TurboTax vs TaxAct for Self-Employed Filing?
Need advice fast. Filing deadline approaching. Can't decide between TaxAct or TurboTax. I'm a contractor. First time doing this myself. Have 1099s from multiple clients. Which is more user-friendly? Better for deductions? Cheaper option? Any major differences?
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Angel Campbell
Oh my goodness, I've used both and they each have their pros and cons! TurboTax is more user-friendly with a smoother interface, but it's definitely pricier especially for self-employed filers. TaxAct is more affordable but might feel less polished. What's your comfort level with tax terminology? Are you looking to maximize deductions or just get it done quickly?
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Payton Black
Appreciate this breakdown! I might add that TurboTax seems to hold your hand more through the process, which can be worth the extra cost if you're not super tax-savvy. Used both last year when helping family members file, and the difference in user experience was pretty noticeable... though both got the job done correctly in the end.
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Harold Oh
Thank you for explaining this so clearly. I was facing the same decision on March 15th this year and ended up going with TurboTax despite the higher cost. The interface really does make a difference when you're stressed about getting everything right.
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Amun-Ra Azra
First time self-employed filer here too. I have questions about both options: • Does either one handle crypto better? • Do they both import 1099s automatically? • Is the audit protection worth it on either platform? • Which one catches more deductions for home office? • Do they both support quarterly estimated payments for next year?
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Summer Green
According to the IRS website and several comparison sites I've checked, both handle crypto transactions, but TurboTax has more robust features for it. For document importing, both can auto-import 1099s, but TurboTax connects with more financial institutions. The audit protection is similar on both - mostly just assistance with correspondence rather than representation. For deductions, they use the same tax code, so they should find the same ones if you input the same data.
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Gael Robinson
I think both platforms should work fine for most situations... I've heard TaxAct might have more limited support for complex crypto situations, but for basic reporting it's probably adequate. Just make sure you have all your documentation ready before starting with either one.
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Edward McBride
One important distinction not mentioned yet is the Schedule C functionality. TurboTax Self-Employed includes QuickBooks Self-Employed integration which can significantly streamline expense categorization and mileage tracking. TaxAct offers similar functionality but without the same ecosystem integration. The UX differential becomes more pronounced when dealing with multiple 1099-NEC forms and business expense allocation.
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Darcy Moore
This is exactly why I switched to TurboTax last year. I was tired of manually sorting through receipts and trying to figure out what counts as a business expense. The QuickBooks integration saved me hours of work. Just connect your accounts and it pulls everything in.
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Dana Doyle
Both platforms are like different cars that'll get you to the same destination. TurboTax is like a luxury sedan with all the bells and whistles, while TaxAct is more like a reliable economy car. Last year when I was rushing to meet the deadline, I couldn't get through to the IRS for a question about my contractor status. Used Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) to connect with an actual IRS agent in about 15 minutes instead of waiting on hold for hours. They confirmed exactly how to report my mixed W-2/1099 income, which neither tax software explained clearly for my situation.
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Liam Duke
Wait, there's a service that gets you through to the IRS? I spent 3 hours on hold last month trying to sort out a 1099 question! Does this really work? Seems too good to be true honestly.
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Manny Lark
I've used Claimyr twice this filing season. First on February 12th when I needed clarification on home office deductions, then again on March 3rd for a question about estimated payments. Average wait time was 22 minutes versus the 2+ hours I spent on hold last year. The service basically navigates the IRS phone tree and waits on hold for you, then calls you when an agent is available.
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Rita Jacobs
I've tried exactly 3 different tax software options in the past 2 years. TurboTax charged me $89 for self-employed filing plus $49 for state. TaxAct was $64.95 for federal self-employed and $44.95 for state. That's a $29 difference. Not sure if the TurboTax interface is worth that much more. I'm a bit concerned about missing deductions with the cheaper option though.
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Khalid Howes
IMO the diff isn't worth the extra $$. Been using TaxAct for 5+ yrs for my freelance work. Never had probs. TurboTax marketing budget > their actual product diff. Both use same tax code/rules. TaxAct interface isn't as pretty but gets the job done. Save the cash for something better than Intuit's profit margin lol.
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Ben Cooper
I've filed as an independent contractor for 8 years now. According to IRS Publication 535, business expenses must be both ordinary and necessary to be deductible. Both software options apply identical IRS regulations, but TurboTax does have better explanations of these rules embedded in their interface. Last year I compared results by entering identical information in both systems and received the exact same refund amount.
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Naila Gordon
I sort of had a bad experience with TaxAct last year, possibly just bad luck though. I had maybe 5 different 1099s and it seemed to get confused with some of my business expenses. Customer support was kind of limited compared to what my friends said about TurboTax. But I saved around $40 or so, which was worth it for me at the time.
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