Doing Taxes Yourself? Choose these Top Tax Platforms

The list below has been updated with all the relevant information for 2022

There’s a variety of ways to do taxes on your own, especially online.

With how fast and convenient online tax platforms are, there isn’t a better option nowadays unless you complete them by mail or in person. However, doing them by mail creates opportunities for making mistakes, whereas hiring someone to do your taxes for you can be even more expensive than you think.

Overall, freelancers need fast, reliable ways to streamline their taxes and save the greatest amount of money in the process. Of course, the IRS offers a free tax filing solution for users who meet certain criteria, such as having an AGI (Adjusted Gross Income) of $73,000 or less but those with higher incomes or who need a bit more assistance with federal and state taxes may need a more sophisticated service with additional functionalities. 

1. TurboTax

To start, TurboTax offers simple tax returns for free with the TurboTax Free Edition.

Certain tax benefits are covered, too, with the free edition like the Earned Income Tax Credit and child tax credits for freelancers with kids. More complex tax situations—income from multiple states or a mix of W2s and W4s—will need to file with TurboTax’s additional products to receive the assistance they need. However, each tier of service you use comes with a variety of other advantages…

Other Benefits:

• Encryption protects your returns until IRS receives them
• TurboTax supports direct deposit for your tax returns
• Tax aid services and tutorials for new entrepreneurs 
• A step-by-step income tax process that’s easy to follow and file
• On demand advice including a review by a tax expert for additional fee

2. H&R Block

If you’re the head of a small business or a self-employed filer, H&R Block is the tax platform for you.

H&R Block efficiently wraps up both federal and state taxes (for an extra fee). Not to mention, you can receive additional assistance from tax professionals—a good idea if you’re worried about making a mistake when you file. t’s in fact the only service in the list that offers both online and downloadable filing options, a mobile app and in-person assistance. Altogether, you have an easy-to-use platform that gives you accurate timeframes on your tax returns, while keeping the entire process affordable. with prices from $0 to $194.99 for federal and from $44.99 up to $49,99 for state taxes.

Other Benefits:

• When filing your taxes, you can follow simple instructions to make the process quick and painless
• IRS receives your tax filings through H&R Block while having full encryption and protection
• H&R Block stores previous documents so you can access them at anytime
• H&R grants a full refund if another tax platform offers a larger refund
• H&R has physical locations which allows you to meet with an expert in person, for an additional fee,
• 100% accuracy guaranteed or you get a reimbursement of up to $10,000

3. TaxAct

TaxAct’s used to be completely free but now has a variety of plans with even the free plan charging for the ‘per state’ returns and the tax expert support also at an additional cost.  However the platform gives you access to 26 forms of tax filings and offers one of the highest accuracy guarantees.

Switching from platform to platform is also made simple by TaxAct, letting you import certain PDFs of forms from other tax services. For example, if you start a return with Turbo Tax but realize it’s going to be too costly, you can switch gears and upload your current work onto TaxAct’s services. 

Other Benefits:

• IRS receives tax forms through TaxAct with updates along the way
• You get your refund amount and status as soon as you send your forms
• TaxAct stores up to 6 years of previous PDFs to use for certain events
• All support comes free with TaxAct including the mobile app
• A $100,000 accuracy guarantee for reimbursing IRS/State penalties or interest if a calculation error is caused by TaxAct’s software.

4. DrakeSoftware

For freelancers who treat their freelance work as a complete business, rather than just a hobby, Drake Software may be a great way to stay on top of your finances. 

Drake Tax’s best attribute lies in customizable reporting, which gives every part of a business an accurate understanding to help prepare for taxes. On top of that, Drake Tax can also determine a business’s well-being and productivity from a financial standpoint from year to year. Think of it as having your own virtual tax assistant that also gives you valuable data for the coming years. Of course, the primary goal is to complete your taxes, with ease, but there are plenty of other benefits to enjoy. 

Other Benefits:

• SecureFilePro, which allows clients to digitally complete paperwork and submit documents digitally on their end, including e-filing
• Includes many other digital tools that eliminate paper waste used in the tax filing process
• Calculates your tax returns instantly
• Estimates your final payback when filing taxes
• Built-in tools that catch tax filing mistakes and help prevent IRS rejection/audits by displaying errors accurately.
• Ability to import tax forms and integrate with a 2D barcode scanner for importing forms W-2 and K-1

5. TaxSlayer

TaxSlayer consistently appears on the top tax return software charts  and it offers a great paid option for self-employed taxpayers which is now discounted until the end of the tax season (18^th April 2022). The paid version also includes live chat and the option of speaking to a professional tax adviser. If you already have some experience in filing your taxes, this is a very good budget option for you. 

Other Benefits:

• Good pricing and cheaper options for more complex returns compared to some of the other platforms, including low fees for filing state taxes
• Ability to consult a tax pro
• Guarantee for maximum return and 100% accuracy or you’ll get reimbursed

6. Thomson Reuters

Thomson Reuters’ ONESOURCE is the best option for enterprise-level taxes that are extremely complex.

First, speak with a sales representative about the cost of ONESOURCE on your business after purchasing all of the add-ons you may need. After that, you’re free to file your taxes in ONESOURCE’s incredibly organized platform. From corporate taxes to accounting, ONESOURCE has all the necessary tools you need to make your big-time tax filing easy. That said, a typical freelancer may find the platform a bit confusing, but for any entrepreneurs who want a foolproof tax system in place, Thomson Reuters won’t disappoint. 

Other Benefits:

• Web and mobile-friendly, so it supports multiple users on multiple devices
• The IRS receives your tax forms on top of having full encryption and protection
• Along with state and federal taxes, ONESOURCE includes international tax compliance rules
• You only have to enter your data once since ONESOURCE saves your information and transfers it over from year to year
• Easily customizable reporting and ability to import easily from excel.

Keep Your Finances In Order With Fiverr Workspace

Tax season is in full swing, so you’re going to want a reliable tax platform to aid you throughout the process. 

By using this list, you can find the tax platform that’s best for you and your freelance needs. Plus, by using Fiverr Workspace, you can keep your finances in order and easily access them when the time is right. In fact, Fiverr Workspace offers a free quarterly tax calculator that you can use to estimate what your tax payouts will be each year. 

More than anything, freelance success comes from being prepared—use Fiverr Workspace to stay ahead of the curve!