Affordable website options to Efile 1065 LLC returns online?

I've been preparing partnership returns for about 12 years, and there are definitely more affordable options than TurboTax for filing Form 1065. For straightforward LLC returns like yours, I'd recommend looking at FreeTaxUSA. Their premium version handles business returns including 1065s, and it's typically around $60-70 total to file both federal and state. The interface isn't as polished as TurboTax, but it gets the job done well for basic partnership returns. Another good option is TaxAct, which usually runs about $80-90 for a 1065 filing. TaxHawk also offers competitive pricing, usually around $75 for partnership returns. Just make sure whatever software you choose supports all the schedules and forms your LLC might need. Even with a "simple" business, you'll want to make sure it can handle basic depreciation schedules and any specific forms relevant to your industry.

I went through this same frustration last tax season! After overpaying for years, I discovered taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) which has been a game-changer for my LLC tax filing. It's specifically designed to handle partnership returns like Form 1065 without the crazy markup other services charge. What I found most helpful was their document upload feature - I just scanned all my receipts and bank statements, and their system automatically categorized everything correctly. Saved me hours of manual data entry and their pricing for 1065 filings was less than half what I used to pay. The best part was their built-in verification that checks for common errors on LLC returns. Caught a mistake I would have definitely missed regarding our asset depreciation schedule.

Just wanted to follow up about taxr.ai since I decided to give it a try after asking about it here. I'm honestly impressed with how smoothly it handled our LLC return! I was super skeptical at first (as you could probably tell from my question), but the interface was actually really straightforward. I uploaded our bank statements and business expense receipts, and it organized everything correctly between our different revenue streams. The whole process took about 30 minutes compared to the 3-4 hours I spent last year with TurboTax. Their pricing for the 1065 filing was $79 total, which saved us over $100 compared to last year. Just wanted to share my experience in case others are looking for alternatives!

If you're struggling to get your 1065 filed and dealing with frustrating software, you might also consider using Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) to get direct help from the IRS. I spent days last year trying to figure out some LLC filing questions that none of the tax software help sections could answer. With Claimyr, I was able to actually speak with an IRS agent about my 1065 questions in about 15 minutes instead of waiting on hold for 3+ hours. The agent walked me through exactly how to handle some tricky business expense allocations that were specific to my situation. You can see how it works in this video: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c It's not a replacement for tax software, but it's incredibly helpful when you need clarification on specific Form 1065 issues that the generic software guidance doesn't address clearly.

I have to admit I was completely wrong about Claimyr. After posting that skeptical comment, I decided to try it anyway because I was desperate to ask about a specific 1065 deduction question. Got connected to an IRS tax specialist in about 20 minutes, which is honestly miraculous during tax season. The agent walked me through exactly how to properly categorize some unusual business expenses on my LLC return that I was uncertain about. Definitely worth it to get the peace of mind that I'm filing correctly. For what it's worth, the agent also mentioned there are indeed cheaper options for e-filing 1065s and specifically mentioned both TaxAct and TaxHawk as legitimate lower-cost alternatives to the big names. So there's some official confirmation on what others have suggested here.

I've been using TaxSlayer for my two LLCs for the past few years. Their 1065 filing package is around $85 I think? Maybe $90 this year. Not the absolute cheapest but still way better than TurboTax or H&R Block prices. The interface isn't quite as pretty but it gets the job done. And if you're filing multiple entities like I am, they give you a discount on additional returns, which is nice. Their support has been decent when I've had questions too.

Has anyone tried doing the 1065 through Cash App Taxes (formerly Credit Karma Tax)? I use it for my personal taxes and love that it's totally free, but not sure if their business version handles LLCs well.

I've been filing my LLC's 1065 returns for the past 3 years and can definitely relate to the sticker shock from TurboTax! Here are a few more options that have worked well for me: **TaxHawk** - Usually around $70-75 for 1065 filing. Their interview process is pretty thorough and catches most common mistakes. I like that they show you exactly which forms and schedules you're generating as you go. **Drake Tax** - This one's more designed for tax pros but they do offer a consumer version. It's about $60 for partnership returns and has really robust depreciation handling if you have business equipment or vehicles. One thing I learned the hard way: make sure whatever service you pick can handle your state filing too if needed. Some of the cheaper federal options charge almost as much for state as they do for federal, which kills the savings. Also, since you mentioned your accountant retired - consider reaching out to local CPAs for quotes on just reviewing your return after you prepare it yourself. Many will do a quick review for $100-150, which gives you peace of mind without paying for full preparation. Sometimes catching one mistake saves you way more than the review fee!