{"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": "2026-10-28T22:49:21Z", "permalink": "https://bikoosh.com/answers/s/tax-preparation-software-small-businesses-2026-10-28", "question_page": "https://bikoosh.com/answers/q/tax-preparation-software/small-businesses", "brands_named": [{"position": 1, "brand": "FreeTaxUSA", "label": "recommended"}, {"position": 2, "brand": "TurboTax", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 3, "brand": "TaxSlayer Self-Employed", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 4, "brand": "TurboTax Premium", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 5, "brand": "QuickBooks", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 6, "brand": "TurboTax Business", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 7, "brand": "TaxAct Business", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 8, "brand": "H&R Block", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 9, "brand": "H&R Block Premium & Business", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 10, "brand": "Avalara", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 11, "brand": "TaxJar", "label": "mentioned"}, {"position": 12, "brand": "Xero", "label": "mentioned"}], "sources_cited": [{"url": "https://www.business.org/finance/taxes/freetaxusa-review/", "domain": "business.org", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://aspireapp.com/us/blog/best-tax-software-for-small-businesses-llcs", "domain": "aspireapp.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://turbotax.intuit.com/small-business-taxes/cd-download", "domain": "turbotax.intuit.com", "source_type": "vendor"}, {"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.techrepublic.com/article/turbotax-vs-hr-block/", "domain": "techrepublic.com", "source_type": "other"}, {"url": "https://www.business.org/finance/taxes/best-tax-filing-software-programs-small-businesses", "domain": "business.org", "source_type": "other"}], "answer_text": "The right answer depends mostly on your entity type, since that determines which forms you need. Here's who I'd actually point you to:\n\n**If you're a sole proprietor / single-member LLC (Schedule C on your 1040):**\n\n1. **FreeTaxUSA** - my default recommendation. Schedule C is included in the **free federal tier**, with state around $15-16. Schedules D and E are also free, no tier upgrade. For the same return TurboTax wants ~$159 for Premium. The interface is plainer and there's no hand-holding, but the math and forms coverage are the same. Pro Support is a $64.99 add-on if you want someone to talk to. ([business.org](https://www.business.org/finance/taxes/freetaxusa-review/))\n2. **TaxSlayer Self-Employed** - the other budget pick. A bit more guidance than FreeTaxUSA for a modest price; good if you want quarterly-estimate help and deduction prompts without TurboTax pricing.\n3. **TurboTax Premium** - worth the premium *only* if you're already on QuickBooks (the import genuinely saves hours) or you want Live CPA review attached to the return. Otherwise you're paying for polish. ([aspireapp.com](https://aspireapp.com/us/blog/best-tax-software-for-small-businesses-llcs))\n\n**If you're an", "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"}}