TurboTax and H&R Block dominate self-employed tax software. Both handle Schedule C, 1099-NEC income, and self-employment tax. But they differ significantly on price, integrations, and who gets in-person help. Here's a complete comparison for freelancers filing in 2026.
Price: H&R Block Wins Clearly
H&R Block Self-Employed: $85 for federal + state included.
TurboTax Self-Employed: $129 federal only. State filing adds $49–$59. Total: $178–$188 for most freelancers.
That's a $90–$100 price difference for the same fundamental task: filing a Schedule C. Unless TurboTax offers significant advantages for your situation, H&R Block delivers better value.
Both services frequently run promotions — watch for 20-30% discounts in January-February before the April 15 deadline.
Schedule C & Freelance-Specific Features
### TurboTax Self-Employed - Industry-specific deduction lists for 500+ freelance niches (graphic design, consulting, rideshare, etc.) - Snap-and-import receipts via mobile app - Direct import from QuickBooks Self-Employed (one-click import — huge time saver) - Mileage tracking built into the mobile app - Live expert review option ($89 add-on)
### H&R Block Self-Employed - Comprehensive Schedule C with industry deduction guidance - W-2 and 1099 auto-import from employers/payers - Import prior year TurboTax return directly - AI-powered "Ask a Tax Pro" chat feature - 12,000+ in-person offices if you want face-to-face help
Winner: TurboTax for deduction coverage depth and QuickBooks integration. H&R Block for in-person option.
Who Should Use TurboTax?
TurboTax Self-Employed is worth the extra cost if:
- •You use QuickBooks Self-Employed: The one-click import saves hours of data entry and eliminates categorization errors.
- •You have complex deductions: The 500+ industry-specific deduction categories catch obscure write-offs that generic lists miss.
- •You earn over $150k: At higher incomes, a tax error costs more than the software price difference.
- •You want the most polished UX: TurboTax's interface is the benchmark for step-by-step tax guidance.
Who Should Use H&R Block?
H&R Block Self-Employed is the better choice if:
- •You want to spend less: $85 vs $178-$188 for TurboTax — that's real money.
- •You need in-person help: H&R Block's 12,000+ offices are a genuine advantage. You can drop off your documents and have a tax professional handle everything.
- •You switched from TurboTax: H&R Block imports your prior year TurboTax return, making the switch seamless.
- •You don't use QuickBooks: If you're using Wave, FreshBooks, or spreadsheets, TurboTax's QB integration isn't relevant.
- •You want state included: TurboTax charges extra for state; H&R Block includes it in the $85 price.
The H&R Block Self-Employed $85 Price: What's Included?
The $85 H&R Block Self-Employed price includes: - Federal tax return (Schedule C, self-employment tax) - One state return - Business expense tracking and deduction finder - Import of W-2s and 1099s - Audit support guarantee - AI tax assistant
It does NOT include: - Additional state returns (charged per state) - In-person filing assistance (separate service) - Live CPA review (available as add-on)
Verdict: H&R Block for Most Freelancers
For the typical freelancer — one income stream, some deductions, no employees — H&R Block Self-Employed at $85 is the rational choice. It's $90–$100 cheaper than TurboTax and handles Schedule C just as well.
Pay the premium for TurboTax only if you're a QuickBooks Self-Employed user (the import feature saves hours) or if you have an unusually complex tax situation.
For a side-by-side score comparison, see our TurboTax vs H&R Block comparison page.