{"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": "2026-10-26T01:22:10Z", "permalink": "https://bikoosh.com/answers/s/tax-preparation-software-small-businesses-2026-10-26", "question_page": "https://bikoosh.com/answers/q/tax-preparation-software/small-businesses", "brands_named": [{"position": 1, "brand": "FreeTaxUSA", "label": "recommended"}, {"position": 2, "brand": "TaxSlayer Self-Employed", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 3, "brand": "TurboTax", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 4, "brand": "TurboTax Premium", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 5, "brand": "QuickBooks", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 6, "brand": "H&R Block", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 7, "brand": "H&R Block Self-Employed", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 8, "brand": "TaxAct", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 9, "brand": "TaxAct Business", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 10, "brand": "TurboTax Business", "label": "compared"}], "sources_cited": [{"url": "https://www.business.org/finance/taxes/best-tax-filing-software-programs-small-businesses", "domain": "business.org", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://aspireapp.com/en-us/blog/best-tax-software-for-small-businesses-llcs", "domain": "aspireapp.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://www.techrepublic.com/article/taxact-vs-turbotax/", "domain": "techrepublic.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://us.fitgap.com/products/taxact-business", "domain": "us.fitgap.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://thecollegeinvestor.com/15201/comparing-prices-turbotax-hr-block-tax-act/", "domain": "thecollegeinvestor.com", "source_type": "other"}], "answer_text": "The right answer forks on one thing: whether your business income flows onto your personal return (sole prop or single-member LLC → Schedule C) or needs its own entity return (partnership → 1065, S-corp → 1120-S). Here's what I'd actually name, in order.\n\n**If you file Schedule C (sole prop, single-member LLC, freelancer)**\n\n1. **FreeTaxUSA** - my default recommendation. Schedule C, home office, depreciation, and self-employment tax are all supported on the free federal tier; state is ~$15. There's no upsell wall, and the interview is perfectly competent. For a straightforward one-person business this is the best value by a wide margin.\n2. **TaxSlayer Self-Employed** - the step up if you want somewhat more hand-holding and included tax-pro Q&A, still well under the big brands' pricing.\n3. **TurboTax Premium** (~$139 federal + state) - worth the premium in exactly two cases: you're on QuickBooks and want the books to import, or you have a messy year (multiple 1099 sources, crypto, rentals, asset sales) and want the most polished guidance available. Otherwise you're paying mostly for the interface.\n4. **H&R Block Self-Employed** - comparable to TurboTax, usually a bit cheaper, and th", "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"}}