Every April, freelancers across the U.S. scramble to gather receipts, track mileage, and wrestle with estimated tax calculations, wishing there were an easier way.
Sound familiar?
If so, you’re not alone. Over 64 million Americans freelance—that’s 38% of the workforce. Luckily, 64 million freelancers mean there are many solutions to this shared problem.
Enter tax apps.
A tax app can turn that stress into confidence, ensuring you claim every deduction, file on time, and keep more of what you earn. In this post, I’ll spotlight the eight best freelancer tax apps—so you can focus on your craft, not your calculator.
Why Freelancers Need a Dedicated Tax App
Freelancing is amazing. You pick your projects, set your rates, and work from anywhere. But when tax season rolls around, all those wins turn into a mountain of paperwork and guesswork.
Your focus should be on:
✔️Marketing
✔️Retention
✔️Recruitment
✔️Keeping your team engaged
✔️Servicing your customers
✔️Onboarding new clients
✔️And so much more
Not taxes.
With dozens of Freelancer Tax Apps now available, it’s easier than ever to stay organized, save money, and avoid penalties. That said, here are some of the many reasons why you need a tax app:
- Tame complex income streams. You might be holding a steady 1099 contract. Maybe you just got a one-off design gig. You might make affiliate revenue on the side. Regardless of your situation, a tax app pulls every payment into one dashboard. No more hunting down invoices or scrambling to remember who still owes you money.
- Effortless expense tracking. Snap photos of receipts, tag them (home office, software subscriptions, mileage), and file them instantly. You’ll never miss a deduction because you forgot to log that new monitor or mid-week client latte.
- Stress-free quarterly estimates. Good apps automatically crunch your year-to-date earnings, apply the correct tax rates, and ping you reminders before each deadline. Instead of facing one massive bill in April, you’ll be paying in manageable, bite-sized chunks.
- Seamless integrations. If you already use QuickBooks, FreshBooks, or your bank’s mobile app, the best tax tools sync directly. They import transactions, invoices, and mileage logs without double entry. So your books stay aligned across all your platforms.
Top 8 Freelancer Tax Apps for 2025
TurboTax
TurboTax is like having a friendly tax coach in your pocket. If you’ve ever stared at a blank Schedule C form wondering where to begin, TurboTax walks you through each step with plain-English explanations and helpful tooltips.
It feels a bit like a conversation. You answer a few simple questions, and it turns your answers into the correct tax forms.
Key Features:
- Schedule C guidance. TurboTax asks you exactly the right questions to populate your self-employment income and expenses.
- Mileage tracker. Snap a photo of your odometer or link your phone’s GPS to capture business miles automatically.
- Last year import. Pull in data from your previous TurboTax return or directly import contractor 1099s.
- Deduction Finder. AI-powered prompts surface industry-specific write-offs you might otherwise overlook.
Pros & Cons:
✔️Extremely user-friendly interface
✔️Real-time error checking
✔️Robust “help me” resources
❌Higher price point than some DIY alternatives
❌Limited multi-state filing flexibility
QuickBooks Self-Employed
Think of QuickBooks Self-Employed as your all-in-one financial sidekick. It handles your invoicing, tracks your expenses, and even tells you how much tax you owe before you owe it.
If you’re tired of juggling spreadsheets and sticky notes, this app brings everything into one neat, color-coded timeline.
Key Features:
- Auto mileage capture. This feature runs in the background on your phone, so every business trip is logged without you lifting a finger.
- Quarterly tax estimates. Calculates your estimated payments as you go, then nudges you when a deadline is coming up.
- Expense categorization. Link your bank and credit cards for seamless import and easy tagging of business vs. personal transactions.
- Invoicing on the fly. Create, send, and track invoices right from your phone. No more post-project payment guesswork.
Pros & Cons:
✔️ Great for combining bookkeeping and taxes in one platform
✔️ Mobile app makes everything accessible on the go
❌ Full bookkeeping features drive up the monthly cost
❌ Sync delays sometimes leave you waiting for updated balances
H&R Block
H&R Block feels like having an experienced tax pro cheering you on. Just without the awkward office visit.
If questions pop up, you can jump into live chat or drop into one of their 4,000+ local offices for face-to-face help. Plus, importing last year’s return means you spend less time typing and more time double-checking your deductions.
Key Features:
- Unlimited live chat & in-office support. Get answers from real humans via chat or at a nearby H&R Block location.
- Audit assistance. Access free audit representation should the IRS ever come knocking.
- Last year’s import. Pull in your prior return and W-2/1099 data, so you’re not reinventing the wheel.
- Tax refund projections. See your expected refund or liability update in real time as you fill out forms.
Pros & Cons:
✔️ Robust support options for peace of mind
✔️ Flat-fee pricing without surprise add-ons
❌ The interface feels a bit dated compared to newer apps
❌ Mileage and niche freelance deductions aren’t as deeply integrated as competitors’
Top 8 Freelancer Tax Apps for 2025: TaxAct
TaxAct is your budget-friendly tax companion that doesn’t sacrifice functionality for affordability. If you’re looking to keep more of your hard-earned cash and still get all the essentials, TaxAct’s flat-fee approach and straightforward interface make it a solid choice.
Key Features:
- Price-lock guarantee. Pay a single, transparent fee upfront. You won’t be surprised by hidden costs at checkout.
- Unlimited phone and email support. Have tax questions? Reach a real person without worrying about extra charges.
- Smart import tools. Pull in W-2s and 1099s directly, so your income data is accurate from the get-go.
- Refund projection. Watch your expected refund or tax due update in real time as you go.
