{"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": "2026-10-11T00:32:05Z", "permalink": "https://bikoosh.com/answers/s/tax-preparation-software-freelancers-2026-10-11", "question_page": "https://bikoosh.com/answers/q/tax-preparation-software/freelancers", "brands_named": [{"position": 1, "brand": "FreeTaxUSA", "label": "recommended"}, {"position": 2, "brand": "Cash App Taxes", "label": "recommended"}, {"position": 3, "brand": "TurboTax", "label": "recommended"}, {"position": 4, "brand": "TurboTax Premium", "label": "recommended"}, {"position": 5, "brand": "H&R Block", "label": "recommended"}, {"position": 6, "brand": "H&R Block Self-Employed", "label": "recommended"}, {"position": 7, "brand": "TaxSlayer Self-Employed", "label": "recommended"}, {"position": 8, "brand": "Keeper", "label": "recommended"}], "sources_cited": [{"url": "https://investormint.com/small-business/best-tax-software-self-employed-2026", "domain": "investormint.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"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://www.supermoney.com/turbotax-vs-freetaxusa", "domain": "supermoney.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://beancount.io/blog/2026/07/12/irs-direct-file-2026-free-tax-filing-alternatives-guide", "domain": "beancount.io", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://www.finder.com/best-tax-software/keeper-tax", "domain": "finder.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://www.techradar.com/reviews/keeper-tax", "domain": "techradar.com", "source_type": "review"}], "answer_text": "For a freelancer with a Schedule C, here's what I'd actually recommend, in order:\n\n**1. FreeTaxUSA** - my default pick for most freelancers. Federal filing is free at every complexity level including Schedule C, 1099-NEC, home office, and depreciation, with state around $15-16. It's a real IRS-authorized e-file provider, not a stripped-down \"simple returns only\" tier, so you're not paying $150+ for forms that cost the software nothing. Downside: you categorize your own expenses, and live help is a paid add-on.\n\n**2. Cash App Taxes** - if you want it completely free, federal *and* state, with no income cap. It covers Schedule C, 1099-NEC, crypto, and rentals at $0. The tradeoffs are real: no live support, no multi-state returns, and it's weak at walking you through depreciation or a first-year business. Best for a straightforward one-state freelance return.\n\n**3. TurboTax Premium (Self-Employed)** - the most expensive option (roughly $119-$159 federal plus ~$60/state, more for Live Assisted) and worth it mainly for two things: the best 1099/bank/Uber-Lyft-style data imports, and the strongest deduction interview if you genuinely don't know what's deductible. If you've filed with the", "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"}}