17 Best Business Tax Software To Manage Tax Obligations For 2024
10 Best Business Tax Software Shortlist
Here's my pick of the 10 best software from the 19 tools reviewed.
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There are seemingly countless business tax software solutions available, so figuring out which is best for you is tough. You want to automate the calculation of various taxes, ensure compliance with tax laws and regulations, and identify potential deductions and credits—but now need to figure out which tool is the best fit. In this post, I make things simple, leveraging my experience as an HR expert using dozens of different business tax tools to bring you this shortlist of the best business tax software overall.
What Is Business Tax Software?
Business tax software is a digital solution designed to assist companies in managing and filing their taxes. It automates tax calculations, ensures compliance with tax laws, and helps identify deductions and credits.
The purpose is to simplify the complex process of tax preparation, reduce the risk of errors, and save time. It provides updated information on tax regulations, making it easier for businesses to stay compliant. By using business tax software, companies can efficiently handle their tax obligations, leading to more accurate financial reporting and better financial management.
Overviews Of The 10 Best Business Tax Software
Here’s a short description of each business tax software that made it into my top 10 list, including a screenshot, noteworthy features, pros and cons, and pricing details. Keep reading to find additional bonus picks at the bottom of the list.
Deel is a comprehensive HR and payroll management tool that assists businesses in hiring globally, automating payroll, ensuring compliance, and managing their entire global team in one platform.
Why I picked Deel: Deel's platform is designed to manage both employees and contractors, offering a unified solution for international hiring, global payroll administration, and compliance tasks. It offers several features that assist with business tax software needs, such as handling taxes, generating payslips, and ensuring compliance with local tax laws around the world. The platform also integrates with various financial and accounting systems, which can help businesses maintain accurate tax records and streamline their tax reporting processes.
Deel Standout Features and Integrations
Standout features include providing payroll and local benefits, a comprehensive HR information system, access to co-working spaces through WeWork, in-house visa support, easy contract creation, and worldwide equipment shipping.
Integrations include Slack, Google Workspace, Brex, HubStaff, Officely, Jira, QuickBooks, BambooHR, Xero, and Expensify.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Fast money withdrawal
- Eliminates administrative tasks and streamlines operations
- User-friendly platform
- Fast money withdrawal
- Eliminates administrative tasks and streamlines operations
- User-friendly platform
Cons:
- Limited customization options
- System errors can cause payroll delays
- Limited customization options
- System errors can cause payroll delays
InsightSoftware is a business tax management solution that enables mid-sized businesses to navigate complex tax regulations and simplify their filing process with automation.
Why I picked InsightSoftware: I selected InsightSoftware because it helps mid-sized businesses who have complex tax needs automate their tax processes while reducing the risk of an audit. The platform collects data from third-party apps and aggregates it to help you uncover insights and make strategic decisions regarding your financial situation.
InsightSoftware Standout Features and Integrations:
Standout features include tax calculation, reporting, audit support, a tax repository, automated workflows, and a self-service portal. I like the platform’s tax calculation feature because it’s fast and allows you to get accurate current and deferred calculations on a state-by-state basis.
Integrations include dozens of business tools, including Oracle ERP Cloud, Oracle PeopleSoft, Microsoft 365 Business Central, SAP Business One, NetSuite, Deltek Vision Cloud, Epicor CMS, Infor CloudSuite Financials, Sage, and QuickBooks Online.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Enables you to build custom report templates
- Flexible, customizable solution
- Consolidates all your tax information, simplifying your financial reporting
Cons:
- The platform can lag at times when importing large sets of data
- Limited automations for income tax credit and net operating loss calculations
Avalara is a business tax platform that helps North American e-commerce businesses report their inventory and file their taxes.
Why I picked Avalara: Avalara made my list thanks to its native integrations with e-commerce platforms and marketplaces. The software pulls data directly from your e-commerce tool and uses it to populate your tax forms, making it easy to calculate your tax rates according to your local jurisdiction.
Avalara Standout Features and Integrations:
Standout features include e-invoicing, business profiles, consolidated reports, document management, tax return filing, a knowledge base, and custom alerts. I like Avalara’s custom alert feature because it notifies you when you have to take action in different tax jurisdictions, making it one of the best tax software options for businesses operating in multiple states or provinces.
Integrations include 1,200+ integration partnerships with e-commerce platforms, payroll solutions, payment tools, and CRMs, such as Sage, Magento, NetSuite, Microsoft Dynamics, Shopify Plus, Stripe Invoicing, Zuora, QuickBooks, WooCommerce, Amazon Seller, and Salesforce.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Great selection of tutorials and training materials for e-commerce businesses
- Helps you submit accurate state and federal returns
- Search feature enables you to find the right information in the platform’s FAQs
Cons:
- Can be more expensive than other tax software programs for small businesses
- Novice users can find the platform overwhelming
QuickBooks Self-Employed is a business tax prep software that helps freelancers and contractors estimate and file their taxes.
