The best tax software for freelancers is the one that handles Schedule C and self-employment tax without charging you for features you don’t need. Prices for self-employed filing range from $0 to more than $200 once you add a state return, so the right choice can save you real money.
Quick picks for 2026:
- Best overall value: FreeTaxUSA. Free federal return including self-employment, $15.99 per state.
- Best completely free: Cash App Taxes. $0 federal and state, if your situation is simple enough.
- Best for beginners: TurboTax Premium. The clearest step-by-step guidance, but the most expensive.
- Best for in-person backup: H&R Block Self-Employed. Online filing, with thousands of offices if you need help.
- Best cheap paid option: TaxSlayer Self-Employed. Low price with tax pro access included.
In this guide, we compare six programs on price, self-employment features and support. Then we show you which one fits your situation, whether you run a side hustle or freelance full-time. Note that the IRS’s free Direct File program isn’t available for the 2026 filing season, so paid and free commercial software are the main options.
Best tax software for freelancers compared
Prices below are for the version that supports self-employment income Schedule C, for tax year 2025 returns filed in 2026. They’re list prices; discounts are common early in the season.
| Software | Version you need | Federal | Per state | Expert help | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FreeTaxUSA | Free (self-employed included) | $0 | $15.99 | Pro Support add-on, $64.99 | Best overall value |
| Cash App Taxes | Free | $0 | $0 | No | Simple returns, one state |
| TaxSlayer | Self-Employed | $74.99 | $47.99 | Tax pro access included | Cheapest paid option with help |
| TaxAct | Self-Employed | From $109.99 | $39.99 | Paid add-on | Detailed business questions |
| H&R Block | Self-Employed | $130 | $49 | Paid add-on, plus offices | Backup from in-person help |
| TurboTax | Premium (formerly Self-Employed) | $139 | Extra, varies | Paid Expert Assist | First-timers who want guidance |
The gap is big. For one federal and one state return, a freelancer pays $15.99 with FreeTaxUSA and around $180 or more with H&R Block or TurboTax. What you get for the extra money is mostly guidance and polish, not a lower tax bill: every program on this list completes the same Schedule C and Schedule SE.
Best tax software for freelancers: reviews
1. FreeTaxUSA: best overall value
FreeTaxUSA files your federal return for free, including Schedule C, self-employment tax and home office forms. You only pay $15.99 per state. For a freelancer, that’s the lowest price for a full-featured program.
- Pros: complete self-employment support at no federal cost; cheap add-ons, such as Deluxe Support ($7.99) for priority live chat or Pro Support ($64.99) for a tax pro and a final review.
- Cons: plainer interface and less hand-holding than TurboTax; no automatic expense import from bookkeeping apps.
- Choose it if: you keep your own records and feel comfortable answering questions about your business.
2. Cash App Taxes: best completely free
Cash App Taxes is free for both federal and state returns, and it supports self-employment income. However, you need a Cash App account, and the guidance is minimal.
- Pros: truly $0, with no upsells.
- Cons: it doesn’t support every tax situation, such as some multi-state returns. Check its list of supported forms before you start.
- Choose it if: you have a simple side hustle, live and work in one state, and don’t need help.
3. TaxSlayer Self-Employed: cheapest paid option with expert help
TaxSlayer’s Self-Employed package costs $74.99 plus $47.99 per state, and includes access to a tax professional for questions. It also offers extra guidance on 1099 forms and Schedule C.
- Pros: tax pro access without paying extra; lower price than the big brands.
- Cons: state returns cost more than at FreeTaxUSA; fewer integrations.
- Choose it if: you want to be able to ask a professional without paying TurboTax prices.
4. TaxAct Self-Employed: best for detailed business returns
TaxAct’s Self-Employed version starts at $109.99 plus about $39.99 per state. It handles freelancers, gig workers and sole proprietors, and it walks you through business income and expenses in detail.
- Pros: thorough coverage of business situations; cheaper than TurboTax and H&R Block.
- Cons: “starting at” pricing means add-ons can raise the final cost.
- Choose it if: your business has more moving parts, such as equipment, several income sources or a vehicle.
5. H&R Block Self-Employed: best if you might want in-person help
H&R Block’s Self-Employed online version costs $130 plus $49 per state. Its main advantage is the network of physical offices, so you can switch to a tax professional in person if things get complicated.
- Pros: easy-to-follow interface; in-person backup nationwide.
- Cons: one of the most expensive options; expert review costs extra.
- Choose it if: you value knowing a real person can take over.
