Quick Summary
Best overall: TurboTax Premium ($129 + $64 state) - best deduction finder, AI assistant, audit support. Best free: Cash App Taxes - handles Schedule C at $0. Best value: FreeTaxUSA ($0 federal + $14.99 state) - full self-employment support. Best for complex returns: H&R Block Premium ($85 + $44.99 state) - in-person help available. Best AI-powered: FlyFin - AI categorizes expenses year-round.
Self-employment taxes are more complicated than W-2 taxes. You need to calculate business income and expenses on Schedule C, pay the full 15.3% self-employment tax, make quarterly estimated payments, track deductible expenses throughout the year, and handle 1099 forms from every client who paid you over $600. The right tax software automates most of this and often finds deductions that more than cover the cost of the software itself.
We evaluated seven tax platforms based on how well they handle self-employment-specific forms, the quality of their deduction-finding features, whether they support quarterly estimated tax payments, the accuracy of their guidance, and total cost including state filing.
Our Top Recommendation
TurboTax Premium has the best deduction-finding engine for self-employed filers. Its AI assistant walks you through every expense category and the average self-employed user finds $12,000+ in deductions. Includes Schedule C, SE, and quarterly estimates.
Start TurboTax Premium FreeDisclosure: This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you when you purchase through our links. All opinions are our own.
1. TurboTax Premium
TurboTax Premium Best Overall
TurboTax Premium (formerly Self-Employed) is the most comprehensive tax solution for freelancers and independent contractors. The software connects to your bank accounts and credit cards to automatically import and categorize business expenses throughout the year. Its deduction finder scans over 500 possible deductions, and TurboTax claims the average self-employed user discovers $12,000 in deductions. The 2026 AI assistant (powered by Intuit Assist) answers tax questions in plain English and reviews your return for errors before filing. Schedule C, Schedule SE, and quarterly estimated tax calculation are all handled seamlessly.
- Pricing: $129 federal + $64 per state
- Pros: Best deduction finder, AI tax assistant, bank import for expenses, audit defense included, quarterly estimate calculator
- Cons: Most expensive option, upsells during filing, state filing cost adds up, interface can feel slow
- Best for: Self-employed filers who want maximum deductions and are willing to pay for premium guidance
2. H&R Block Premium
H&R Block Premium Best Hybrid Option
H&R Block Premium handles Schedule C, rental income, and investments with a clean interface that is easier to navigate than TurboTax. The standout advantage is the option to start online and finish in-person at any of 12,000+ H&R Block offices if you get stuck. The software includes a deduction finder, expense categorization, and audit support. For self-employed filers who want the convenience of software but the safety net of a human tax professional, H&R Block bridges both worlds. The Tax Pro Review add-on lets a CPA review your entire return before filing.
- Pricing: $85 federal + $44.99 per state
- Pros: In-person office backup, clean interface, Tax Pro Review option, imports from TurboTax, good Schedule C walkthrough
- Cons: Deduction finder not as thorough as TurboTax, Tax Pro Review costs extra, fewer expense import integrations
- Best for: Self-employed filers who want the option of in-person help with a tax professional
3. TaxAct Self-Employed
TaxAct Self-Employed Best Mid-Range
TaxAct offers solid self-employment support at a price point between free options and premium software. The Self-Employed plan handles Schedule C, 1099-NEC and 1099-K imports, business expense deductions, home office deduction, and vehicle expense tracking. The Deduction Maximizer feature walks you through common self-employment deductions you might miss. TaxAct has been filing taxes for over 20 years and the software is reliable, if less polished than TurboTax. The accuracy guarantee covers the cost of any IRS penalties caused by TaxAct calculation errors.
- Pricing: $64.99 federal + $49.99 per state
- Pros: Good price-to-feature ratio, Deduction Maximizer, accuracy guarantee, Schedule C walkthrough, prior year import
- Cons: Interface less modern, fewer integrations, customer support can be slow, no AI assistant
- Best for: Self-employed filers who want comprehensive features at a moderate price
4. FreeTaxUSA
FreeTaxUSA Best Value
FreeTaxUSA offers free federal filing that includes full self-employment support - Schedule C, Schedule SE, 1099 forms, business deductions, and home office deduction. The only cost is $14.99 for state filing. For a platform that costs a fraction of competitors, the self-employment coverage is remarkably complete. The interface is straightforward and walks you through each section of Schedule C with explanations. The Deluxe upgrade ($7.99) adds priority support, amended returns, and audit assistance. Over 100 million returns have been filed through FreeTaxUSA since 2001.
- Pricing: $0 federal + $14.99 per state (Deluxe $7.99 for extras)
- Pros: Free federal with full Schedule C support, low state filing cost, clean walkthrough, accurate calculations
- Cons: No bank import for expenses, basic interface, limited deduction-finding guidance, no AI features, no mobile app
- Best for: Budget-conscious self-employed filers who know their deductions and want to minimize software cost
5. TaxSlayer Self-Employed
TaxSlayer Self-Employed Best Support Value
TaxSlayer Self-Employed includes unlimited access to a tax professional via phone, email, or chat - a feature that competitors charge extra for or reserve for premium tiers. The software handles all self-employment forms including Schedule C, SE, and quarterly estimates. The interface is functional and guides you through business income, expenses, and deductions step by step. The 1099 import feature pulls data directly from participating institutions. For self-employed filers who value having expert access without paying TurboTax prices, TaxSlayer offers the best support-to-price ratio.
