Best Tax Software for Small Business (2026)

Quick comparison

How we ranked these

Tax software marketing sells "free" and "simple" while the real cost depends on your entity type, your state count, and how much expert time you buy. We weighed:

• True cost for the return you actually file — Schedule C sole proprietors can pay $0; an S-corp owner is looking at $170–$639+ federal, plus state.
• Entity coverage — whether the product prepares Form 1065 (partnerships), 1120-S (S corps), and 1120 (C corps), or stops at Schedule C. This is the single most common "gotcha" in the category.
• Guidance depth — interview-style hand-holding versus forms-first interfaces, and the escalation path to a human expert.
• Price transparency — whether the vendor publishes prices you can plan around, or hides them behind a dynamic funnel.
• Track record — recent repricing, review-base reliability, and accuracy guarantees.

Star ratings below are real, sourced from G2, Capterra, and Trustpilot (linked and dated), shown only where the review base means something — several products are left unrated rather than given a shaky number. The five professional suites (Drake through CrossLink) are ranked separately in spirit: they're what your *preparer* buys, included here so you understand that bill.

The best tax software for small business

1. TurboTax Business / Experts — best guided experience, widest entity coverage

TurboTax remains the most guided way to file a business return without hiring a firm: an interview flow that holds your hand through depreciation and K-1s, and expert tiers that escalate all the way to "a human does it for you." You pay for that polish — and one structural catch decides which product you need.

• Key features: industry-matched experts with year-round help on expert tiers; QuickBooks import; K-1 generation; included audit defense on S-corp/partnership expert returns; Quick Employer Forms for W-2s/1099s.
• Pricing: Desktop Business $190 federal (5 e-files, state sold separately, Windows-only); Expert Assist online $229 federal for sole proprietors and $639 for S corps/partnerships; Expert Full Service $1,549 for entity returns. New this year: an Expert 365 Business subscription at $61/month (sole proprietors only). All read from Intuit's own product pages, as of September 2026.
• The catch: online products don't support C corporations at all — Form 1120 lives only in the Windows desktop product, and there's no Mac version. Displayed online prices move during the season (early-season promos ran lower; some pages advertise "starting at" teasers).
• Pros: the most polished interview experience in consumer tax software; real expert escalation up to full-service; multiple businesses on one desktop license.
• Cons: the most expensive DIY option; state returns always extra; no C-corp online; upsell pressure during the flow.
• Reviews: 4.5/5 on Capterra (~275 reviews) — as of September 2026.

2. H&R Block — best software-plus-human hybrid

H&R Block is the only national brand with a full ladder: DIY software → AI Tax Assist plus unlimited live tax-pro help on paid online tiers → 8,000–12,000 walk-in offices → Block Advisors for entity returns. If the thing you want from tax software is "a human I can escalate to," this is the structure that provides it.

• Key features: unlimited live tax-pro help on paid online tiers; prior-year import from TurboTax; the desktop Premium & Business product includes unlimited business returns plus employer forms; in-person escalation nationwide.
• Pricing: H&R Block renders online prices dynamically — Self-Employed Online was ~$85 federal + $37/state through mid-2026 (consistent across Forbes Advisor and SmartAsset reviews), while later-season pages show ~$130 + $49/state; we're reporting both rather than picking. Premium & Business desktop is $115 list (one state program included; extra states $39.95, state e-file $19.95), per the vendor's own fine print. Block Advisors entity prep is quote-based.
• The catch: the naming maze — online vs. desktop vs. advisors — and the online tiers top out at Schedule C; entity returns mean desktop (Windows-only) or an office visit.
• Pros: the desktop edition's unlimited entity returns is the best multi-entity value in consumer software; a real office network behind the software; cheaper than TurboTax at equivalent tiers.
• Cons: live online prices are hidden behind the funnel; desktop is Windows-only; less guided than TurboTax's interview.
• Reviews: 4.2/5 on Capterra (68 reviews, for the Premium & Business desktop product) — as of September 2026.

3. TaxAct Business — best value for entity DIY, and the only online C-corp

TaxAct does entity returns at 30–40% under TurboTax's equivalent tiers — including C-corp filing online, which no other major consumer product offers. If you know what a balance sheet is and want to file your own 1120-S, this is the credible budget path.

