Best Tax Software for Self-Employed in the US (2025 Guide)
✨ Introduction
Being self-employed in the US has its perks: independence, flexibility, creative control. But your tax situation and filing tax returns come with some of the responsibilities of being self-employed, too, because ultimately, you are responsible for your own taxes. Whether you are a freelancer, contractor, gig worker or small business owner, tax filing can be complicated. The good news is that it doesn’t have to be stressful, especially if you have the right tools for best tax software for self-employed.
In this post, we will highlight the best tax software for self-employed taxpayers in 2025, with comparisons, reviews, and other helpful information.
Best Tax Software for Self-Employed in the US (2025 Guide)
| Software Name | Best For | Starting Price | Free Version | Key Features | Overall Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TurboTax Self-Employed | Max Deductions | $129 | Limited | Deduction Finder, Live CPA Help | 4.8/5 |
| H&R Block Self-Employed | User-Friendly Interface | $85 | Yes | In-person Support, Mobile App | 4.5/5 |
| TaxAct Self-Employed | Affordability | $64.95 | Yes | Audit Defense, Step-by-Step Guidance | 4.3/5 |
| FreeTaxUSA | Simple Tax Filers | $14.99 | Yes (Federal) | 1099 Import, Basic UI | 4.2/5 |
| Cash App Taxes | Budget-Friendly | $0 | Yes | Free Federal & State Filing, W-2/1099 Support | 4.0/5 |
🏆 Best Tax Software for Self-Employed: Top 5 Compared
1. TurboTax Self-Employed
TurboTax will always be a time-tested classic for freelancers and gig-workers who want high-quality and premium options.
Pros:
- Great UI
- CPAs ready to help
- Maximize deductions, since many freelancers are claiming a specific number of free-lancers
Cons:
- One of the pricier options
- Sparse free features
2. H&R Block Self-Employed
H&R Block offers a combination of a smart, navigable design and human support in the form of in-person tax professionals, if necessary.
Pros:
- Accessible in-person tax professionals
- Nice mobile experience
- Very good value for the money
Cons:
- Not fully automated like TurboTax
- Limited tax planning tools
3. TaxAct Self-Employed
TaxAct’s plans are budget-friendly and it has a good feature set.
Pros:
- Affordable compared to premium softwares
- Audit support included
- Customizable deduction tools
Cons:
- Less intuitive interface
- Less integrations
4. FreeTaxUSA
FreeTaxUSA is a good choice for experienced filers seeking limited guidance.
Pros:
- Free federal filing
- Very inexpensive state filing
- Supports 1099 income and itemized deductions
Cons:
- No real-time support or audit assistance
- The design looks old-fashioned
5. Cash App Taxes (formerly Credit Karma Tax)
A completely free product with the ability to file both state and federal taxes.
Pros:
- Completely free
- Very easy to use
- Will accept both W-2 and 1099
Cons:
- Low support and features
- No expert support or audit protection
How to Choose the Best Tax Software for Self-Employed Workers
- 🔍 Know your tax situation: Are you part-time freelancer or a full-time self-employed business owner? This will make a difference.
- 🧾 Deduction support: Look primarily for tools that help you claim all your expenses.
- 🛡️ Audit protection: If you are generally at risk of creating your taxes incorrectly, you probably want to find a piece of software that comes with audit defense.
- 💰 Cost vs. value: Free is not always better if you really need expert support, functionality, features.
- 📞 Customer service: You have tell you will get help when you need it – chat, phone, even in-person!
❓ FAQ About the Best Tax Software for Self-Employed
What is the best free tax software for self-employed workers?
➡️ Answer: The best free options are Cash App Taxes and FreeTaxUSA. Both programs offer free features for self-employed workers including 1099 income.
Can I file 1099 taxes online?
➡️ Answer: Yes, all major tax software – TurboTax, H&R Block, FreeTaxUSA – will allow you to file 1099s online with step-by-step guidance.
Is TurboTax good for freelancers?
➡️ Answer: Yes! TurboTax Self-Employed is built just for freelancers and it includes deduction discovery, mileage tracking, and contact with CPAs.
How much does self-employed tax software cost?
➡️ Answer: Pricing will depend on the software you choose. FreeTaxUSA starts at $14.99 and TurboTax Self-Employed costs upwards of $129+. You’ll want to pick something that suits your features and guidance needs.
Which tax software provides audit protection?
➡️ Answer: TaxAct and TurboTax offer audit support. This is a relativity nice feature for peace of mind, particularly when there are multiple income sources.
Can I still use tax software if I have multiple 1099 clients?
➡️ Answer: Yes. All of the tax software programs for freelancers allow for multiple 1099’s. Just make sure you pick one that allows import or manual entry.
Are self-employed tax tools mobile-friendly?
➡️ Answer: Most of modern software – H&R Block, TurboTax – also has a mobile app for filing and tracking expenses on the go.
✅ Final Thoughts
Choosing the right tax software for self employment in 2025 can significantly affect the overall time and confidence in which you prepare your taxes. Whether you prefer a low-cost option, maximum customer support, or the most feature-rich product, one of the software listed above will suit your needs.
🎮 Take a Break, Play a Game!
We all know filing taxes can be stressful — so why not add a little fun into the mix? You should use the website Solitrd.com, which is a totally free site to play classic Solitaire and other casual card games, and you can do it any time! It’s an awesome way to relax between forms and filings. There are no downloads, and it’s straight-up fun that can keep you entertained. Everybody deserves to have a little fun, even if you are working as a freelancer or business owner! So, when the numbers and forms start getting too serious, click over to Solitrd.com to enjoy a ten-minute game break on the site!
