Tested and ranked specifically for 1099 workers. These tools help you track miles, manage taxes, invoice clients, and build savings on irregular income.
File your Schedule C accurately and find every deduction you're owed.
The gold standard for gig worker tax filing. TurboTax Self-Employed features an industry-specific deduction finder that asks you the right questions based on your type of work, direct data import from Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, and Etsy, and guided Schedule C completion. Worth every penny for most filers — the deductions it finds will more than pay for the software.
Solid alternative to TurboTax at a lower price point. The interface is clean, Schedule C support is strong, and you can walk into a physical H&R Block office if you get stuck. Great if you also want the option of in-person help.
Completely free federal filing — even with Schedule C and self-employment income. Pay just $15 for state. If your tax situation is relatively straightforward (no complex investments or partnerships), FreeTaxUSA is genuinely all you need and will save you $100+.
Accounts designed for irregular income, automatic tax savings, and zero minimums.
Built from the ground up for freelancers. Lili automatically withholds a percentage of every deposit for taxes (you set the %) into a tax bucket. It also categorizes business vs. personal expenses, generates expense reports, and offers early direct deposit. The Pro version adds invoicing, tax form generation, and a high-yield savings account.
Another excellent banking-plus-accounting combo for self-employed workers. Found provides a free business checking account with built-in invoicing, expense tracking, tax estimates, and Schedule C preparation. The seamless integration between banking and bookkeeping is genuinely impressive for a free product.
At $0.67/mile, automatic mileage tracking pays for itself in the first week.
The most accurate automatic mileage tracker we've tested. MileIQ runs quietly in the background, logs every drive, and lets you swipe to classify trips as business or personal in seconds. Its IRS-compliant reports are accepted for audit documentation. Microsoft-owned and battle-tested.
Completely free mileage tracking with no caps. Also tracks expenses, finds deductions, estimates your quarterly taxes, and helps you shop for health insurance. If you're starting out or want a free all-in-one solution, Stride is exceptional. The Stride health insurance marketplace is genuinely one of the best ways gig workers can shop ACA plans.
For freelancers who invoice clients directly, these tools are essential.
FreshBooks is designed specifically for service-based self-employed professionals. Beautiful invoice templates, automatic payment reminders, time tracking, expense categorization, and financial reports. The accounting is robust enough to replace a bookkeeper for most freelancers, and the Profit & Loss report is Schedule C-ready.
| Software | Schedule C | App Import | Deduction Finder | Free Option | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TurboTax SE | ✓ | ✓ Uber/DD | ✓ Industry-specific | Federal only | $129+ |
| H&R Block SE | ✓ | Limited | ✓ | No | $85+ |
| TaxAct SE | ✓ | No | Basic | No | $65+ |
| FreeTaxUSA | ✓ | No | Manual | Yes — free! | $0 fed / $15 state |
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