6. TurboTax Premium: best for first-time freelancers
TurboTax Premium formerly TurboTax Self-Employed costs $139 for federal, plus a fee for each state. It has the clearest step-by-step interview, and features like taking a photo of your 1099-NEC to fill it in automatically.
- Pros: the most beginner-friendly guidance; strong deduction prompts for self-employed filers.
- Cons: the highest price on this list, and frequent upsells to paid expert help.
- Choose it if: it’s your first year freelancing and you’d rather pay more than feel lost.
What the best tax software for freelancers must do
Not every program handles self-employment well, and the free tiers of the big brands usually don’t cover it at all. Before you pay, check that the version you pick does these five things:
- Schedule C and Schedule SE. These are the forms that report your business profit and calculate your self-employment tax. Without them, the software is useless to you. See how to fill out Schedule C line by line.
- Business expense categories. Good software asks about each type of expense, from mileage to software subscriptions, so you don’t miss deductions.
- Home office and vehicle support. Ideally with both the simplified and regular methods, since the better one depends on your numbers.
- 1099 import. Entering 1099-NEC and 1099-K forms by photo or upload saves time and typing errors.
- Quarterly estimated tax vouchers. The best programs calculate next year’s estimated payments for you. Alternatively, use our self-employment tax calculator to estimate them.
A sixth feature is optional but useful: access to a tax professional. It matters most in your first year, or if you have unusual situations like a business loss.
How to choose the best tax software for freelancers
The right pick depends less on the brand and more on your situation. Here’s a simple way to decide:
| Your situation | Our pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Side hustle next to a W-2 job, one state | Cash App Taxes or FreeTaxUSA | Both handle a W-2 plus Schedule C for little or nothing |
| Full-time freelancer, organized records | FreeTaxUSA | Full self-employment support for the price of a state return |
| First year freelancing, nervous about mistakes | TurboTax Premium | The most guidance, worth the price for one year |
| Gig driver (Uber, DoorDash, Instacart) | FreeTaxUSA or TaxSlayer | Mileage and 1099-K support without paying for extras |
| Want a pro on call without paying much | TaxSlayer Self-Employed | Tax pro access included in the price |
| Complicated year, might need someone in person | H&R Block Self-Employed | You can switch to an office if needed |
If you have a job and a side business, your tax situation has a few extra wrinkles. Read our guide to side hustle taxes before you file.
A tip that saves money: start in the software you’re considering, but compare the total price before you pay. Many programs let you enter everything for free and only charge at the end. As a result, upgrade prompts can quietly push the bill up, especially with the bigger brands.
Tax software or a CPA?
For most freelancers with a simple sole proprietorship, software is enough. It costs a fraction of a professional, and every program above files the same forms a preparer would.
However, a CPA or Enrolled Agent is usually worth the money when:
- You’re thinking about an S-Corp or already have one. The salary and payroll rules are easy to get wrong.
- You have employees, inventory or large equipment purchases you want to depreciate strategically.
- You had a business loss, or you’re behind on filing or payments.
- You got an IRS letter or you’re being audited.
- Your income jumped a lot, and you want to plan next year’s taxes, not just file this year’s.
A middle path is to file with software and pay for a one-time review, which several programs offer as an add-on. You can also hire a professional every few years to check your setup, then file yourself in between. For costs and how to decide, see Do You Need an Accountant as a Freelancer?
Frequently asked questions
Is the best tax software for freelancers worth paying for?
Only if you’ll use what you pay for. The forms are the same in every program, so a free option like FreeTaxUSA or Cash App Taxes gives you the same result if you enter the same numbers. Paying makes sense for clearer guidance or access to a tax professional.
Can I file Schedule C with free tax software?
Yes, with some programs. FreeTaxUSA and Cash App Taxes include self-employment at no federal cost. On the other hand, the free editions of TurboTax, H&R Block, TaxAct and TaxSlayer don’t cover Schedule C, so you’d need their self-employed versions.
Is IRS Direct File an option for freelancers?
No. The IRS’s Direct File program isn’t available for the 2026 filing season.
Is tax software a deductible business expense?
The part that relates to your business usually is. You can generally deduct the cost of preparing your Schedule C as a business expense. Keep the receipt.
How we chose the best tax software for freelancers
We compared the version of each program that supports self-employment income, looking at five things: total price for a federal and one state return, Schedule C and Schedule SE support, expense and 1099 features, access to expert help, and ease of use. Prices come from each company’s website as of September 2026 and apply to tax year 2025 returns. They change every season, and we update this page when new prices come out.
Prices are list prices before discounts and may change at any time; check the provider’s site before you buy. This article is for general information only and isn’t tax advice.