Pros & Cons:
✔️ Very affordable flat-fee pricing
✔️ Clear, no-frills design that keeps you focused on the forms
❌ Lacks a built-in mileage tracker—you’ll need a separate app to log business miles
❌ Fewer third-party integrations compared to bigger brands like TurboTax or QuickBooks
Top 8 Freelancer Tax Apps for 2025: Bonsai Tax
Bonsai Tax handles invoicing, contracts, proposals, and taxes all in one spot. If you’ve ever wished your billing tool could magically file your taxes, Bonsai brings you pretty close.
The moment a client pays, your income records update. And when tax season arrives, you’ve already got a neatly organized stash of documents ready to go.
Key Features:
- Integrated invoicing and tax filing. Create and send invoices, then switch to tax mode without importing or exporting anything.
- Document storage. Securely upload receipts, contracts, and 1099s in one place—no more hunting through email threads.
- Custom expense categories. Tag expenses however you like (think “software,” “marketing,” or “coworking cafés”) for hyper-specific reporting.
- Automated reminders. Get nudges for unpaid invoices and upcoming estimated-tax deadlines.
Pros & Cons:
✔️ All-in-one platform reduces app-hopping and data entry
✔️ Beautiful, minimalist interface that’s a joy to use
❌ Tax features sit behind a separate subscription tier
❌ Mobile experience can lag when uploading large files
FreshBooks (with Tax Add-On)
FreshBooks already shines as a top-tier invoicing and time-tracking tool for freelancers. And with its Tax Add-On, it becomes a surprisingly powerful tax ally. If you love FreshBooks for billing clients and logging hours, this extra module means you won’t have to switch platforms at tax time.
Key Features:
- Integrated invoicing and expense reports. Your billable hours, client payments, and business expenses live in one ecosystem. Pull them straight into your tax summary without fuss.
- Tax summary reports. Generate a clear, downloadable report of your year’s income and deductible expenses to hand off to your accountant or upload to your filing software.
- Automated late-fee reminders. Keep invoices paid on time so you’re not chasing revenue (and scrambling for money to cover your tax bill).
- Client-friendly payment links. Faster payments mean a steadier cash flow and more accurate year-end totals.
Pros & Cons:
✔️ Seamless workflow if you’re already a FreshBooks user—no extra learning curve
✔️ Beautiful, intuitive interface makes report generation a breeze
❌ Tax Add-On requires upgrading to a higher-tier plan, which can bump up your monthly cost
❌ Lacks a built-in mileage tracker—you’ll need a separate solution for logging business miles
TaxSlayer Self-Employed
If you’re watching every dollar, TaxSlayer Self-Employed is a breath of fresh air. It delivers all the essentials without charging an arm and a leg.
Key Features:
- Smart Deduction Finder. This app guides you through common freelance write-offs, from home office to supplies, so you don’t leave money on the table.
- Free Audit Assistance. If the IRS comes calling, you get access to tax pros who will help you navigate the process at no extra cost.
- Federal and State Filing. Handle both your federal return and one state return in one place.
- Simple Import Tools. Bring in W-2s and 1099s directly, reducing manual entry and typos.
Pros & Cons:
✔️Very affordable flat-fee structure
✔️Unlimited phone and email support
✔️Free audit defense
❌User interface feels a bit dated
❌No built-in mileage tracker
❌Fewer advanced integrations compared to bigger brands
FreeTaxUSA Self-Employed
FreeTaxUSA Self-Employed is the ultimate budget hero for freelancers who want to file without fuss or fees. You can prepare and e-file your federal return for free, then add on low-cost state filing if you need it.
If you’re comfortable with a straightforward interface and don’t mind handling a few extra details yourself, this tool will save you real dollars at tax time.
Key Features:
- Free federal returns. Prepare and file your federal self-employment return at no cost.
- Low-cost state filing. Add state returns for a small flat fee, keeping your overall expense minimal.
- Step-by-step wizard. Guided Schedule C and 1099 modules walk you through income reporting and deductions.
- Optional live chat support. Upgrade for real-time help from tax experts if you need a hand.
Pros & Cons:
✔️ Incredible value—no hidden costs for federal filing
✔️ Simple, uncluttered interface speeds up the process
❌ No built-in mileage tracker or bank account sync—mileage and transactions must be logged manually
❌ Support options require paid add-ons for live assistance
Tips for Maximizing Your Tax App
- Categorize immediately. As soon as you incur an expense, snap a photo and assign a category—don’t let receipts pile up.
- Automate bank sync. Link your primary checking and credit-card accounts to pull in transactions without manual upload.
- Set quarterly reminders. Use the app’s calendar alerts or your own planner to review your estimated-tax projections well before deadlines.
- Backup year-end data. Export your whole year’s reports and store them in cloud storage or with your accountant for safekeeping.
- Use a checklist to stay on track. For example, if you use Jira, you can use Jira Checklist to build and automate your tax-prep workflows alongside your other freelance projects.
- Keep proof of out-of-pocket expenses and invoices. Always keep your receipts—in case you’re ever audited, involved in a lawsuit, or your accountant simply asks to see your receipts before signing off on a return. Plus, some freelancing involves on-site, in-person work. Solid records help you quantify “special” damages (like medical bills and lost income) versus “general” damages (pain and suffering) in case you’re ever injured.
Wrapping Up the Best Freelancer Tax Apps for 2025
You don’t have to keep living with tax-season nightmares. Try a couple of these freelancer tax apps with their free trials or demos, and see which one feels like your perfect sidekick.
