Side-by-side pricing, features, and expert picks for Schedule C filers, 1099 workers, and self-employed professionals.
| Software | Federal Price | State Price | Best For | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 👑 TurboTax Self-Employed | $129 | $59 | Complex returns, first-timers | File Now → |
| H&R Block Self-Employed | $115 | $37 | Best value, in-person backup | File Now → |
| 🟢 FreeTaxUSA Self-Employed | $15 | $15 | Best budget, confident filers | File Now → |
| TaxSlayer Self-Employed | $53 | $40 | Good mid-range, fast filing | File Now → |
| TaxAct Self-Employed | $100 | $55 | Feature-rich, detailed guidance | File Now → |
| Feature | TurboTax | H&R Block | FreeTaxUSA | TaxSlayer | TaxAct |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schedule C support | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| SE tax calculation | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Mileage deduction tracking | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Home office deduction | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Quarterly estimated taxes | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Live tax expert help | ✅ (paid add-on) | ✅ (paid add-on) | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ (paid add-on) |
| Import from prior year | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Price (federal + state) | $129 + $59 | $115 + $37 | $15 + $15 | $53 + $40 | $100 + $55 |
TurboTax is the gold standard. Its guided deduction finder actively uncovers write-offs you would miss. For first-year freelancers or anyone with complex situations, TurboTax at $129 typically pays for itself many times over in recovered deductions.
Best for: First-year freelancers, high earners ($80k+ SE income), anyone who wants maximum deduction confidence
Start TurboTax Self-Employed →SponsoredH&R Block offers TurboTax-quality guidance at a noticeably lower price ($115 + $37 state). The unique advantage: if you get stuck, you can walk into any H&R Block office for in-person help.
Best for: Freelancers who want solid guidance without paying TurboTax prices; anyone who values in-person fallback support
Start H&R Block Self-Employed →SponsoredFreeTaxUSA is the best-kept secret in tax software. Federal filing including Schedule C is $15, state is $15. No upsells. If you know your deductions, you save $110+ vs TurboTax.
Best for: Returning self-employed filers who know their deductions, anyone in a no-state-income-tax state
File with FreeTaxUSA →SponsoredTaxSlayer at $53 + $40 state sits in a useful middle ground. It handles all Schedule C and SE tax features, runs fast, and costs less than TurboTax and H&R Block.
Best for: Freelancers who want something between FreeTaxUSA and TurboTax in both price and polish
Try TaxSlayer Self-Employed →SponsoredTaxAct at $100 + $55 state offers comprehensive Schedule C coverage with detailed guidance. More thorough than TaxSlayer but less intuitive than TurboTax.
Best for: Detail-oriented filers who want comprehensive guidance at a below-TurboTax price
Try TaxAct Self-Employed →SponsoredFreeTaxUSA is the cheapest option — federal filing is $15 and state is $15. It fully supports Schedule C for self-employed income at a fraction of the cost of TurboTax or H&R Block.
Yes. TurboTax Self-Employed is specifically designed for 1099 workers and freelancers. It includes guided Schedule C filing, a deduction finder, SE tax calculation, mileage tracking, and quarterly estimated taxes.
FreeTaxUSA offers federal filing including Schedule C for just $15, with state at $15. Most freelancers with Schedule C income will get the best deal through FreeTaxUSA.
TurboTax Self-Employed has the most comprehensive Schedule C support with guided deduction discovery. H&R Block Self-Employed is a close second. FreeTaxUSA handles Schedule C fully at a much lower price.
The 2026 tax filing deadline for 2025 tax returns is April 15, 2026. A free 6-month extension (Form 4868) extends to October 15, 2026. An extension to file is not an extension to pay — taxes owed are due April 15.
Use our free calculators to estimate your tax bill before opening any software.