{"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": "2026-10-18T22:14:04Z", "permalink": "https://bikoosh.com/answers/s/tax-preparation-software-freelancers-2026-10-18", "question_page": "https://bikoosh.com/answers/q/tax-preparation-software/freelancers", "brands_named": [{"position": 1, "brand": "FreeTaxUSA", "label": "recommended"}, {"position": 2, "brand": "TurboTax", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 3, "brand": "Cash App Taxes", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 4, "brand": "TurboTax Premium", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 5, "brand": "H&R Block", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 6, "brand": "H&R Block Self-Employed", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 7, "brand": "TaxSlayer Self-Employed", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 8, "brand": "TaxAct", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 9, "brand": "Wave", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 10, "brand": "QuickBooks", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 11, "brand": "QuickBooks Solopreneur", "label": "mentioned"}], "sources_cited": [{"url": "https://fitsmallbusiness.com/freetaxusa-review", "domain": "fitsmallbusiness.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://investormint.com/small-business/best-tax-software-self-employed-2026", "domain": "investormint.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://www.supermoney.com/turbotax-vs-freetaxusa", "domain": "supermoney.com", "source_type": "other"}], "answer_text": "**FreeTaxUSA** - my default recommendation for most freelancers. Schedule C, 1099-NEC income, home office, and SE tax are all included in the $0 federal tier; you only pay ~$16 per state return. The interview is less hand-holdy than TurboTax, but it does everything a single-person freelance business needs, and it won't try to upsell you mid-return. ([FreeTaxUSA review](https://fitsmallbusiness.com/freetaxusa-review), [pricing comparison](https://www.primewayfcu.com/blog/turbotax-vs-hr-block-vs-taxact-vs-taxslayer-vs-freetaxusa-vs-cash-app-taxes))\n\n**Cash App Taxes** - the other genuinely free option, including Schedule C, with free state filing too. Worth trying first if your return is simple. Caveats: no multi-state filing, no part-year/nonresident state returns, and you must file on their app/web flow with no expert help available. If you hit one of those limits, fall back to FreeTaxUSA.\n\n**TurboTax Premium** - worth the money only in specific cases: your first year self-employed and you want the deduction-by-deduction interview, you have messy multiple income streams plus investments or rentals, or you want Live Assisted/Full Service to have a CPA review or file it. Expect rough", "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"}}