{"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": "2026-10-16T21:44:51Z", "permalink": "https://bikoosh.com/answers/s/tax-preparation-software-freelancers-2026-10-16", "question_page": "https://bikoosh.com/answers/q/tax-preparation-software/freelancers", "brands_named": [{"position": 1, "brand": "FreeTaxUSA", "label": "recommended"}, {"position": 2, "brand": "TurboTax", "label": "recommended"}, {"position": 3, "brand": "TaxSlayer Self-Employed", "label": "recommended"}, {"position": 4, "brand": "H&R Block", "label": "compared"}, {"position": 5, "brand": "H&R Block Self-Employed", "label": "recommended"}, {"position": 6, "brand": "TurboTax Premium", "label": "recommended"}, {"position": 7, "brand": "DoorDash", "label": "recommended"}, {"position": 8, "brand": "TaxAct Self-Employed", "label": "recommended"}, {"position": 9, "brand": "TaxAct Self-Employed/Entrepreneur", "label": "recommended"}, {"position": 10, "brand": "Cash App Taxes", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 11, "brand": "QuickBooks", "label": "recommended"}, {"position": 12, "brand": "QuickBooks Solopreneur", "label": "recommended"}, {"position": 13, "brand": "Wave", "label": "recommended"}], "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://investormint.com/small-business/best-tax-software-self-employed-2026", "domain": "investormint.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://financer.com/personal-finance/best-tax-software/", "domain": "financer.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://www.supermoney.com/turbotax-vs-freetaxusa", "domain": "supermoney.com", "source_type": "other"}], "answer_text": "Here's what I'd actually recommend, in order:\n\n**1. FreeTaxUSA** - My default pick for most freelancers. Federal filing is $0 even for Schedule C, self-employment tax, home office, and depreciation; state is ~$16. There's no upsell trap where a single 1099-NEC bumps you into a $150 tier. The interface is plainer than TurboTax's and it won't hold your hand as much, but the forms coverage is genuinely complete. If your freelance taxes are \"some 1099s and a pile of expenses,\" this is the one.\n\n**2. TaxSlayer Self-Employed** - The best middle ground. Cheaper than TurboTax/H&R Block (usually well under $100 federal), includes Schedule C, quarterly estimated payment help, and access to a tax pro on the self-employed tier. Good if you want some support but refuse to pay TurboTax prices.\n\n**3. H&R Block Self-Employed** - Worth it if you want a human escape hatch. Comparable Schedule C handling to TurboTax at a lower price (~$100 federal), and you can hand the return off to an in-office preparer mid-stream if it gets hairy. Good for a first year of self-employment.\n\n**4. TurboTax Premium** - The most polished experience and the best at importing 1099s, Uber/Lyft/DoorDash data, and bank/brok", "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"}}