Self-Employed
- Imports 1099-NEC directly from DoorDash, Uber, Lyft, and Instacart
- Guided Schedule C walkthrough built specifically for gig workers
- Snappy AI finds deductions based on your specific job type
- Automatic mileage deduction calculation
- Year-round tax planning tools included
- Audit Defense package available
- Cheaper than TurboTax for same tier
- Imports 1099 from major platforms
- In-person filing option available
- Good Schedule C guidance
- Free version available for simple returns
- Fewer gig-specific prompts than TurboTax
- AI deduction finder less comprehensive
- Interface slightly less polished
- Mileage import less seamless
- Lowest price for full Schedule C
- Covers all major gig deductions
- Price lock guarantee (no upsells)
- Good for experienced DIY filers
- Less intuitive than TurboTax/HRB
- Fewer smart deduction prompts
- No direct 1099 import from platforms
- Customer support slower to respond
- Truly free federal Schedule C filing
- State only $14.99
- All IRS forms supported
- Good for simple, confident filers
- No smart deduction prompts
- Bare-bones interface
- No 1099 imports
- Easy to miss deductions if inexperienced
- Limited customer support
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | TurboTax | H&R Block | TaxAct | FreeTaxUSA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federal price (Self-Employed) | $129 | $85 | $65 | Free |
| State filing | $59 | $37 | $45 | $14.99 |
| Schedule C included | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| SE tax calculation | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 1099-NEC import from platforms | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Smart deduction finder (AI) | ✓ | Partial | ✗ | ✗ |
| Mileage deduction guidance | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Manual |
| Home office deduction | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| W-2 + 1099 in same return | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Quarterly tax estimator | ✓ | Basic | ✗ | ✗ |
| Audit support | Paid add-on | Paid add-on | ✗ | Deluxe plan |
| GigToolkit overall score | 9.5 / 10 | 8.8 / 10 | 8.0 / 10 | 7.2 / 10 |
What to Look for in Tax Software as a Gig Worker
Not all tax software is created equal for 1099 filers. Consumer-grade software is designed primarily for W-2 employees — and while most products now support Schedule C, the quality of that support varies enormously. Here's what actually matters:
Schedule C guidance quality
Schedule C is the form where you report self-employment income and deductions. The best software walks you through it with specific, contextual questions — "do you use your vehicle for delivery?" rather than "do you have vehicle expenses?" Vague questions lead to missed deductions. TurboTax's gig worker prompts are the most specific we've tested.
Smart deduction detection
The difference between $129 TurboTax and $0 FreeTaxUSA isn't really the forms — it's whether the software proactively asks you about deductions you might not know to enter. A good mileage prompt, a question about your phone data plan, or a reminder about the SE tax deduction can be worth hundreds of dollars — easily more than the cost difference between products.
1099 import capability
DoorDash, Uber, Lyft, and Instacart all partner with major tax software to allow direct import of your 1099-NEC. This saves time and reduces manual entry errors. TurboTax and H&R Block both support this; TaxAct and FreeTaxUSA require manual entry.
The FreeTaxUSA caveat
FreeTaxUSA is genuinely the best free option for 1099 filers — but "free" is only truly free if you file correctly. Gig workers who use FreeTaxUSA and miss the mileage deduction, the health insurance deduction, or the SE tax deduction could easily leave $1,500–$3,000+ on the table. We recommend it only for experienced filers who know what they're doing.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have any 1099-NEC income from gig work, you need the Self-Employed tier (or equivalent) from any tax software. The lower tiers do not include Schedule C, which is required to report self-employment income and claim business deductions. Filing without Schedule C is not only incorrect — it means you'll pay taxes on gross income rather than net income after deductions.
For most gig workers, yes — but it depends on your situation. TurboTax's edge is its smart deduction finding and guided Schedule C walkthrough. If you earned $30,000+ from gig work and haven't filed self-employment taxes before, the deductions TurboTax is likely to surface could easily save you $500–$2,000 more than a cheaper alternative. The $44 difference over H&R Block pays for itself quickly if it finds even one deduction you'd otherwise miss.
Yes. All income from gig work — regardless of how many platforms — is combined on a single Schedule C (or multiple Schedule C forms if you treat each platform as a separate business). All four products we reviewed support multiple 1099-NEC forms on a single return. TurboTax and H&R Block make this especially seamless with their import features.
All four products handle W-2 plus 1099 income in the same return. The key thing to watch is that your gig income may push you into a higher tax bracket, and you'll want to ensure your W-2 withholding is enough to cover the additional liability. TurboTax and H&R Block are particularly good at surfacing this issue and suggesting W-4 adjustments.
Consider a CPA or tax professional if: your net self-employment income exceeds $75,000 per year; you operate multiple businesses or have rental income; you're considering incorporating (LLC, S-Corp); you received a notice from the IRS; or you have significant capital gains or losses. For most gig workers earning under $75,000 from a few platforms, quality tax software is sufficient and dramatically cheaper.