{"question": "best tax preparation software for freelancers", "category": "tax-preparation-software", "category_name": "tax preparation software", "audience": "freelancers", "audience_name": "freelancers", "engine": "Claude (Anthropic) with web search", "model": "claude-opus-5", "asked_at": "2026-10-06T22:25:39Z", "permalink": "https://bikoosh.com/answers/s/tax-preparation-software-freelancers-2026-10-06", "question_page": "https://bikoosh.com/answers/q/tax-preparation-software/freelancers", "brands_named": [{"position": 1, "brand": "FreeTaxUSA", "label": "recommended"}, {"position": 2, "brand": "TaxSlayer", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 3, "brand": "TaxSlayer Self-Employed", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 4, "brand": "TurboTax", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 5, "brand": "H&R Block", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 6, "brand": "H&R Block Self-Employed", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 7, "brand": "TurboTax Premium", "label": "recommended"}, {"position": 8, "brand": "TaxAct Self-Employed", "label": "compared"}, {"position": 9, "brand": "Cash App Taxes", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 10, "brand": "QuickBooks", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 11, "brand": "QuickBooks Solopreneur", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 12, "brand": "Keeper", "label": "mentioned"}], "sources_cited": [{"url": "https://www.primewayfcu.com/blog/turbotax-vs-hr-block-vs-taxact-vs-taxslayer-vs-freetaxusa-vs-cash-app-taxes", "domain": "primewayfcu.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://fitsmallbusiness.com/best-turbotax-alternative", "domain": "fitsmallbusiness.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://investormint.com/small-business/best-tax-software-self-employed-2026", "domain": "investormint.com", "source_type": "other"}], "answer_text": "Here's how I'd rank them for a freelancer filing a Schedule C:\n\n**1. FreeTaxUSA** - My default recommendation. Federal filing is $0 even with Schedule C, self-employment tax, home office, depreciation, and 1099-NEC/K income; state is about $16. It's the only mainstream option that doesn't paywall self-employment. The interface is plain and it won't hold your hand much, but the math and forms are the same. If your situation is \"one or two 1099s plus some business expenses,\" this is the obvious pick. ([pricing comparison](https://www.primewayfcu.com/blog/turbotax-vs-hr-block-vs-taxact-vs-taxslayer-vs-freetaxusa-vs-cash-app-taxes))\n\n**2. TaxSlayer Self-Employed** - The best middle ground, roughly $55-75 federal. You get a guided Schedule C walkthrough, quarterly estimated-tax tools, and unlimited phone/email support plus tax-pro Q&A included rather than as an upsell. Worth it if FreeTaxUSA feels too bare but TurboTax feels like a ripoff.\n\n**3. H&R Block Self-Employed** - Around $85 federal plus state. The reason to pick it over TaxSlayer is the escape hatch: if you get stuck, you can hand the return to a human, either virtually or at a physical office. Good import support and a genuin", "answer_truncated": true, "measurement": "One answer from one engine on one date. Not a ranking and not a claim about the world; brands the engine did not name are not recorded.", "limitation": "Coverage: Claude (Anthropic) with web search. Other engines not included.", "alerts": {"name": "Answer Watch Pro", "price_usd": 79, "period": "month", "gets": "daily change alerts for up to 5 brands in what one AI answer engine says, history, CSV export. Coverage: Claude (Anthropic) with web search. Other engines not included", "url": "https://bikoosh.com/answers"}}