{"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": "2026-10-21T22:45:17Z", "permalink": "https://bikoosh.com/answers/s/tax-preparation-software-freelancers-2026-10-21", "question_page": "https://bikoosh.com/answers/q/tax-preparation-software/freelancers", "brands_named": [{"position": 1, "brand": "FreeTaxUSA", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 2, "brand": "TurboTax", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 3, "brand": "TurboTax Premium", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 4, "brand": "Square", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 5, "brand": "QuickBooks", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 6, "brand": "H&R Block", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 7, "brand": "H&R Block Self-Employed", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 8, "brand": "Cash App Taxes", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 9, "brand": "TaxSlayer Self-Employed", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 10, "brand": "QuickBooks Solopreneur", "label": "mentioned"}], "sources_cited": [{"url": "https://www.business.org/finance/taxes/freetaxusa-review/", "domain": "business.org", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://www.nerdwallet.com/taxes/learn/hr-block-vs-turbotax", "domain": "nerdwallet.com", "source_type": "review"}, {"url": "https://www.tomsguide.com/face-off/turbotax-vs-hrblock", "domain": "tomsguide.com", "source_type": "review"}, {"url": "https://www.forbes.com/sites/kellyphillipserb/2026/01/06/direct-file-is-gone-heres-how-you-can-still-file-your-taxes-for-free/", "domain": "forbes.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://thecollegeinvestor.com/23970/hr-block-alternatives/", "domain": "thecollegeinvestor.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://www.keepertax.com/switch-from/turbotax", "domain": "keepertax.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://www.kiplinger.com/taxes/a-free-tax-filing-option-just-disappeared", "domain": "kiplinger.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://www.taxnotes.com/featured-news/irs-shutters-direct-file-citing-cost-and-low-uptake/2025/11/05/7t7q0", "domain": "taxnotes.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://www.finder.com/best-tax-software/keeper-tax", "domain": "finder.com", "source_type": "other"}], "answer_text": "## Short answer: FreeTaxUSA for most freelancers, TurboTax Premium if you want hand-holding\n\n**1. [FreeTaxUSA](https://www.business.org/finance/taxes/freetaxusa-review/) - what I'd use.** Federal is $0 *including* Schedule C, Schedule SE, home office, depreciation, and 1099-NEC/K income - the stuff every other company treats as premium. State is ~$15.99. The interface is plainer than TurboTax's, but the forms coverage is essentially complete. For a freelancer with a few 1099s and a pile of expenses, you're filing for under $20 instead of $200.\n\n**2. [TurboTax Premium](https://www.nerdwallet.com/taxes/learn/hr-block-vs-turbotax) (the old \"Self-Employed\" tier) - if you'd rather pay to be walked through it.** Best deduction interview in the business, imports from Uber/Lyft/Square/QuickBooks, and it calculates next year's quarterly estimates for you. Downside is price: roughly $129-$159 federal plus ~$59-$64 per state, and it climbs as April approaches. Worth it mainly for your first self-employed year or if your return is genuinely messy.\n\n**3. [H&R Block Self-Employed](https://www.tomsguide.com/face-off/turbotax-vs-hrblock) - the middle option, and the one with a storefront.** About ", "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"}}