Best tax software for self employed in 2026: 8 Tools Compared

TurboTax is the guided option many first-time self-employed filers choose, because the interview walks through business income, expenses, home office, vehicle use, and depreciation in plain language. Public listings place TurboTax Premium, the tier that covers rental and self-employment income, at around $139 federal plus $64 per state, with seasonal pricing changes. That price reflects the guidance, the import tools, and the option to add live expert help. The catch is cost and tiering. The free edition covers only simple returns, so a self-employed filer will need a paid tier, and state filing adds a separate charge. TurboTax is worth it when guidance and confidence matter more than saving $50 to $100, especially for a first year of self-employment or a complex year with many income sources. For a straightforward sole proprietor year, a cheaper tool files the same forms, so compare the total federal plus state cost before choosing.

H&R Block suits self-employed filers who want guided online filing plus the option to walk into an office for help. Public listings place H&R Block Self-Employed around $130 federal in recent online tiers, with state filing extra, though seasonal pricing changes apply. The online product covers Schedule C, business expenses, and self-employment tax, and the office network is a real backup for filers who want a face-to-face review. The limits are similar to TurboTax. The free edition does not cover self-employment, and the total cost rises with state filing and expert add-ons. The interface is also less polished than TurboTax for some users, though the guidance is solid. For filers who value in-person help and a lower price than TurboTax, H&R Block is a strong mainstream choice, provided you check the live total before filing.

TaxAct is a budget-conscious mainstream option for self-employed filers who want guided filing without paying a premium brand price. Public listings place TaxAct Self-Employed around $109.99 federal, with state filing extra, and the product covers Schedule C, business expenses, and common self-employment situations. For sole proprietors with a clear set of expenses and income sources, TaxAct files the same core forms as more expensive tools. The trade-off is polish and support depth. The interface is functional rather than refined, and live expert help is less extensive than TurboTax Live or H&R Block expert options. That matters less for confident filers who know their deductions, and more for first-time filers who want hand-holding. If price matters and you are comfortable with a simpler interface, TaxAct is a solid middle option.

FreeTaxUSA is the value leader for confident self-employed filers. Federal filing is free for every tax situation in public listings, including Schedule C, rentals, and investments, with state filing around $15.99 per state. A low-cost Deluxe upgrade adds extra support features, but the core filing remains free at the federal level. For a sole proprietor who knows their expenses and does not need a guided interview at every step, the saving versus TurboTax or H&R Block is substantial. The catch is guidance. FreeTaxUSA asks more of the filer, because it does not hold your hand through every deduction decision in the same way as TurboTax. That is fine for experienced filers, but first-time self-employed filers may prefer a more guided tool for year one, then switch to FreeTaxUSA once they understand their return. This guide is general information only, not tax advice, so check your own situation before choosing a low-guidance tool.

TaxSlayer suits gig workers, freelancers, and sole proprietors who want a low-cost, mainstream filing product. Public listings place TaxSlayer Self-Employed around $74.99 federal, with state filing around $47.99, though seasonal pricing changes apply. The product covers Schedule C, multiple 1099 forms, and common gig income situations, and the mobile experience is practical for filers who work from a phone. The limits are tiering and guidance. The free tier covers only simple situations, so most self-employed filers will need a paid tier, and the guidance is lighter than TurboTax or H&R Block. For a gig worker with a straightforward set of expenses, TaxSlayer offers good value. For a complex year with depreciation, inventory, or multiple businesses, a more guided tool or a tax professional may be a better fit.

Cash App Taxes, formerly Credit Karma Tax, offers fully free federal and state filing with no paid tiers in public listings. That makes it one of the cheapest ways to file a self-employed return, provided your situation fits the forms it supports. The interface is simple, the filing flow is straightforward, and there are no upsells pushing you to a paid tier during the process. The trade-off is support. Cash App Taxes offers limited live support compared with TurboTax Live or H&R Block expert options, and it does not offer the same range of assisted tiers. For a confident filer with a straightforward sole proprietor return, that is often fine. For a filer who wants live help, an expert review, or help with a complex situation, a paid tool or a tax professional will be a better choice. Check form support for your specific situation before starting a return.

Jackson Hewitt Online suits filers who prefer a flat price over a tier maze. Public listings have placed Jackson Hewitt Online at $25 flat for federal plus state filing, covering many tax situations, though seasonal offers change and the live price should be checked. That flat structure is appealing for self-employed filers who dislike watching the price rise as forms are added during filing. The catch is that there is no free plan, and the online guidance is less deep than TurboTax or H&R Block premium tiers. The office network is a useful backup, especially for filers who want in-person help after starting online. For a self-employed filer who wants a simple, flat price and does not need extensive live guidance, Jackson Hewitt Online is worth checking, with the live price confirmed before filing.

E-file.com is a smaller, low-cost online filing option that suits price-conscious self-employed filers. Public listings place its premium tiers well below TurboTax and H&R Block for a similar federal plus state total, and the product supports Schedule C and common self-employment forms in its paid tiers. For a confident filer who wants to keep costs down and does not need a large brand name, E-file.com is a practical alternative to the free and budget tools above. The limits are support depth and brand scale. E-file.com does not offer the same expert review network or office backup as H&R Block, and its guidance is lighter than TurboTax. That is acceptable for many sole proprietors, but first-time filers or filers with complex situations should weigh the saving against the value of guidance. Check the live pricing, form support, and state cost for your return before choosing E-file.com.