Best tax software for small businesses in 2026

Most people think of April as tax time, but small business owner have to keep track of their tax liability all year long. The right online tax-filing software can save you time, money and stress.

CNBC Select has picked the best tax-prep programs for small business owners, self-employed workers, freelancers, sole proprietors and anyone with a side gig. TaxSlayer was the optimal choice for cost, with H&R Block rising to the top for companies that need help filing.

See all our picks below, and read more about how we made our selections in our methodology.

Who's this for? If you're a sole proprietor or LLC, TaxSlayer's Self-Employed plan is an affordable option that doesn't skimp on features.

Standout benefits: The difference among TaxSlayer's Classic, Premium, and Self-Employed plans is in how much assistance you need, not the tax situations covered. If you're a confident filer, you can file DIY with Classic and save.

Who's this for? Unlike most DIY tax-prep programs, FreeTaxUSA accepts federal returns for free, regardless of your tax situation — including self-employment income, rental properties and retirement distributions. (State filings cost $15.99, however.)

Standout benefits: Filers opt for paid plans that offer priority support, live chat, unlimited amendments and other features. If you've fallen behind, it also offers prior-year-filing

Who's this for? TurboTax and QuickBooks are both owned by Intuit, so they integrate seamlessly. That makes it easier for business owners to compile the information they need to file.

Standout benefits: TurboTax's Premium plan allows you to report income from businesses, investments and rental properties. Freelancers can claim home office expenses, mileage and other expenses.

Who's this for? In addition to a maximum refund guarantee for 1040s, TaxAct offers a $100,000 accuracy guarantee for filers using Forms 1040, 1065, 1120 and 1120-S.

Standout benefits: You can save with an online bundle for your personal and business taxes. Desktop downloads are available for Mac and PC for the same price as the online editions.

Who's this for? H&R Block offers AI Tax Assist and unlimited live chat with all paid plans, making it a great option if you need added help.

Standout benefits: Plans include five federal filings and one state filing

S-Corporations, C-Corporations, LLCs, partnerships and other businesses have specific tax forms they use to report their income and deductions for the year.

S-Corps file Form 1120-S, for example, while C-Corps use Form 1120 and partnerships use Form 1065. 

The best tax software works with accounting software to track your expenses, income, profits and losses throughout the year, so there's less to do by Tax Day.  It should also point you toward industry-specific deductions that will enable you to cut down your tax liability. 

The average cost of working with a tax professional is about $600, compared to $50 to $200 for tax-prep software for businesses.

That's significant savings — and many online programs provide access to tax pros for a moderate fee, so you can have the best of both options.

Tax software is an inexpensive and quick solution for businesses with straightforward situations, such as a single-owner Schedule C with no employees and minimal expenses. But working with a CPA or other tax professional offers a level of customized care that even the best tax software can't replicate.

They can not only suggest business deductions and credits, but also stop you from claiming ones you're not actually eligible for. They may be more diligent about determining which taxes you need to pay and which forms you're responsible for filing.

A tax professional is also better equipped to handle complex tax situations and to take a more holistic view of your business's finances, including its structure, cash flow, and long-term goals.

It will likely be more expensive than a DIY software solution, it could easily mean paying less in taxes and avoiding costly mistakes.

All of the companies on our list offer expert support, while some, including H&R Block and TurboTax, have physical branches for walk-in business.

If you're working with a professional, ask what credentials they have (e.g., CPA, enrolled agent, attorney) and make sure they have an IRS Preparer Tax Identification Number. You can review complaints with the Better Business Bureau, read comments on third-party review sites like Yelp and Thumbtack and look for any disciplinary action on CPAverify.org or the  appropriate state agency.

At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every tax software review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of tax software products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics.

To determine which tax software offers the best way for small business owners to file their taxes, CNBC Select compared each program on a range of features, including:

• Cost: We evaluated the price per plan and weighed the features you receive, like the ability to maximize deductions and credits.
• User experience: We favored options that had an intuitive interface and didn't try to upsell.
• Expert tax assistance:
• Guarantees: Companies that offer generous accuracy and maximum refund guarantees were ranked higher.
• Customer service: When possible, we considered Better Business Bureau ratings and customer reviews on Trustpilot.

We also considered CNBC Select audience data when available, such as general demographics and engagement with our content and tools. 

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