Filing your tax returns if you’re self-employed or a contractor is challenging and requires robust software solutions to ensure you limit your tax liability.
Many tax software platforms integrate artificial intelligence (AI) and automation, which enhances efficiency and accuracy for freelancers and contractors. Selecting the right software will make filing your taxes easier and help you minimize the amount you pay the Internal Revenue Service.
What Makes a Good Tax Software for Self-Employed and Contractors in 2025?
The ideal software must go beyond basic calculations. It should help you maximize deductions, streamline processes, and protect against audits and errors.
TurboTax
Known for its user-friendly interface and comprehensive features, Intuit’s TurboTax is an excellent choice for taxpayers who want step-by-step guidance.
With TurboTax’s software for sole proprietors, you can start preparing your tax return for free and pay the $169 fee when you file. The TurboTax software supports sole proprietorships, including single-member limited liability companies (LLCs), whether you’re a new or an established business.
TurboTax helps sole proprietorships and single-member LLCs file forms 1099-NEC, Schedule C forms and personal taxes together.
TurboTax’s small business tax experts can help you along the way, or you can upgrade to have a tax expert prepare and file your taxes. TurboTax also provides unlimited, year-round tax support at no additional cost. You can connect with an expert without an appointment as often as necessary, including on nights and weekends.
TurboTax’s 100% guarantee gives you the peace of mind of knowing that your business taxes have been done correctly.
Why We Picked It: TurboTax provides audit protection at no extra cost. You’ll get one-on-one audit support from a tax professional whenever needed.
H&R Block Self-Employed
Whether you’re a small business or work side hustle jobs, H&R Block’s Self-Employed software is a good choice for reporting income and deductions.
For $85, the software provides unlimited help from AI Tax Assist and live tax professionals. The number of questions you can ask or the support you’ll receive isn’t limited.
You won’t need to scan your documents or manually enter your W-2. You can just take a photo of your documents and upload them into the software. You can prepare your tax returns on any device at your own pace.
If you did your taxes with TurboTax last year and want to switch, H&R Block makes it easy. You can upload last year’s return or H&R Block will securely transfer it.
You’ll also receive real-time updates on the status of your return, so you won’t have to wonder where your money is if you’re getting a refund.
H&R Block will check your return for errors and help you fix any mistakes it finds.
Why We Picked It: Besides allowing you to report small-business expenses, the software lets you report rental income and deductions, asset depreciation and income from stocks, bonds and other investments. You also can deduct real estate taxes and home mortgage interest.
TaxSlayer Self-Employed
TaxSlayer Self-Employed is designed for 1099 filers, including those with W-2 income.
For $59.95, it’s a more budget-friendly option than others but still provides the features you need.
You can import your W-2s and 1099s, and the software will autofill your income and wages. It also will fill your return with last year’s tax information. TaxSlayer will guide you through entering your business income and expenses to maximize your deductions.
The software’s cost also includes unlimited phone, email and live chat support. For your most difficult question, you can talk to a tax professional with self-employed expertise.
TaxSlayer’s professionals also provide audit assistance for up to three years after the IRS accepts your return.
Why We Picked It: It’s important to make quarterly payments on time to avoid unnecessary fees, and TaxSlayer will remind you to do it. You can print your payment vouchers in a few simple steps.
FreeTaxUSA
FreeTaxUSA is ideal for freelancers, small businesses and contractors who are looking for a low-cost solution to file their federal tax returns.
FreeTaxUSA lets you file your federal tax returns for free, although you’ll pay a fee of $14.99 for each state you file in. If you want live chat, priority support and unlimited amended returns, you can upgrade to the Deluxe version of the software for $7.99. Professional support costs $39.99.
You can easily import a PDF of last year’s tax return from another tax software.
The IRS-approved e-file provider has filed over 71 million returns. It has all the forms you’ll need if you’re self-employed, including 1099s, Schedule C, Schedule E and the home office deduction form.