• Key features: all entity types online (1065, 1120-S, 1120, plus 1041 and 990); K-1 generation; QuickBooks and spreadsheet import; $100K accuracy guarantee; a bundle that files your S-corp return and personal 1040 together.
• Pricing: read from TaxAct's own product pages, as of September 2026: Sole Proprietor $109.99, Partnership $159.99, S Corp $169.99, C Corp $169.99 (federal; business state returns $69.99 each per prior verification). Xpert Assist add-ons bring sole prop to $154.99 and entities to $248.99–$258.99; expert full-service entity filing runs $249–$299 + $69 all states.
• The catch: at $69.99 per business state return, a multi-state entity's total climbs quickly — and the interview is less hand-holding than TurboTax's.
• Pros: the lowest credible price for entity DIY; full-service entity filing at $249–$299 undercuts every rival; transparent published pricing.
• Cons: less polished experience; state fees stack; smaller support ecosystem.
• Reviews: 4.6/5 on Capterra (42 reviews — a small base) — as of September 2026.

4. FreeTaxUSA — best budget pick for Schedule C filers

FreeTaxUSA does one radical thing: federal filing is $0 at every complexity level, including Schedule C self-employment returns with depreciation and home-office deductions that cost $100+ elsewhere. Run by TaxHawk, Inc. — a founding member of the IRS Free File Alliance operating since 2001 — the "free" is a two-decade business model, not a teaser.

• Key features: free federal filing for all individual situations (Schedule C, 1099s, rentals, depreciation); flat-fee state; optional Deluxe support and Pro Support upgrades; prior-year import from TurboTax, H&R Block, and TaxAct.
• Pricing: read from FreeTaxUSA's pricing page, as of September 2026: federal $0, state $15.99, Deluxe ~$7.99, Pro Support ~$64.99, Audit Defense ~$19.99. A fully-loaded self-employed return with one state and pro support still lands under $90.
• The catch: no entity returns — it cannot prepare Form 1065, 1120-S, or 1120. Single-member LLCs (which file on Schedule C) are fine; the moment you elect S-corp status, you're filing the entity return elsewhere.
• Pros: genuinely free federal for self-employed complexity, no upsell wall mid-return; support upgrades priced like accessories; two decades of history behind the model.
• Cons: plainer interface with less hand-holding; no entity returns; no desktop option or in-person escalation.
• Reviews: 4.2/5 on Trustpilot (3,000+ reviews as of mid-2026; the site's displayed count has since varied) — flagged rather than dressed up.

5. Cash App Taxes — best truly free, for simple returns

Cash App Taxes is the strangest survivor in consumer tax: Block owns it, it's been rumored for shutdown repeatedly, and it's still there — federal and one state filing for $0, no paid tiers, no income cap, with over 12 million returns filed. For a freelancer with a clean, simple Schedule C, it's real.

• Key features: free federal + one free state; supports Schedule C, D, and E income with manual entry; free audit support; accuracy guarantee up to $1,000.
• Pricing: $0 federal, $0 for one state, no paid tiers — per Cash App's own taxes page, as of September 2026.
• The catch: manual entry for everything — 1099 imports are minimal (CNET's December 2025 review is the best expert write-up) — and one state only: no multi-state, part-year, or non-resident returns. No entity returns, no paid upgrade path if you get stuck.
• Pros: truly free including the state; covers self-employment; backed by Block.
• Cons: manual data entry; single state; no help tiers; shutdown rumors keep recirculating.
• Reviews: left unrated — no reliable product-level G2/Capterra/Trustpilot base exists for the tax product specifically.

6. TaxSlayer — cheapest paid tier with live help

TaxSlayer occupies the gap between FreeTaxUSA's $0 and TurboTax's polish: a $74.99 Self-Employed tier that adds Schedule C guidance and priority support with an "Ask a Tax Pro" option. It's the budget pick for filers who want a human on call without paying expert-tier prices.

• Key features: all major forms in the Classic tier; Self-Employed tier adds Schedule C/1099 guidance, quarterly estimated-payment reminders, and priority support with Ask a Tax Pro; active-duty military file free.
• Pricing: per TaxSlayer's own fee schedule, as of September 2026: Simply Free $0, Classic $44.99, Premium $64.99, Self-Employed $74.99 federal — plus $47.99 per state on all paid plans. Early-season promos ran lower (a January 2026 Groupon guide lists $22.95–$52.95); the vendor itself notes prices "may change during the filing season."
• The catch: the $47.99 state fee erodes most of the price advantage — a one-state self-employed filer pays $122.98 total, more than TaxAct's $109.99 federal+state bundle.
• Pros: cheapest paid tier with live help access; straightforward interface; military free.
• Cons: state fee is the highest here; no entity returns; no full-service option.
• Reviews: left unrated — no reliable product-level platform rating; Forbes Advisor's May 2026 review is favorable on value.

7. Liberty Tax — the office-first option (with the weakest ratings on this list)

Liberty Tax is really a franchise office network with an online product attached. The DIY software is serviceable and the Premium tier covers Schedule C at a mid-tier price — but the consumer ratings are the worst on this list, and we're reporting that rather than burying it.

