TL;DR
TurboTax Self-Employed is best for US solo founders. FreeAgent handles UK Self Assessment automatically. Taxfix simplifies German tax filing. H&R Block is a solid TurboTax alternative with in-person support.
Quick Comparison
| Tool | Region | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| TurboTax Self-Employed | US | $120+/yr | Schedule C filers |
| FreeAgent | UK | £15/mo | Ltd directors |
| Taxfix | Germany | €40+/yr | German freelancers |
| H&R Block | US | $110+/yr | In-person support |
| TaxScouts | UK | £149/yr | Self Assessment help |
1. TurboTax Self-Employed
Guides US founders through Schedule C, home office deductions, and quarterly estimated taxes. Imports from QuickBooks and bank accounts. Live CPA access on premium plans.
2. FreeAgent
UK accounting software that auto-generates Self Assessment from your books. Dividend and salary optimization built in. MTD-compliant.
3. Taxfix
Mobile-first German tax filing. Answer simple questions, it handles the complex forms. Popular with freelancers and Kleinunternehmer.
4. H&R Block
TurboTax competitor with optional in-person CPA review. Good for founders who want human backup. Imports W-2s and 1099s automatically.
5. TaxScouts
UK service combining software with a real accountant who files your Self Assessment for a flat fee. Middle ground between DIY and full-service CPA.
How We Chose These Tools
We evaluated tax software on accuracy, ease of use for non-accountants, integration with bookkeeping tools, and support for self-employment-specific deductions.
Key Takeaways
- Tax software pays for itself if it finds even one missed deduction.
- If your books are clean, filing takes 1-2 hours with good software.
- Complex situations (S-Corp, multi-state, international) still need a CPA.