TaxAct Self-Employed
Professional-grade tax filing at a mid-range price.
Affiliate Disclosure: We may earn a commission from our partners. Our editorial team independently evaluates all tools based on features, value, and user experience.
TaxAct Self-Employed offers comprehensive Schedule C coverage with a better-than-average interface at a price between TurboTax and FreeTaxUSA. It includes all the key self-employment deductions, a Deduction Maximizer feature, and the option to import W-2 and 1099 data. A solid alternative if you find TurboTax too expensive but want more guidance than FreeTaxUSA.
Our Scores
4.1
Ease of Use
4.1
Features
4.4
Value
3.9
Support
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓Lower price than TurboTax with comparable Schedule C coverage
- ✓Deduction Maximizer finds commonly missed write-offs
- ✓Import W-2, 1099, and prior-year return data
- ✓Ask a Tax Pro add-on for professional guidance
- ✓Audit defense included in some plans
Cons
- ✗Interface is less intuitive than TurboTax
- ✗Upsells can be frustrating during filing
- ✗Live support not included in base price
- ✗State return costs extra
Best For
- →Freelancers wanting a middle-ground between TurboTax and FreeTaxUSA
- →Self-employed filers who want guided filing at lower cost
- →1099 contractors who switched from a W-2 job this year
- →Small business owners filing Schedule C
Not Ideal For
- ✗Those who want the most polished filing experience
- ✗Freelancers needing live CPA help included in the base price
- ✗Complex multi-state businesses
Pricing
Self-Employed
$65
federal return
- ✓Schedule C filing
- ✓Deduction Maximizer
- ✓1099 income support
- ✓Mileage and home office
- ✓Prior year import
Self-Employed + State
$110
federal + state
- ✓Everything above
- ✓One state return
- ✓Additional deduction help
- ✓Audit protection
Estimate Your Tax Bill First
Use our free quarterly tax calculator to estimate how much you owe before filing.
Free Quarterly Tax Calculator →Frequently Asked Questions
Is TaxAct good for self-employed?
TaxAct Self-Employed is a solid choice for freelancers who want more guidance than FreeTaxUSA but cannot justify TurboTax pricing. It covers Schedule C thoroughly and the Deduction Maximizer helps find missed write-offs.
How does TaxAct compare to TurboTax for freelancers?
TaxAct is typically $60-80 cheaper than TurboTax for comparable self-employment coverage. TurboTax has a more polished interface and better QuickBooks integration. TaxAct wins on value.
Does TaxAct import from QuickBooks?
TaxAct does not have a direct QuickBooks Self-Employed import like TurboTax does. However, you can manually enter your income and expense totals from QuickBooks reports.
Compare Other Tax Tools
Tax Information Notice
This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute tax, legal, or financial advice. Tax laws change frequently. Always consult a qualified CPA or Enrolled Agent for your specific situation.