Why I picked QuickBooks Self-Employed: QuickBooks Self-Employed made my top 10 list thanks to its built-in reports. These reports helps people who rely on gig work to see how their business is doing during each financial quarter so they can take advantage of opportunities like tax rebates or credits. The platform also makes it easy to organize your receipts, so single-member LLCs can track their expenses and prepare their Schedule C forms.
QuickBooks Self-Employed Standout Features and Integrations:
Standout features include expense tracking, mileage tracking, tax estimations, state and federal filing, and built-in reports. I like the platform’s mileage tracking because it enables you to categorize your work-related trips using your phone’s GPS.
Integrations include 700+ solutions, including Etsy, PayPal, Square, Amazon Business, eBay, Amazon Seller, Shopify, Gusto, Float, and Expensify.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Makes it easy to organize and store your receipts
- Enables you to automate part of your tax reporting
- Simplifies your expense tracking
Cons:
- Finding a particular receipt in all your saved files can be time consuming
- Onboarding process could be improved
TaxSlayer is a business tax software that enables self-employed individuals to find what deductions and credits they can qualify for, ensuring that you file your tax return correctly.
Why I picked TaxSlayer: TaxSlayer made my list thanks to its robust solution for freelancers. The platform guides you through the process of entering your business income and expenses so you can get more deductions. And if you can’t wrap your head around the process, the software provides unlimited email, chat, and phone support.
TaxSlayer Standout Features and Integrations:
Standout features include audit defense, e-filing, W-2s, 1099s, a knowledge base, the ability to import previous state returns, and self-employed tax consultation services. I like TaxSlayer’s automated reminders because they help you keep track of your tax payments so you can avoid penalty fees.
Integrations include various payroll and CRM solutions, such as QuickBooks Online, TaxDome, Xero, TaxJar, and Zendesk.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Maximum refund guarantee
- Tax refund tracking helps you determine when to expect your refund
- Mobile app allows you to file your taxes from anywhere
Cons:
- Using the client portal at its full potential can be challenging
- Lacks a donation calculator
TaxAct is a business tax software that enables you to file your taxes on your own while providing contextual help for each step of the filing process.
Why I picked TaxAct: I selected TaxAct for my top 10 list because it gives you helpful tips on how to calculate and file your taxes correctly with the IRS. The software offers a great user experience and even comes with a mobile app, allowing you to file your taxes using only your mobile device.
TaxAct Standout Features and Integrations:
Standout features include e-filing, tax deductions and credits calculations, unlimited free tax expert support, document import, and a mobile app. I like TaxAct’s mobile app because it allows you to upload documents by taking pictures with your phone’s camera.
Integrations include several payroll solutions, such as QuickBooks, Sage Online, Xero, TaxDome, and Wave.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Unlimited support
- Easy document uploading process
- Allows you to import your tax documents from other providers to minimize filing errors
Cons:
- The knowledge base’s search function could be more accurate
- Filers can’t downgrade to a cheaper plan once they start filing their tax returns
H&R Block is a business tax solution software provider that helps Canadian small business owners file their income taxes whether they’re running sole proprietorships or small corporations.
Why I picked H&R Block: I picked H&R Block because its filing process is smooth and makes it easy for small business owners to remember potential deductions or federal tax breaks. New users go through a series of prompts to determine their tax situation while returning users have their information auto-populated from the previous tax year’s returns.
H&R Block Standout Features and Integrations:
Standout features include crypto support, donation calculators, audit support, full service filing, document auto-import, and live support. I like H&R Block’s live support feature because it gives you unlimited chat or screen-sharing sessions with certified public accountants (CPAs), so you can get tax advice on how to maximize your deductions or tax credits relevant to your industry.
H&R Block integrates with CoinTracker, a crypto tax software provider.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Accuracy guarantee
- Robust free version for simple returns
- Offers a good selection of forms to choose from
Cons:
- Some verification errors don’t provide detailed explanations
- The error checker might highlight previously corrected errors as still being an issue
ProSeries Tax is a business tax software that helps North American business owners save time when filing their taxes with dedicated features.
Why I picked ProSeries Tax: ProSeries Tax made it into my top 10 list thanks to its time-saving features, such as quick entry sheets, a keyword-based search feature, automated data imports, and tax return input guidance. The solution is friendly toward first-time users and offers a guided workflow you can rely on to file your federal and state returns.
