Best Tax Software Programs for Small Business

H&R Block is a well-known brand in personal and business tax preparation. It was founded in 1955 and has prepared more than 800 million tax returns. For the 2022 tax year, H&R Block prepared 20.5 million tax returns and 8.5 million people used H&R Block products to do their taxes. If you want to do your own taxes, you can choose between online and downloadable versions of H&R Block’s tax software.

Desktop users get robust options, including corporation or partnership tax forms and employee-specific tax forms. This comes through H&R Block's downloadable Premium & Business software, which costs $89.95 plus $39.95 per state return. If you can get by with a Schedule C, you can file with the Premium Online edition for $75 or Self-Employed Online for $115. Both require an extra $49 per state. If you have significant business expenses, you’ll need the Self-Employed edition, the top-tier online option.

The software program does a good job of walking you through complex tax situations. If you think you’ll need extra help, you can upgrade to Online Assist, which allows you to do your taxes on any device with unlimited, on-demand help from a tax pro. It costs $165 for Premium or $195 for Self-Employed, plus $50 per state.

Whether you file online or with the download version, the tax software comes with a maximum refund guarantee and 100% accuracy guarantee. Both versions have an audit support guarantee. Whichever you choose, H&R Block covers most tax situations and is a top choice for many business owners.

TaxAct is a large provider of online and downloadable tax software that has completed over 80 million tax returns since 2000.

Business owners who file online will pay $99.95 plus $54.95 per state. That includes sole proprietors who file with a Schedule C, partnerships that require Form 1065, and corporations that file with Form 1120 or Form 1120s. Tax-exempt organizations that file Form 990 must use the downloadable software.

The downloaded version for business owners (Windows and Mac) includes five federal e-files and one state return, and costs $159.95. Additional states cost $60 each. You can bundle personal and business for a total of $200.

The online experience isn’t quite as polished as some of the larger competitors, but it is generally intuitive and easy to follow. If you need assistance with the program, tax and technical support are available by phone. Xpert Assist provides custom guidance by phone for an additional charge. Customer service (without tax help) is also available by email.

TaxAct guarantees accuracy and the maximum possible refund but doesn’t include audit support. You can pay extra during your tax preparation process to add audit support with their third-party partner, Protection Plus. Overall, TaxAct is an excellent choice for those PC or Mac users who want to do partnership or corporation taxes on their own.

TaxSlayer traces its roots in tax preparation to 1965. It started offering tax software to professional tax preparers in 1991 and launched its consumer-facing do-it-yourself tax software business in 1998. With TaxSlayer, you can do your taxes online or with the TaxSlayer mobile app.

The Self-Employed edition costs $64.95 plus $39.95 per state. This version includes tax preparation for a 1040 Schedule C for those who operate as sole proprietors or LLCs. If you have a side hustle and get a 1099 tax form, TaxSlayer Self-Employed would handle your needs. Active-duty military personnel can file all federal tax forms for free and just pay $39.95 per state.

The Self-Employed edition includes access to a tax professional for help with all of your individual tax questions while completing your taxes. It provides phone, live chat, and email support as well as technical support. Both the Premium and Self-Employed editions include Audit Assistance for up to 3 years after your return is accepted.

TaxSlayer includes a 100% accuracy guarantee and a guaranteed maximum refund. While it doesn’t work for certain businesses that are required to complete more complex tax returns, it does a great job of handling the needs of many self-employed individuals.

TurboTax is one of the largest providers of DIY tax software and a good choice for many businesses. TurboTax is owned by Intuit, a California-based software company founded in 1983. It offers online, desktop, and mobile versions to prepare and file your taxes.

Most business owners using the online version of TurboTax would benefit from TurboTax Self-Employed, which includes personal and business income and expense tax forms. This version costs $129 plus $59 per state tax return. Desktop PC users can install TurboTax Home & Business, which includes 5 federal e-files and 1 state tax return for $130. Additional states cost $45. This version is needed to prepare taxes for a partnership or corporation.

TurboTax is popular for a reason. It has an excellent user interface and great built-in guidance to help you complete your taxes. But if you want extra help and have questions about your taxes, TurboTax Live is an add-on that provides access to a tax expert on-demand, including evening and weekend hours. The TurboTax Live Self-Employed edition costs $219 plus $64 per state tax return. This includes tax support and a final review of your taxes before filing. All TurboTax options include regular access to product and technical support.

No matter which option you choose, TurboTax includes a 100% accuracy guarantee and a maximum refund guarantee. Customers are also protected by audit support for 3 years for most returns.

FreeTaxUSA is a very low-cost solution for doing your own taxes online. It was launched in 2001 and is owned by CPA firm TaxHawk, Inc. It works through your web browser. No downloadable version is available.

The federal return is free in most cases, though many users may opt to pay about $22 for the Deluxe version ($14.99 per state and $7.99 upgrade). The Deluxe includes priority support, live chat, quick phone calls with an expert, unlimited amended returns, and audit assistance. However, if you live in a state where no state return is required, you can file completely for free.

Support is limited for users of the free edition, which makes sense, as you are not paying for individual service. The live chat with priority support included in the Deluxe Edition is available from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. eastern time, Monday through Friday.

FreeTaxUSA includes a maximum refund guarantee and 100% accuracy guarantee. If you choose the free edition, you have access to every federal tax form and won’t have to pay anything in most cases. If you are looking for a budget-friendly solution for your self-employed tax return, FreeTaxUSA may be your best choice.