Best Tax Software for Self Employed in 2026

TurboTax walks self-employed filers through income, expenses and deductions as a guided interview rather than asking them to find the right forms. Its Premium product combines the former investor and self-employed tiers, covering Schedule C, rental income and investments, with document import for W-2s and other forms. Filers who want extra confidence can add expert review or hand the return to a professional through its full-service option.

The cost is the drawback. TurboTax is usually the priciest brand here, and seasonal pricing means the same return can cost more near the April deadline than early in the season. Its free edition covers only qualifying simple returns, so self-employed filers should expect to pay and should check the live price before starting.

H&R Block pairs online self-employed filing with a network of physical offices, which suits filers who want to start online and finish with a person if questions arise. Its online products cover Schedule C, deductions for home office and vehicle use, and common freelancer situations, with live help options on paid tiers. The free online tier covers simple returns, though self-employed filers will need a paid tier.

Pricing sits below TurboTax in many comparisons but above the value brands, and state filing adds a fee per state. For a freelancer who values the option of walking into an office, that premium buys real peace of mind.

TaxSlayer covers self-employed filing at a lower federal price than TurboTax or H&R Block, with full Schedule C support on its Self-Employed tier. It suits filers who know their way around a return and do not need heavy hand-holding, while still offering professional support as an add-on. Its Simply Free tier covers only narrow simple situations, so most freelancers will use a paid tier.

The interface is functional rather than polished, and the state fee can lift the total more than expected. For a confident filer who wants a mainstream product without the premium price, TaxSlayer is a solid middle ground.

TaxAct covers self-employed filers on its Self-Employed tier and also sells separate products for partnerships and corporations, which suits freelancers who later form an entity. It includes guided help for common deductions, import tools and a free tier for simple returns, with live support available on higher plans. Pricing varies through the season, so the figure you see in January may differ from the figure near the deadline.

The product range can confuse first-time buyers, since personal and business returns sit in different products. Check that the tier you pick covers Schedule C and your state before starting, and confirm the final price at checkout.

FreeTaxUSA charges $0 for federal filing on all returns, including self-employed returns with Schedule C, and $14.99 to $15.99 per state depending on the season. That makes it the cheapest credible option for a freelancer who is comfortable reading forms and does not need constant guidance. A low-cost Deluxe upgrade adds audit support and priority help.

The trade-off is guidance depth. FreeTaxUSA asks clearer, more form-based questions than TurboTax, so first-time filers may need to look up terms as they go. For a confident filer, the saving over premium brands is large and the return is the same set of IRS forms.

Cash App Taxes, formerly Credit Karma Tax, files federal and state returns free with no paid tiers, which makes it the only fully free option here that also covers state filing. It handles self-employment income and common schedules, and the mobile-first design suits filers who work from a phone. There are no upsells waiting at checkout, which is a welcome change from most tax products.

The limits matter for some filers. It does not support multiple-state, part-year or nonresident state returns, so anyone who moved states during the year needs another product. Support is also thinner than paid rivals, so complex situations may still call for a professional.

Jackson Hewitt Online charges a flat $25 for federal and state filing across all tax situations, which makes the total easy to predict. Multi-state filers and complex returns cost the same as simple ones, a clear advantage over per-state pricing. The company also runs a network of offices for filers who want in-person help.

There is no free plan, so a simple filer may pay more than with FreeTaxUSA or Cash App Taxes. The $25 product is also do-it-yourself filing software, not full preparation by a professional, so filers still complete their own return.

IRS Free File is the official IRS program offering guided federal filing free to taxpayers whose adjusted gross income falls under the program cap, reported at $89,000 or less for the recent season. Partner companies provide the software, and some include state filing, though coverage varies by partner. For an eligible self-employed filer, it is the cheapest guided route of all.

Eligibility is the limit. Filers above the income cap cannot use it, and each partner sets its own age, state and form rules, so a self-employed filer should check partner eligibility before starting. It is a program rather than a single product, but for those who qualify it deserves a place on the shortlist.