ProSeries Tax Standout Features and Integrations:
Standout features include a personalized training portal, e-filing, automated imports, software webinars, guided onboarding, a knowledge base, and community advice. I like the platform’s personalized training portal because it allows you to access tutorials and videos tailored to your needs and skill level.
Integrations include e-signing software and payroll solutions, such as DocuSign, QuickBooks Online Payroll, ADP Workforce Now, Gusto, SurePayroll, and Paychex Flex.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Helpful tool for tax professionals managing multiple clients
- Interface is easy to use and navigate
- Comprehensive diagnostics and error checking tools
Cons:
- The interface may lag at times
- Limited customization options for reports
Intuit TurboTax is a popular business tax prep provider that enables you to file your taxes on your own or with the help of an expert.
Why I picked Intuit TurboTax: Intuit TurboTax made my top 10 list thanks to the user experience it offers. Filing taxes with TurboTax is like having an in-depth interview with a tax specialist. The software creates a step-by-step journey that allows you to upload documents so you can report your business income, calculate your taxes, write off business expenses, and store your federal or state tax returns.
Intuit TurboTax Standout Features and Integrations:
Standout features include document importing, crypto support, a donation calculator, rental property tax calculations, on-demand screen sharing, and chat or phone support. I like the platform’s live assistant feature because it enables you to connect with an expert and determine what deductions and credits your business is eligible for.
Intuit TurboTax integrates with dozens of payroll and HR software solutions, including ADP, Ceridian Dayforce, Paycom, Gatekeeper, PayrollMaxx, Gusto, QuickBooks, Paycor, Paylocity, and UKG Pro.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Great customer support
- Clean and straightforward interface
- Very easy to use
Cons:
- Free version can’t handle itemized deductions
- Freemium version available only for simple tax returns
Oracle Cloud EPM Tax Reporting is a tax prep solution that enables you to automate and speed up your business reporting process.
Why I picked Oracle Cloud EPM Tax Reporting: I chose Oracle Cloud EPM Tax Reporting because it can help you automate several tasks involved in tax reporting, such as data extraction, tax calculation, and tax preparation. The solution reads your tax return data, auto-populates your forms, and calculates your taxes. The platform relies on a vast library of tax calculation rules to ensure accuracy for every tax jurisdiction so you can avoid fines or penalties.
Oracle Cloud EPM Tax Reporting Standout Features and Integrations:
Standout features include country-by-country reporting, tax provision calculations, automated imports, research and development (R&D) credit calculations, and task monitoring. I like Oracle Cloud EPM Tax Reporting’s task monitoring feature because it allows you to assign task owners, due dates, and statuses for every procedure, making it easy to coordinate your team.
Integrations include other Oracle business apps, such as Oracle Cloud Financials, Oracle Cloud Planning, Oracle Cloud Tax Engine, Oracle Cloud Data Integrator, and third-party apps like SAP BusinessObjects, Microsoft Power BI, Qlik Sense, and TIBCO Spotfire
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Exports tax provisions and trial balances to your compliance software
- Automatically imports your tax return information for increased accuracy
- Easy to integrate with tax compliance software
Cons:
- No option to create custom rules for calculations
- Has a learning curve
The 10 Best Business Tax Software Summary
This comparison chart summarizes basic details about each of my top business tax software selections. You can view pricing details and the availability of free trials or demos side-by-side to help you find the best software for your budget and business needs.
| Tools | Price | |
|---|---|---|
| Deel | Flat rate user pricing, with a free version for businesses with up to 200 people | Website |
| Insightsoftware | Pricing upon request | Website |
| Avalara | From $19/month | Website |
| QuickBooks Self-Employed | From $10/month | Website |
| TaxSlayer | From $34.95/filing | Website |
| TaxAct | From $99.95/filing | Website |
| H&R Block | From $19.99/filing | Website |
| ProSeries Tax | From $389/year | Website |
| Intuit TurboTax | From $99/filing | Website |
| Oracle Cloud EPM Tax Reporting | Pricing upon request | Website |
Compare Software Specs Side by Side
Use our comparison chart to review and evaluate software specs side-by-side.
