{"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": "2026-10-26T01:23:15Z", "permalink": "https://bikoosh.com/answers/s/tax-preparation-software-freelancers-2026-10-26", "question_page": "https://bikoosh.com/answers/q/tax-preparation-software/freelancers", "brands_named": [{"position": 1, "brand": "FreeTaxUSA", "label": "recommended"}, {"position": 2, "brand": "TurboTax", "label": "compared"}, {"position": 3, "brand": "H&R Block", "label": "recommended"}, {"position": 4, "brand": "H&R Block Self-Employed", "label": "recommended"}, {"position": 5, "brand": "TurboTax Premium", "label": "recommended"}, {"position": 6, "brand": "DoorDash", "label": "recommended"}, {"position": 7, "brand": "Square", "label": "recommended"}, {"position": 8, "brand": "TaxSlayer Self-Employed", "label": "recommended"}, {"position": 9, "brand": "TaxAct Self-Employed", "label": "recommended"}, {"position": 10, "brand": "QuickBooks", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 11, "brand": "QuickBooks Self-Employed", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 12, "brand": "Wave", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 13, "brand": "Cash App Taxes", "label": "compared"}], "sources_cited": [{"url": "https://www.supermoney.com/turbotax-vs-freetaxusa", "domain": "supermoney.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.techrepublic.com/article/turbotax-vs-hr-block/", "domain": "techrepublic.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://www.techradar.com/best/best-tax-software", "domain": "techradar.com", "source_type": "review"}], "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 *including* Schedule C, 1099-NEC income, home office, and depreciation - the stuff other vendors paywall. State is ~$16. The interface is plain and dated, but it handles self-employment correctly and you'll save $100+ versus TurboTax for the same return. If your freelance taxes are \"a few 1099s and some deductions,\" start here.\n\n**2. H&R Block Self-Employed** - The one I'd name if you want hand-holding without TurboTax prices. Roughly $85-125 federal plus ~$37/state, comparable Schedule C coverage and deduction guidance, better import support than the budget tools. The real differentiator: ~9,000 physical offices, so you can hand off or get a human review mid-return. Good if this is your first year self-employed and you're nervous.\n\n**3. TurboTax Premium** - Expensive (~$119-159 federal + state) and aggressive about upsells, but genuinely the best at two things: finding deductions you didn't know to claim, and importing data directly from Uber/Lyft/DoorDash/Square/brokerages. Worth it if you have multiple income streams, vehicle *and* home office deductions,", "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"}}