• Key features: Premium tier covers Schedules C, E, F, and K-1s; your online return can transfer to a local office for completion; in-person audit assistance.
• Pricing: Liberty renders prices dynamically; consistent across 2026 editorial reviews (U.S. News, FinanceBuzz, both February 2026): Basic $57.95, Deluxe $77.95, Premium $97.95 federal (Schedule C requires Premium), $36.95 per state. In-office prep is quote-based and runs far higher (typically $300–500+ for Schedule C).
• The catch: no free tier, no expert help inside the online product, and franchise quality varies widely by office.
• Pros: lower online Premium price than TurboTax's equivalent; a walk-in office when you want one.
• Cons: ~2.9/5 on Trustpilot with a majority of one-star reviews (as of September 2026) — the weakest consumer rating on this list; no online entity support.
• Reviews: see above — included deliberately, as a data point, not an endorsement.

8. Drake Tax — the pro-suite value pick (what your accountant might use)

Everything from here down is professional software — bought by preparers, not owners, and priced in annual licenses. We include them because "why does my CPA bill me $761 for an S-corp return?" is partly answered by what they pay for their tools. Drake is the value leader in that world: all states, all e-filing, and unlimited US-based support included in every package.

• Key features: full form library (1040 through 1120, 1065, 1041, 990, 706); every state included; browser-based Drake Tax Online; SmartExtract AI document extraction (beta, July 2026).
• Pricing: read from Drake's own pricing page, as of September 2026: Drake Tax Online $299.99 first user (+$99 each additional); Pay-Per-Return desktop $379.99 (10 individual returns included, then $49.99 individual / $74.99 business); unlimited packages from $1,895 to $3,295. Pre-season discounts run through November 30.
• Why an owner cares: a preparer on Drake's all-inclusive pricing can charge less than one on per-return or quote-based suites — and the Journal of Accountancy's September 2026 survey found Drake tied for the highest overall rating among pro products (4.4) and top-rated for tech support.
• Pros: all-inclusive pricing; the cheapest credible on-ramp in pro tax; famously responsive support.
• Cons: famously utilitarian, forms-first interface; thinner multi-preparer workflow tooling.
• Reviews: 3.8/5 on Capterra (~115 reviews) — as of September 2026.

9. Intuit ProSeries — the QuickBooks-ecosystem accountant's suite

ProSeries is Intuit's professional line — the natural home for accountants whose small-business clients run on QuickBooks, with data flowing between the products.

• Key features: full entity form coverage; Intuit Sign digital signatures; K-1 import with QBI automation; unlimited 1099/W-2 filing; optional cloud hosting.
• Pricing: read from Intuit's pricing page, as of September 2026: Pay-Per-Return $539/year license, then $69 per federal 1040 and $99 per federal business return (states $61); Basic 1040 from $729/year; unlimited tiers from $2,605/year.
• Why an owner cares: if your accountant is on the Pay-Per-Return tier, each business return they file for you carries a $99 software cost plus state fees — part of the math behind your invoice.
• Pros: deep QuickBooks integration; strong diagnostics; scalable tiers.
• Cons: per-return fees stack fast; preparer communities document renewal increases of 40%+; Windows desktop (cloud costs extra).
• Reviews: 4.2/5 on G2 (~86 reviews) · 4.0/5 on Capterra (164 reviews) — as of September 2026.

10. TaxSlayer Pro — the retail-office suite

TaxSlayer Pro powers strip-mall tax offices: flat annual pricing, unlimited 1040 e-filing, and deep integrations with bank products (the "get your refund now" loans that fund many retail offices).

• Key features: unlimited 1040 e-filing in all packages; TaxesToGo mobile client intake; deep bank-product integrations; Spanish-language Pro Web; a corporate suite in the Premium tier.
• Pricing: read from TaxSlayer Pro's own buy page, as of September 2026: Pro Classic $1,395/year (list; $1,195 new-customer promo), Pro Web $1,595 ($1,395 promo), Pro Premium $1,695 ($1,495 promo). This resolves earlier conflicting third-party figures — the vendor page is now readable directly.
• Why an owner cares: if you use a walk-in office that advertises refund advances, there's a decent chance it runs on this.
• Pros: flat pricing with unlimited e-filing; strong support reputation in preparer communities.
• Cons: corporate returns require the top tier; small public review footprint.
• Reviews: 3.9/5 on Capterra (16 reviews — a small base) — as of September 2026.

11. UltraTax CS — the complex-firm suite

UltraTax CS (Thomson Reuters) is what large, multi-preparer firms run for complex, multistate clients — used by over 30% of the largest firms per the JofA's 2026 survey. It is quote-based, with no published price list: cost is assembled from users, return volume, and states.

