What Claude (Anthropic) with web search answered for tax preparation software (small businesses) on 2026-10-23

Claude (Anthropic) with web search claude-opus-5 asked 2026-10-23

Coverage: Claude (Anthropic) with web search. Other engines not included.

The question asked, verbatim: best tax preparation software for small businesses

Brands named, in the order the engine gave

1. TaxAct Business recommended
   TaxAct Business - my default recommendation.
2. TurboTax compared
   It's one of only two real DIY online options for 1120-S/1065 filers, and it's meaningfully cheaper than TurboTax (roughly $140 federal for the business return vs.
3. TurboTax Business mentioned
   TurboTax Business - worth the premium if you want the interview-style handholding and you're already on QuickBooks;
4. QuickBooks mentioned
   TurboTax Business - worth the premium if you want the interview-style handholding and you're already on QuickBooks;
5. H&R Block mentioned
   H&R Block Premium & Business - the one to pick if you want the ability to hand it off to a human, including in person at a retail office.
6. H&R Block Premium & Business mentioned
   H&R Block Premium & Business - the one to pick if you want the ability to hand it off to a human, including in person at a retail office.
7. Block Advisors mentioned
   Block Advisors is their dedicated small-business arm if you'd rather have a pro do it outright.
8. FreeTaxUSA mentioned
   FreeTaxUSA - free federal including Schedule C, around $15 per state.
9. TaxSlayer Self-Employed mentioned
   TaxSlayer Self-Employed - cheap (~$70 federal) with self-employment-specific guidance and a tax-pro question line, a step up in support from FreeTaxUSA.
10. TurboTax Self-Employed mentioned
    TurboTax Self-Employed / H&R Block Self-Employed - ~$85-130 federal plus state.
11. H&R Block Self-Employed mentioned
    TurboTax Self-Employed / H&R Block Self-Employed - ~$85-130 federal plus state.

Sources the engine cited

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The answer, as recorded

The right pick splits on your entity type - a sole proprietor/single-member LLC files Schedule C on a personal return, while an S-corp, partnership, or C-corp needs a separate business return (1120-S, 1065, 1120). Here's who I'd actually name, in order: **If you file a separate business return (S-corp, partnership, multi-member LLC, C-corp):** 1. **TaxAct Business** - my default recommendation. It's one of only two real DIY online options for 1120-S/1065 filers, and it's meaningfully cheaper than TurboTax (roughly $140 federal for the business return vs. TurboTax's ~$139+ with pricier state add-ons). Best if you're reasonably comfortable with tax forms, since it leans more on direct entry. 2. **TurboTax Business** - worth the premium if you want the interview-style handholding and you're already on QuickBooks; the data import is the real reason to pay up. It's Windows desktop/download for the entity returns, not the same web product as personal TurboTax. 3. **H&R Block Premium & Business** - the one to pick if you want the ability to hand it off to a human, including in person at a retail office. **Block Advisors** is their dedicated small-business arm if you'd rather have a pro do it outright. **If you're a sole proprietor / single-member LLC / freelancer (Schedule C):** 4. **FreeTaxUSA** - free federal including Schedule C, around $15 per state. Genuinely the best value in the category and no gimmicks; I'd start here unless you need something it doesn't do. 5. **TaxSlayer Self-Employed** - cheap (~$70 federal) with self-employment-specific guidance and a tax-pro question line, a step up in support from FreeTaxUSA. 6. **TurboTax Self-Employed / H&R Block Self-Employed** - ~$85-130 federal plus state. You're paying for polish, import, and audit support. Fine, but overkill for a simple Schedule C. Two practical notes: these prices climb as filing season progresses, so filing early saves real money; and if your books are messy, no software fixes that - a $500 CPA is cheaper than an amended return. Once you're an S-corp with payroll and multiple states, I'd stop shopping for software and hire a preparer. Sources: - [Business.org - Best Tax Software for Small Businesses in 2026](https://www.business.org/finance/taxes/best-tax-filing-software-programs-small-businesses) - [Beancount - Business tax software compared: TurboTax, H&R Block, TaxAct (1065/1120)](https://beancount.io/blog/2026/10/07/business-tax-software-compared-turbotax-hr-block-taxact-1065-1120-guide) - [Novo - Best Tax Preparation Software for Small Business](https://www.novo.co/software/tax-prep) - [SuperMoney - TaxAct vs. TurboTax: 2026 Comparison](https://www.supermoney.com/taxact-vs-turbotax) - [The College Investor - Online tax software comparison](https://thecollegeinvestor.com/5389/online-tax-software-turbotax-online-hr-block-online/)

Near this answer

The same question, recorded on other dates: 2026-10-21, 2026-10-19, 2026-10-18, 2026-10-16, 2026-10-14, 2026-10-11, 2026-10-08, 2026-10-06, 2026-10-03, 2026-10-01, 2026-09-29.

tax preparation software, asked for other audiences: freelancers (asked 2026-10-23), nonprofits (asked 2026-10-23).

Other categories with a recorded answer: accounting software, accounts payable automation, audit management software, bookkeeping services.

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