Best Tax Software for Small Business: TurboTax vs. H&R Block vs. TaxSlayer

TurboTax Business: ~$170-250/yr — the user-friendly default for simple to moderate complexity

TurboTax Business is priced at roughly $170-250/year and is the right choice when you want a guided, interview-style tax preparation experience: the software asks questions in plain English and fills out the forms behind the scenes. TurboTax is genuinely good at surfacing deductions: home office, vehicle expenses, depreciation, and health insurance premiums for self-employed taxpayers. The error-checking is also best-in-class: it flags inconsistencies and calculates audit risk. The trade-off is cost: TurboTax is the most expensive of the three, and some features (expert review, audit defense) require additional fees. TurboTax is the wrong choice when your return is complex enough to require a human preparer — the software can't handle sophisticated tax planning.

H&R Block: ~$150-200/yr — the hybrid human-plus-software option

H&R Block is priced at roughly $150-200/year for the software and differentiates by offering in-person support at its 10,000+ retail locations. H&R Block is the right choice when you want the best of both worlds: software convenience with human backup when questions arise. You can start online and visit an office for review, or have a preparer handle the entire return while you provide documents. The software itself is comparable to TurboTax: guided interview, deduction finder, and error checking. The trade-off is that the in-person service costs extra (typically $100-400 depending on complexity), and the software-only experience is slightly less polished than TurboTax's. H&R Block is the wrong choice when you never need in-person support and want the pure software experience.

TaxSlayer: ~$50-100/yr — the budget-friendly alternative

TaxSlayer is priced at roughly $50-100/year and is the most affordable of the three while still handling business returns. TaxSlayer is the right choice when your return is relatively straightforward (sole proprietorship, simple LLC, basic Schedule C) and you don't need hand-holding. The interface is functional but less guided than TurboTax's — it assumes you know what forms you need. The trade-off is support: TaxSlayer's customer service is email-based and slower than TurboTax's or H&R Block's. TaxSlayer is the wrong choice when your return involves multiple states, complex depreciation, partnership distributions, or if you're not comfortable navigating tax forms without extensive guidance.

The actual decision rule

• Simple to moderate complexity, want guided experience, willing to pay for polish: TurboTax is the safe default.
• Want software convenience with human backup for questions or review: H&R Block's hybrid model is unique.
• Straightforward return, confident with tax forms, budget is tight: TaxSlayer handles the basics at half the cost.
• Complex business structure (S-corp, partnership, multi-state): all three may be insufficient — consider a CPA who can provide proactive tax planning, not just return preparation.

Run the free audit to see whether your business structure and deduction complexity match DIY tax software — or whether a professional preparer would save more than they cost.