Filing Options Compared: DIY Software vs CPA vs Free File for First-Time Freelancers
DIY tax software Best for: One Schedule C, straightforward expenses, one or two 1099s, no prior-year problems. Watch for: Upsells for “self-employed” tiers, state filing fees, and refund-advance products. Compare the total checkout price, not the advertised starting price. Most software walks you through Schedule C and Schedule SE step by step. IRS Free File Best for: Filers who meet that year’s income and eligibility rules. Check IRS.gov for the current Free File program — eligibility, participating providers, and state availability change by year. Free File is not the same as a provider’s own “free edition,” which may charge for Schedule C. ...