• Key features: 1040/1120/1065/1041/990 plus 200+ state and local forms; enter-once data sharing across related returns; single-screen multistate apportionment; Checkpoint research integration.
• Pricing: quote-based — no published prices (confirmed on the vendor's own site, as of September 2026). Third-party hosting guides estimate roughly $1,650/user/year for federal plus one state — treat that as an unverified directional figure, not a quote.
• Why an owner cares: if your return involves multi-state apportionment or a stack of related entities, your preparer's tooling costs — and their bill — scale accordingly.
• Pros: the deepest complexity handling in the category; strongest research and workflow ecosystem.
• Cons: opaque top-of-market pricing; renewal increases widely reported; suite buy-in needed for full value.
• Reviews: 3.5/5 on G2 (~50–60 reviews) — as of September 2026.

12. CrossLink — the high-volume suite

CrossLink rounds out the list as the service-bureau and franchise-office option: unlimited preparers and unlimited 1040-plus-state returns at one flat price, which no other suite here matches.

• Key features: desktop and online at identical cost; unlimited seats and 1040/state returns; TaxPass mobile document collection; service-bureau white-labeling.
• Pricing: read from CrossLink's own pricing page, as of September 2026: CrossLink 1040 $1,795/tax year, CrossLink Business $999 (requires the 1040 license; unlimited business returns).
• Why an owner cares: mostly it doesn't, directly — this is the back office of multi-office franchise operations. It's here so the pro-suite picture is complete.
• Pros: the unlimited-seats pricing model is unique; strong bank-product revenue tooling.
• Cons: not aimed at owner-filers; thin public review base.
• Reviews: left unrated — no meaningful public review base exists.

The records behind the return: free Small Business Tools

Tax software prices your return off the records you bring to it. These free tools keep those records straight all year, in your browser, with no signup:

• [Sales Tax Calculator](/tools/sales-tax-calculator) — get the tax line right on every invoice, whether you're adding tax on top or backing it out of a total. Our sales tax guide covers the combined-rate stack behind it.
• [Invoice Generator](/tools/invoice-generator) — clean, numbered invoices are exactly the gross-receipts records the IRS expects you to keep; build professional PDFs with no account and nothing stored.
• [Profit Margin Calculator](/tools/profit-margin-calculator) — know your margins *before* year-end, so a quarterly estimate never surprises you.

The free small business tools hub lists the rest by job. And if you're still choosing a structure, the LLC formation services guide covers the DIY-first path to an entity — the decision that determines which product on this list you'll need.

Which should you choose?

• You're a freelancer or sole proprietor (Schedule C) with clean books: FreeTaxUSA — $0 federal, $15.99 state. Cash App Taxes if you're single-state and want $0 total.
• You're a sole proprietor who wants a human on call: TaxSlayer Self-Employed ($74.99 + $47.99/state) or H&R Block online with unlimited live help.
• You want maximum hand-holding on an entity return: TurboTax — $639 online expert-assisted for S corps/partnerships, or the $190 desktop product if you're confident.
• You're filing your own S-corp or partnership return and know what you're doing: TaxAct at $159.99–$169.99 — or H&R Block's desktop edition at $115 if you have multiple entities (unlimited returns).
• You're a C corporation: TaxAct (only online option) or TurboTax/H&R Block desktop (Windows only).
• You'd rather hand the whole thing to a professional: skip DIY software entirely and find a preparer — ask what suite they run (Drake and ProSeries are the common ones for small firms), and use FreeTaxUSA for the personal 1040 that receives your K-1.

A cost anchor worth knowing: the IRS Free File program makes guided software free for households with AGI of $89,000 or less — if your business income is modest, check eligibility before paying anyone. Note that IRS Direct File, the government's own free filing pilot, was discontinued for the 2026 filing season, so the Free File partnerships are the free lane.

FAQs

Final take

Match the software to the return, not the marketing. If you're a Schedule C filer, start at FreeTaxUSA's $0 federal and only pay if you want a human on call (TaxSlayer, H&R Block). If your business is an S corp or partnership, the real decision is guidance versus price: TurboTax at $639 if you want experts attached, TaxAct at $169.99 if you don't, and H&R Block's $115 desktop if you have several entities. C corps have exactly one online option — TaxAct — and everyone should date-check every price at checkout, because this category reprices by the month.

Whatever you file through, the return is only as good as your records: keep numbered invoices coming from the free Invoice Generator, keep the tax line right with the Sales Tax Calculator, and know your margins year-round with the Profit Margin Calculator — free, no signup, nothing stored.