Why We Picked It: FreeTaxUSA checks your return for accuracy when you enter the information. When you complete a section of your return, it checks for issues and alerts you if something doesn’t look right. It does one more final check before filing with the IRS to ensure your return is complete and correct.
TaxAct
For $69.99, TaxAct’s self-employed tax preparation software gives you everything you need to file an accurate tax return.
You can account for homeownership, child and dependent care, health savings accounts, selling stocks or crypto, selling your house and rental income.
The software lets you import your tax return from last year and calculate depreciation on office equipment. It also helps you maximize your deduction and provides year-round planning resources.
If you need live tax advice, you can add that service anytime for $60. You’ll get to speak with a real tax expert over the phone to receive personalized advice. You can also ask to have your return reviewed before filing.
Why We Picked It: TaxAct is so confident that its software will calculate your tax return accurately that it backs it up with its $100k Accuracy Guarantee. If an error in its software results in you getting a smaller refund or a larger tax liability than a competitor’s software, up to $100,000.
Cash App
Cash App lets you prepare and file your tax return for free if you're a sole proprietor or single-member LLC.
The IRS-authorized e-file provider guarantees its calculations are accurate and says it meets or exceeds all security standards set by the IRS to keep your information secure.
Although Cash App Taxes is not a tax adviser, you can find answers to many of your questions through Cash App Taxes Support. If you don't find answers to your questions there, Cash App Taxes recommends contacting your legal or tax adviser.
Cash App offers more than tax return preparation tools. The financial services platform is a digital wallet that allows users to send, receive or save money, access a debit card, invest in stocks or Bitcoin and apply for personal loans. Last year, Cash App reported 57 million users and $248 billion in annual inflows.
Why We Picked It: Most e-filing programs charge additional fees for filing state taxes, but with Cash App Taxes, filing both federal and state tax returns is free – even if you have 1099s, stocks or crypto.
QuickBooks Solopreneur
If you sign up for a monthly QuickBooks Solopreneur subscription, you’ll have year-round visibility into your business, which will allow you to take the maximum tax deductions.
The subscription is normally $20 per month, but QuickBooks currently offers it for $10. You can try it for free for 30 days.
QuickBooks Solopreneur lets you automate your income and expense tracking to maximize your deductions and simplify filing your tax returns.
You can separate your business and personal expenses, capture receipts and track your mileage all in one place.
You also get live expert tax advice at any time.
Why We Picked It: You can see your income, expenses and profit all in one place. Business and personal expenses are automatically sorted into categories so you can track your spending and maximize tax deductions.
TaxHawk
You can file your federal tax returns for free with TaxHawk’s self-employed tax software, but filing state returns will cost you $15.99.
The software lets you import last year’s tax return, write off mortgage interest and property taxes, get credit for charitable contributions and report income from stocks, bonds and dividends. You can claim your rental income and expenses and get a deduction for your health savings account contributions. You can also compare this year’s numbers with last year's.
TaxHawk encrypts, secures and protects your data and won’t sell your private information.
If you upgrade to TaxHawk’s Pro software for $44.99, you can start your tax return and schedule a call with a Tax Pro when you have specific questions. The live screen share feature will let the professional view your information to ensure you’re doing things right.
Why We Picked It: TaxHawk can handle complex tax situations self-employed people tend to have, as well as accounting for stock and crypto investments – all for free.
How We Chose These Tax Software for Self-Employed and Contractors in 2025
We evaluated several key criteria to select the best self-employed tax software, including ease of use, pricing, features, customer support and accuracy. We also considered security measures and integration with accounting tools.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which tax software is best for the self-employed?
The best tax software depends on what you need. If you want a guided process, TurboTax is a good choice.
What tax form is best for self-employment?
The key forms for filing self-employment taxes are Schedule SE (Form 1040) to calculate your self-employment tax, including Social Security and Medicare, and Form 1040-ES to estimate your quarterly tax payments.
What software do most tax professionals use?
Tax professionals use specialized software, including Intuit ProSeries Tax, Drake Tax and TaxSlayer Pro.