Compare SoftwareOther Options
Here are some other great business tax solutions I came across during my research. I didn’t have room for a full review for each of these but they are still worthy of consideration:
- Vertex
For lease tax management
- Intuit ProFile Tax
For community support
- UltraTax CS
For complex tax scenarios
- TaxCloud
For ecommerce sales tax compliance
- FreeTaxUSA
Free tax software
- TaxCycle
For personalized support
- TurboTax Business
For partnerships, multi-member LLC’s, trusts and estates
- Drake Software
For ease of use
- ProTax by QuickBooks Online Accountant
For year-end tax prep for Canadian businesses
Selection Criteria for Business Tax Software
Here’s a short summary of the main selection and evaluation criteria I used to develop my list of the best business tax software for this article:
Core Functionalities
All the solutions I included on my list will help you calculate and file your business taxes. To achieve that, here are the core functionalities I initially checked for:
- Tax calculations: The software should help you calculate your income and expenses
- Tax filing: The platform should enable you to file your tax forms with the state or federal authorities
If you're looking for software that can handle both taxes and payroll, you might be interested in our roundup of all-in-one payroll software platforms that offer robust tax features
Key Features
Business tax software offers a lot of different features, but the following ones are crucial:
- Accuracy guarantee: Top-rated solutions guarantee the accuracy of their filings, so they develop step-by-step guides so you can file your returns without errors
- Cloud-based access: Being able to access the tax software from anywhere, using any device, can make it easier to keep track of your business expenses
- Data imports: Filling up tax reports can be time-consuming, so solutions that automatically import and fill the tax information in for you can be huge time savers
Usability
While usability is important for every software, it’s especially important for tax prep software because the tax preparation process is complicated enough without adding a layer of technical difficulty. I only included tools that offered easy to use DIY (do-it-yourself) solutions on my list.
Expert Support
Even small tax errors can lead to severe penalties, so you should be able to receive expert help when needed. The tools I picked offer proper customer support.
Software Integrations
It’s essential to use a tool that communicates with other solutions in your app ecosystem, such as your payroll or invoicing tools so you won’t have to waste time entering that data manually. Integrations with expense reporting tools are also a welcome addition too.
Pricing
The pricing of business tax software varies wildly, but I picked solutions that charge you fairly based on what they offer.
People Also Ask
Want to find out more about business tax software? Here are some answers to common questions readers have on this topic.
What are the benefits of using business tax software?
Business tax software gives you peace of mind when filing your taxes by minimizing filing errors. These solutions also save you time when calculating your business expenses and can help you track your payroll costs and reduce your taxes.
What is the best tax software for a small business?
Finding the best small business tax software for you depends on your specific needs and preferences. Here are some factors you should take into consideration:
- Yearly cost: Make sure that the software’s cost fits your budget. Keep in mind to add the state filing fees to the overall cost as well.
- Features and functionality: Not all business software is created equal. Look for solutions that match your preferences, such as those offering support for different business structures, forms, schedules, small business payroll management, and tax scenarios.
- Ease of use: The software’s user interface, such as navigation, design, and help options can have a significant impact on how easy it will be to use it.
- Customer support: Make sure that the provider offers good customer service and technical support, such as phone, chat, email, or in-person assistance.
- Software integrations: Tools that offer native integrations with other solutions you use frequently, such as your payroll management tool, your enterprise resource planning (ERP) software, and so on, can help you save time when calculating your taxes.
What type of business expenses should I be tracking as a sole proprietor?
As a sole proprietor, you can deduct many ordinary and necessary expenses that you incur in running your business. Here are some common types of business expenses you should be tracking:
- Office expenses: Such as rent, utilities, supplies, postage, furniture, equipment, and maintenance
- Travel expenses: May include airfare, lodging, meals, car rental, mileage, tolls, and parking
- Entertainment expenses: May include meals and event tickets for clients
- Advertising and marketing expenses: Such as websites, social media and online advertising, or offline advertising
- Professional fees and services expenses: Whenever you pay for accounting, legal, consulting, and outsourcing fees
- Insurance expenses: Typical insurance costs include liability, property, health, and disability insurance premiums
- Taxes and license expenses: May include your income tax, self-employment tax, sales tax, property tax, and business licenses
- Education expenses: Such as tuition, books, fees, supplies, and courses or seminars that improve your skills or knowledge in your field
Other Finance Software Reviews
Interested in managing your organization’s finances? Here are some other valuable resources from People Managing People you may be interested in:
- Payroll Software
- Payroll Companies to Run Your Payroll Process
- Payroll Software for Small Businesses
- Payroll Services for Small Businesses
- Free Payroll Software for Tight Budgets
Final Thoughts
Filing your taxes accurately and on time can mean the difference between a good business year and a lousy one. As Nellie Akalp, CEO and founder of CorpNet, said:
”Filing your business taxes on time is not only a legal obligation, but also a smart financial move. It can help you avoid penalties, interest, and audits, as well as take advantage of deductions, credits, and refunds that can lower your tax bill and boost your cash flow.”
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