Filing taxes as a freelancer is fundamentally different from filing as a W-2 employee. You need Schedule C, you need to track business expenses, you probably owe quarterly estimated taxes, and the IRS scrutinizes self-employment income more closely. The wrong tax software makes this painful. The right one makes it almost manageable.

TurboTax, H&R Block, and TaxAct all offer self-employed tiers. But they differ significantly in pricing, guidance quality, and how well they handle the specific complexities freelancers face. Here’s how they stack up in 2026.

Quick comparison table

Feature	TurboTax Self-Employed	H&R Block Self-Employed	TaxAct Self-Employed
Federal filing	$129	$85	$64.95
State filing	$64/state	$37/state	$44.95/state
Schedule C support	Excellent (guided)	Excellent (guided)	Good (less hand-holding)
Expense categorization	AI-powered import	Manual + import	Manual + import
Quarterly estimate help	Yes (with reminders)	Yes	Basic calculator
Audit support	Max Assist included	Free in-person review	Paid add-on
Accounting import	QuickBooks, FreshBooks	QuickBooks	QuickBooks
Refund options	Direct deposit, check	Direct deposit, check, Emerald Card	Direct deposit, check

TurboTax Self-Employed: Best guidance and audit support

$129 federal + $64/state

TurboTax is the most expensive option by a significant margin, but it earns that premium with the best interview-style guidance for self-employed filers. The software asks plain-language questions about your freelance work, then translates answers into the correct tax forms.

For freelancers, TurboTax shines in expense categorization. It connects to bank accounts and credit cards, pulls in transactions, and uses AI to suggest which are business expenses and which categories they belong in. You review and confirm rather than entering everything manually.

The Schedule C walkthrough covers home office (simplified or actual method), vehicle use, equipment purchases (Section 179), health insurance premiums, and retirement contributions. Quarterly estimated tax calculations are built in with reminders when payments are due.

Audit support through TurboTax Max gives you access to a tax professional who’ll represent you if the IRS audits you. Given that Schedule C filers face higher audit rates, this is practical rather than paranoid.

The downside: $193 total (federal + one state) is steep for tax prep. If your freelance situation is straightforward, you may be paying for guidance you don’t need.

H&R Block Self-Employed: Best value with human backup

$85 federal + $37/state

H&R Block hits the sweet spot between TurboTax’s premium guidance and TaxAct’s bare-bones approach. At $122 total (federal + one state), you save $71 compared to TurboTax while still getting solid self-employment features.

The standout feature: free in-person tax review. Bring your completed online return to any physical H&R Block office and have a tax professional review it at no extra cost. For freelancers filing their first self-employed return, this safety net is invaluable.

Schedule C support is comprehensive, and the home office deduction calculator walks you through both methods. Expense import from QuickBooks works smoothly. The software handles multi-state filing well: relevant if you freelance for clients in multiple states: and extra state returns are cheaper than TurboTax ($37 vs. $64).

One gap: accounting software import is limited to QuickBooks. If you use FreshBooks, Wave, or Xero, you’ll need to export and re-categorize manually. TurboTax has better third-party integrations.

For most freelancers, H&R Block offers the best balance of guidance, accuracy, and price.

TaxAct Self-Employed: Cheapest option that still works

$64.95 federal + $44.95/state

TaxAct is for freelancers who know what they’re doing and just need software to file correctly. At $109.90 total (federal + one state), it’s the cheapest option that properly supports Schedule C and self-employment tax.

The interface is functional but no-frills. You’ll navigate through the same tax forms: Schedule C, Schedule SE, Form 8829 for home office: but with less hand-holding along the way. TaxAct assumes you understand concepts like the difference between standard mileage and actual vehicle expenses. It gives you the fields to fill in, not an education on which to choose.

Expense entry is primarily manual. You can import from QuickBooks, but there’s no AI-powered bank transaction categorization like TurboTax offers. If you’ve maintained good records throughout the year (ideally in accounting software), this isn’t a problem. If you’re reconstructing your expenses from bank statements in April, you’ll miss TurboTax’s automation.

Quarterly estimates get a basic calculator but no integrated reminders or payment scheduling. You’ll need to note the dates yourself and make payments through IRS Direct Pay separately.

Audit support is a paid add-on ($39.95 for Audit Defense) rather than included. This brings your total closer to H&R Block’s price if you want the protection.

TaxAct works best for experienced freelancers who’ve filed self-employed returns before, keep organized records, and want to spend as little as possible on tax preparation. If this is your first year freelancing, spend the extra money on H&R Block or TurboTax for the guidance.

What freelancers need that W-2 filers don’t

If you’re newly self-employed, here’s why regular tax software tiers aren’t enough:

Schedule C (Profit or Loss). This is where you report all freelance income and deductible business expenses. Free tax software doesn’t support it.

Schedule SE (Self-Employment Tax). You owe an extra 15.3% on self-employment income for Social Security and Medicare: the portion your employer would normally cover. This isn’t optional.

Quarterly estimated taxes. The IRS expects payment four times a year, not just in April. Miss a quarter and you’ll owe penalties regardless of your final balance.

Business expense tracking. Home office, equipment, software subscriptions, professional development, health insurance: the deductions available to self-employed workers are extensive but require documentation.

1099 reconciliation. You’ll receive 1099-NEC forms from clients who paid you $600+, but you need to report ALL income: including payments under the 1099 threshold.

All three options in this comparison handle these requirements. The difference is how much they guide you through the process.

The bottom line

Choose TurboTax if: This is your first year freelancing, you have complex expenses, or you want AI to sort through your bank transactions. The premium is worth the guidance.

Choose H&R Block if: You want solid self-employment support at a reasonable price, especially if having a professional review your return gives you peace of mind.

Choose TaxAct if: You’re an experienced freelancer with organized records who just needs a filing tool, not an education.

For related freelance financial tools, see our guides on invoicing software for freelancers, FreshBooks pricing in 2026, and bookkeeping software for small firms.

FAQ

Can I file my freelance taxes for free?

Only if your income is below certain thresholds. IRS Free File (through partner software) supports adjusted gross income under $84,000, but the free options typically don’t include Schedule C support. In practice, most freelancers need a paid tier. H&R Block and TaxAct occasionally offer promotional pricing early in tax season.

When should I file quarterly estimated taxes?

Due dates are April 15, June 15, September 15, and January 15 of the following year. You should file quarterly if you expect to owe $1,000+ when you file your annual return. All three software options can calculate your quarterly amounts based on your previous return.

Can I switch tax software mid-year?

Yes. You can use any software regardless of what you used last year. TurboTax and H&R Block can import your prior-year return from competitors (usually via PDF upload). Your tax history belongs to you, not to any software provider.

Do I need separate tax software for my freelance business?

Not unless you’ve incorporated (LLC taxed as S-corp or C-corp). Sole proprietors and single-member LLCs file Schedule C as part of their personal tax return. The self-employed tiers of TurboTax, H&R Block, and TaxAct handle this on your individual Form 1040.

Is it worth paying an accountant instead of using software?

For simple freelance situations (one income source, standard deductions), software is usually sufficient. Consider an accountant if: you earned over $150K self-employed, you have employees or contractors, you’re choosing between entity structures, or you received an audit notice. A good CPA costs $300-$800 for a freelance return but may find deductions that more than cover their fee.