{"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": "2026-10-23T23:28:12Z", "permalink": "https://bikoosh.com/answers/s/tax-preparation-software-small-businesses-2026-10-23", "question_page": "https://bikoosh.com/answers/q/tax-preparation-software/small-businesses", "brands_named": [{"position": 1, "brand": "TaxAct Business", "label": "recommended"}, {"position": 2, "brand": "TurboTax", "label": "compared"}, {"position": 3, "brand": "TurboTax Business", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 4, "brand": "QuickBooks", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 5, "brand": "H&R Block", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 6, "brand": "H&R Block Premium & Business", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 7, "brand": "Block Advisors", "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": "H&R Block Self-Employed", "label": "mentioned"}], "sources_cited": [{"url": "https://www.business.org/finance/taxes/best-tax-filing-software-programs-small-businesses", "domain": "business.org", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://beancount.io/blog/2026/10/07/business-tax-software-compared-turbotax-hr-block-taxact-1065-1120-guide", "domain": "beancount.io", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://www.novo.co/software/tax-prep", "domain": "novo.co", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://www.supermoney.com/taxact-vs-turbotax", "domain": "supermoney.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://thecollegeinvestor.com/5389/online-tax-software-turbotax-online-hr-block-online/", "domain": "thecollegeinvestor.com", "source_type": "other"}], "answer_text": "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:\n\n**If you file a separate business return (S-corp, partnership, multi-member LLC, C-corp):**\n\n1. **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.\n2. **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.\n3. **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 ", "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"}}