returns; Keeper offers a 14-day free trial.

CeoCult earns a commission if you start a Keeper trial through the Keeper link on this page. It does not change any pick above; every other vendor link is a plain editorial link.

What does each product cost, federal plus state?

Federal price decides the ranking, but state fees move it. FreeTaxUSA is $15.99 with one state and H&R Block is $179 with one state ($130 plus $49); the other paid tiers list state as additional without a figure on the page we read.

One Schedule C, six price tagsfederal plus one state where the vendor publishes the state fee
Cash App Taxes$0 fed + $0 stateFreeTaxUSA$15.99 with 1 stateTaxSlayer Self-Employed*$74.99 + stateTaxAct Self-Employed$109.99 + stateTurboTax Premium$139 + stateH&R Block Self-Employed*$179 with 1 stateTax year 2025 prices. *Read in a browser on 26 October 2026. TaxSlayer Classic ($44.99) isnot shown: its page never names Schedule C. Bars marked "+ state" omit a state fee thevendor page does not show.
Tax year 2025 prices for returns filed in 2026. Cash App Taxes is $0 for state and federal; FreeTaxUSA state is $15.99. TaxSlayer and H&R Block were read in a browser on 26 October 2026.
What the free tier and the extras look likeas each vendor page states it
Sched C free?State returnExpert helpAudit helpTurboTaxnoadditionalExpert Assistnot readH&R Block*no$49 per stateDeluxe and upnot readTaxActnoadditionalXpert $45-60not readTaxSlayer*unconfirmedadditionalTax prosnot readFreeTaxUSAyes$15.99Pro $64.99$19.99Cash App Taxesyes$0not listednot listed
"Not read" means we could not read that page section, not that the product lacks it. *H&R Block and TaxSlayer: read in a browser on 26 October 2026. TaxSlayer Classic ($44.99) says "all forms" but never names Schedule C, so its first cell reads unconfirmed.

Is the IRS Free File enough for a Schedule C?

It can be, for some filers. The IRS Free File page, last updated 21 October 2026, lists guided tax software for adjusted gross income of $95,000 or less and Free File Fillable Forms for any income level, and says "IRS Free File has closed" until January 2027. Fillable Forms are the blank IRS forms with no interview, so you do the arithmetic on Schedule C and Schedule SE yourself. The partner products set their own rules on which forms they accept, which this page did not test.

Do not forget Schedule SE

Schedule C produces the profit; Schedule SE turns it into tax. The IRS self-employment tax page (updated 27 June 2026) says to file it when net earnings from self-employment were "$400 or more" and puts the rate at "15.3%." Every product above prepares it with the Schedule C. If you pay estimates during the year, our January 15, 2027 guide covers the next payment.

Which product should file your Schedule C?

Is your return simple: 1099 income, ordinary expenses, no employees?
  1. YesDo you want a guided interview?
    1. No, the lowest priceFreeTaxUSA ($0 federal + $15.99 state) or Cash App Taxes ($0 and $0).
    2. YesTurboTax Premium ($139 + state) or TaxAct Self-Employed ($109.99 + state).
  2. No (S corporation question, several states, prior-year problem)Price a professional: tax prep services compared, or Form 1065 options if the LLC has more than one member.

Before you pay for any tier, check the same five things. Copy them into your notes.

5 checks before you buy a Schedule C tier
1. Does this tier list Schedule C (not just "self-employed") on its own page?
2. What is the state fee, and is it per state?
3. Is the price for the tax year I am filing, and when does it change?
4. What do expert help and audit defense cost on top?
5. Can I import last year's return and my 1099 forms?
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When do these prices change?

Per-return prices are reset when the filing season opens. TurboTax's page was still labelled tax year 2025 on 26 October 2026, and this page is scheduled for a full price re-read in the second week of January 2027, when tax-year-2026 prices are normally posted. Until then treat each figure as a 2025-season price.

For a routine Schedule C, the form is free at two products and $74.99 to $139 at four others; pay for the guidance only if you will use it.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the cheapest tax software that files a Schedule C?

On vendor pages read 26 October 2026, FreeTaxUSA charges $0 for the federal return, including self-employment forms, and $15.99 per state, and Cash App Taxes says it is "100% free for state and federal returns" including for the self-employed. Among paid tiers that name Schedule C or self-employment, TaxSlayer Self-Employed was $74.99 and TaxAct Self-Employed $109.99 before state fees. TaxSlayer Classic, at $44.99 with state additional, says it covers "all tax situations" and "all forms" but its pages never name Schedule C for that tier, so we could not confirm whether it files one. These are tax year 2025 prices for returns filed in 2026, read 26 October 2026.

Why does the free tier at TurboTax, H&R Block and TaxAct not cover Schedule C?

Each lists the free edition as a simple return. TurboTax describes its Free Edition as "available for those filing simple Form 1040 returns only," and TaxAct says its Free edition excludes self-employed income and expenses. Business income reported on Schedule C is moved to the paid self-employed tier.

Does the IRS offer free filing for self-employed people?

The IRS Free File page, read 26 October 2026, lists guided tax software for adjusted gross income of $95,000 or less and Free File Fillable Forms for any income level, and says Free File has closed until January 2027. Which Schedule C situations each partner product accepts is set by that product, so check its terms before you start.

Do these prices change in January?

Yes. Every per-return price on this page is for tax year 2025, filed in 2026. TurboTax still showed tax year 2025 offers on 26 October 2026, and tax-year-2026 prices are normally posted when the filing season opens in January. This page is scheduled for a price re-read in the second week of January 2027.

Do I owe self-employment tax if I use Schedule C?

The IRS says you file Schedule SE when your net earnings from self-employment were $400 or more, and puts the self-employment tax rate at 15.3%. Tax software that handles Schedule C also prepares Schedule SE; it is the form that carries that 15.3%.

Should a freelancer pay for expert help or audit defense?

Only if your return has moving parts. A single Schedule C with 1099 income and ordinary expenses is routine for all six products. Expert help earns its fee for a first-year business, an S corporation question or a prior-year problem; see our comparison of tax prep services for what a professional costs.

How we built this page

How we built this page: we read the pricing pages of TurboTax, TaxAct, FreeTaxUSA and Cash App Taxes on 26 October 2026, and the IRS pages linked above on the same day. H&R Block and TaxSlayer block automated reads, so their figures are from a browser read on 26 October 2026 and carry an asterisk. We did not file a return with these products for this comparison. Every price is for tax year 2025, filed in 2026, and is normally reset in January.

This is general information, not tax advice for your situation. CeoCult is an affiliate of Keeper; see our disclosure.