{"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": "2026-10-19T22:15:42Z", "permalink": "https://bikoosh.com/answers/s/tax-preparation-software-freelancers-2026-10-19", "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": "TaxSlayer Self-Employed", "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": "mentioned"}, {"position": 8, "brand": "Keeper", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 9, "brand": "QuickBooks", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 10, "brand": "QuickBooks Solopreneur", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 11, "brand": "Skip TaxAct", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 12, "brand": "TaxAct", "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://financer.com/personal-finance/best-tax-software/", "domain": "financer.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://investormint.com/small-business/best-tax-software-self-employed-2026", "domain": "investormint.com", "source_type": "other"}], "answer_text": "## My picks, in the order I'd actually give them\n\n**1. FreeTaxUSA** - This is what I'd recommend to most freelancers. Schedule C, 1099-NEC/K, home office, mileage, depreciation, and quarterly estimates are all included in the **$0 federal** tier; state is ~$16. The interview is plainer than TurboTax's, but it asks the same questions and files the same forms. For a one-state Schedule C return you're paying ~$25 instead of ~$190. ([FreeTaxUSA comparison](https://www.primewayfcu.com/blog/turbotax-vs-hr-block-vs-taxact-vs-taxslayer-vs-freetaxusa-vs-cash-app-taxes))\n\n**2. Cash App Taxes** - Genuinely free, federal *and* state, and it does handle Schedule C. Worth trying first if your situation is simple. The catches: one state only, no multi-state or part-year returns, no foreign income, and no ability to file as a nonresident - so a lot of freelancers hit a wall and have to start over elsewhere. That's why it's #2 and not #1.\n\n**3. TaxSlayer Self-Employed (~$67 federal)** - The sweet spot if FreeTaxUSA's bare-bones UX bothers you. You get a more guided walkthrough plus access to a tax pro, at roughly a third of TurboTax's price. ([financer.com](https://financer.com/personal-finance/bes", "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"}}