{"question": "best tax preparation software for small businesses", "category": "tax-preparation-software", "category_name": "tax preparation software", "audience": "small-businesses", "audience_name": "small businesses", "engine": "Claude (Anthropic) with web search", "model": "claude-opus-5", "asked_at": "2026-09-27T21:34:02Z", "permalink": "https://bikoosh.com/answers/s/tax-preparation-software-small-businesses-2026-09-27", "question_page": "https://bikoosh.com/answers/q/tax-preparation-software/small-businesses", "brands_named": [{"position": 1, "brand": "S-corp", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 2, "brand": "TaxAct Business", "label": "recommended"}, {"position": 3, "brand": "TurboTax", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 4, "brand": "TurboTax Business", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 5, "brand": "H&R Block", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 6, "brand": "H&R Block Premium & Business", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 7, "brand": "DIY", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 8, "brand": "FreeTaxUSA", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 9, "brand": "TaxSlayer Self-Employed", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 10, "brand": "TurboTax Self-Employed", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 11, "brand": "QuickBooks", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 12, "brand": "Gusto", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 13, "brand": "Ramp", "label": "mentioned"}], "sources_cited": [{"url": "https://www.cnbc.com/select/best-tax-software-for-small-businesses/", "domain": "cnbc.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://fitsmallbusiness.com/best-business-tax-software/", "domain": "fitsmallbusiness.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://aspireapp.com/us/blog/best-tax-software-for-small-businesses-llcs", "domain": "aspireapp.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://ramp.com/blog/small-business-tax-software", "domain": "ramp.com", "source_type": "vendor"}, {"url": "https://venturesmarter.com/best-tax-software-for-llc/", "domain": "venturesmarter.com", "source_type": "other"}], "answer_text": "Here's how I'd actually rank them. The big fork is whether you file a Schedule C on your personal return (sole prop / single-member LLC) or a separate entity return (1120-S, 1065, 1120) - different products win in each case.\n\n**For a separate entity return (S-corp, partnership, multi-member LLC, C-corp):**\n\n1. **TaxAct Business** - my default recommendation. It's the only one of the mainstream consumer brands that does 1120, 1120-S, and 1065 fully online (no Windows-only desktop install), and it's meaningfully cheaper: roughly $160 for a partnership return and $170 for an S-corp. Less hand-holding than TurboTax, but if your books are clean that's fine.\n2. **TurboTax Business** - best interview flow and the most forgiving if you've never done a 1120-S before. Two caveats: it's Windows desktop only (no Mac, no browser), and it's a separate ~$190 purchase on top of whatever you pay for your personal 1040, since the K-1 flows to your individual return.\n3. **H&R Block Premium & Business** - around $115, and the reason to pick it is the escape hatch: if you get stuck you can hand the return to a human at Block Advisors (starts around $250 + $75/state). Best value if you want DIY with a s", "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"}}