How to file your self-employed tax return

New to filing a self-employed tax return? The first step is deciding how you’re going to file. You have a few options, that come at various price points. In this article, I’ll walk you through those options.

Hire someone to help

Taxes can be daunting if you don’t understand them. Having an actual person to talk to, guide you, and let you ask questions can be a great relief. That’s why many people hire a tax professional like a certified public accountant (CPA) to help with their taxes.

To find a tax professional, first ask the people you know if they have an accountant that they like. You can also try an internet search for accountants in your area and find reviews of their services. Talk with the tax professional before hiring them. Tell them about what you do, how you earn income, and ask if they can help with your particular tax return.

The cost for an accountant to file your taxes varies greatly, from a few hundred dollars to a several thousand if you have a complicated tax situation. The price, in my opinion, is not a reflection of how helpful these people will be. I've seen great and not so great tax accountants at all price points. To choose, find someone you trust and ask about their fees up front so you can make sure their services make financial sense for you.

You can also look into national tax preparation services like H&R Block or Liberty Tax. They have offices all over the U.S. as well as online services. They are often more affordable than individual accountants or small accounting firms. I know plenty of people who are very satisfied with their services.

File taxes yourself with the help of software

Another option is to use one of the many online services, like Turbotax or Taxact, that walk you through filing your tax return yourself.  These services have become very user friendly. They ask you questions about your individual tax situation, complete your tax return based on your answers, and e-file your return.

Their prices are usually very cost-effective, ranging from around $25 to a few hundred based on the level of service you use, and how many sections are needed for your tax return. You can usually pay an additional fee to get some human help if you're nervous or stuck.

I personally used Turbotax to file my own taxes for 15 years, until my tax situation got more complex. Then I hired my own advanced tax pro.

(Tip: Remember, being self-employed and paying for help filing your taxes is a cost of doing business. The cost of filing your taxes is a business expense that you can write off.)

File them yourself

There is always the good old-fashioned do-it-yourself option for filing taxes. You can file your tax forms directly through the IRS’s site. And there is good news if you make less than a total of $73,000 for the year (including all sources of income, plus your spouse’s if filing jointly). The IRS actually helps you file for free with a guided tax preparation service.

If you make more than that, you won’t get much help unfortunately. You can use the IRS site, but you’ll need to have some basic knowledge of taxes and the forms you’ll need. (You’ll file Form 1040, and if you’re self-employed you’ll also have a Schedule C.) You’ll also need need patience as you navigate the IRS’s stacks of instructions. You may struggle with this option if you don’t understand tax basics and are intimidated by blocks of instructions. But if you want to save money, have patience, and are willing to learn, this is a fine option for tax filing.

Other assistance

You can sometimes get help filing your tax return for free in other ways. Certain programs or companies provide this service for individuals who may struggle getting the forms filed. Try searching the internet for “free tax filing in (your city or state)” and see what comes up.

Now that you know your options, you can make the choice that’s right for you. The next step is to get ready to file your return, either with help, or by yourself. If you need help preparing and organizing for tax time, check out this tax time check list.

If you want to learn more about self-employment taxes, what you’ll have to pay and why, consider my Demystify Your Taxes tiny course.