- Pricing: $62.95 federal + $39.95 per state
- Pros: Unlimited tax pro access included, reasonable pricing, Schedule C walkthrough, 1099 import, accuracy guarantee
- Cons: Interface less polished, fewer expense tracking integrations, smaller user community, less deduction guidance
- Best for: Self-employed filers who want professional tax help included in the price
6. Cash App Taxes
Cash App Taxes Best Free Option
Cash App Taxes (formerly Credit Karma Tax) offers completely free federal and state tax filing with full support for self-employment income. There are no paid tiers, no upsells, and no hidden costs. Schedule C, Schedule SE, 1099 forms, and business deductions are all included. The catch is that the software is only available through the Cash App mobile app (plus web access), and the deduction guidance is minimal compared to paid alternatives. You need to know what deductions to claim because the software will not proactively find them for you. For self-employed filers who track their own expenses and know their tax situation, the price cannot be beat.
- Pricing: $0 federal + $0 state
- Pros: Completely free including state, handles Schedule C and SE, no upsells, audit defense included, fast refund via Cash App
- Cons: Requires Cash App, minimal deduction guidance, no expense import, mobile-first interface, limited support
- Best for: Self-employed filers who track expenses independently and want zero cost
7. FlyFin
FlyFin Best AI-Powered
FlyFin takes a different approach to self-employment taxes by using AI to track and categorize your expenses throughout the year, not just at tax time. Connect your bank accounts and the AI scans every transaction, flagging potential deductions in real time. When tax season arrives, a CPA reviews your AI-prepared return before filing. The year-round approach means you are not scrambling to remember which meals were business lunches and which office supplies you bought in February. FlyFin also calculates quarterly estimated payments and sends reminders. The combination of AI categorization and CPA review is unique in the market.
- Pricing: $149/yr (AI + CPA review); $49/yr (AI only, self-file)
- Pros: Year-round AI expense tracking, CPA review included, quarterly estimate reminders, automatic deduction discovery
- Cons: Newer company, subscription model, less established than major brands, limited integration ecosystem
- Best for: Self-employed filers who want AI to track deductions year-round with a CPA safety net
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Software | Federal Price | State Price | AI Features | Pro Access | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TurboTax Premium | $129 | $64 | Yes | Add-on | Max deductions |
| H&R Block Premium | $85 | $44.99 | Limited | In-office | Hybrid help |
| TaxAct Self-Employed | $64.99 | $49.99 | No | Add-on | Mid-range |
| FreeTaxUSA | $0 | $14.99 | No | Deluxe add-on | Budget value |
| TaxSlayer SE | $62.95 | $39.95 | No | Included | Support value |
| Cash App Taxes | $0 | $0 | No | No | Zero cost |
| FlyFin | $149/yr | Included | Yes | CPA included | Year-round AI |
Ready to get started?
Compare your top picks side by side and choose the best fit for your business. Click any link above to try them free.
Get Matched to the Right ToolHow to Choose
Want maximum deductions found for you? TurboTax Premium. The deduction finder consistently outperforms competitors and the AI assistant answers questions in plain English.
Want human backup? H&R Block Premium. Start online, finish at an office if you need help. Or add Tax Pro Review for CPA sign-off.
Know your deductions already? FreeTaxUSA. Full Schedule C support for free federal and $14.99 state. Hard to beat for knowledgeable filers.
Want zero cost? Cash App Taxes. Completely free for federal and state including self-employment forms.
Want year-round tracking? FlyFin. The AI categorizes expenses in real time so tax season is just a review, not a scramble.
Frequently Asked Questions
What tax forms do self-employed people need to file?
Self-employed individuals typically need Schedule C (Profit or Loss from Business), Schedule SE (Self-Employment Tax), and Form 1040-ES for quarterly estimated payments. If you paid contractors over $600, you also need to file 1099-NEC forms.
How much does self-employed tax software cost?
Self-employed tax software ranges from free (Cash App Taxes, FreeTaxUSA federal) to $193 (TurboTax Premium with state). Most self-employed filers will pay $50-120 for federal and state combined.
What is the self-employment tax rate in 2026?
The self-employment tax rate is 15.3% on net earnings - 12.4% for Social Security and 2.9% for Medicare. An additional 0.9% Medicare surtax applies to earnings above $200,000 for single filers. You can deduct the employer-equivalent portion (7.65%) on your 1040.
Can I file my taxes for free if I am self-employed?
Yes. Cash App Taxes handles Schedule C and all self-employment forms for free including state. FreeTaxUSA offers free federal filing with self-employment support and charges $14.99 for state.
Find Every Deduction You Deserve
TurboTax Premium helps self-employed filers discover an average of $12,000+ in deductions. Schedule C, quarterly estimates, and AI guidance included. Start free - pay only when you file.
Start TurboTax Premium Free