{"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": "2026-10-06T22:24:31Z", "permalink": "https://bikoosh.com/answers/s/tax-preparation-software-small-businesses-2026-10-06", "question_page": "https://bikoosh.com/answers/q/tax-preparation-software/small-businesses", "brands_named": [{"position": 1, "brand": "FreeTaxUSA", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 2, "brand": "TurboTax", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 3, "brand": "TurboTax Business", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 4, "brand": "QuickBooks", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 5, "brand": "TaxAct", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 6, "brand": "TaxAct Business", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 7, "brand": "H&R Block", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 8, "brand": "TaxSlayer Self-Employed", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 9, "brand": "Xero", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 10, "brand": "Wave", "label": "mentioned"}], "sources_cited": [{"url": "https://aspireapp.com/en-us/blog/best-tax-software-for-small-businesses-llcs", "domain": "aspireapp.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://www.g2.com/compare/taxact-business-vs-turbotax-business", "domain": "g2.com", "source_type": "review"}, {"url": "https://grasshopper.com/blog/online-tax-software-turbotax-hrblock-taxact", "domain": "grasshopper.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://taxsharkinc.com/should-i-use-taxslayer-or-freetaxusa/", "domain": "taxsharkinc.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://quicken.com/blog/best-tax-preparation-and-compliance-tools-for-small-businesses-in-2026", "domain": "quicken.com", "source_type": "vendor"}], "answer_text": "The honest answer depends on your entity type, because that's what splits the market more than anything. Sole prop / single-member LLC files a Schedule C on a personal return; an S-corp, C-corp, or partnership needs a separate business return (1120-S, 1120, 1065). Here's what I'd actually name:\n\n**1. FreeTaxUSA - best value for Schedule C filers.** $0 federal even with self-employment income, $15.99 per state. If you're a freelancer, consultant, or single-member LLC with decent books, there's little reason to pay $100+ for the same forms. The interface is plain but complete. Does *not* do 1120/1120-S/1065.\n\n**2. TurboTax - best hand-holding, highest price.** Two separate products: Premium for Schedule C, and TurboTax Business (Windows desktop) for S-corps, C-corps, and partnerships. The interview-style walkthrough genuinely helps if you're unsure what's deductible, and it imports from QuickBooks cleanly. You're paying a premium for polish.\n\n**3. TaxAct Business - best price on entity returns.** Covers 1120, 1120-S, and 1065 for meaningfully less than TurboTax Business, often with the state return bundled. The catch: thinner guidance and more manual form entry, so it suits someone w", "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"}}