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Every business dreads tax season, but it doesn't have to be so scary.
Corporate taxes are complicated, with strict rules and potential penalties for mistakes. That's why most companies hire tax professionals. But smaller C corporations with simple financial structures might not need the same level of expert help as larger, more complex businesses.
Handling taxes in-house can save you money, but it's not always as easy or fast. Corporate tax software can help, but unfortunately, most options come with hefty price tags.
Free tax filing software offers an attractive alternative. It can speed up the tax preparation process, reduce costs, and potentially identify savings opportunities. Many of these tools come with an intuitive interface, so you can do everything yourself!
We've compiled a list of the top seven free tax-filing platforms, reviewed their features, and analyzed G2 user feedback to help you make the best choice.
At G2, we rank software solutions using a proprietary algorithm that considers customer satisfaction and market presence based on authentic user reviews. Our market research analysts and writers spend weeks testing solutions against multiple criteria set for a software category. We give you unbiased software evaluations – that's the G2 difference! We didn’t accept payment or exchange links for product placements in this list. Please read our G2 Research Scoring Methodology for more details.
The free tax filing software list below shows you real user reviews from the best corporate tax software category page. Please note that within the context of this list, software that requires payment after a free trial is considered free.
To be included in this category, a solution must:
This data was pulled from G2 in 2024. Some reviews may have been edited for clarity.
ProConnect Tax, a tax preparation software designed for accountants and tax professionals, offers a suite of tools for efficient tax return preparation, review, and e-filing. This powerful, browser-based solution automates compliance work and helps you prepare returns of any complexity level. With unlimited users included, your staff can work collaboratively in real time no matter where they are.
Pros of ProConnect Tax |
Cons of ProConnect Tax |
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Strong focus on professional tax preparation workflows |
Steep learning curve for advanced features |
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Extensive library of tax forms and publications |
Complex user interface |
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Strong integration capabilities for data transfer |
Reliance on Intuit products for full functionality |
“ProConnect Tax is cloud-based, allowing easy remote information sharing. The software is user-friendly and ideal for a boutique tax practice. Its planning tool is simple to use with clients and integrates seamlessly with my practice. Additionally, the software helps with accurate income tax return reviews and comparisons across years, ensuring trust in the information presented.”
- ProConnect Tax Review, Diane N.
“While I appreciate the many features ProConnect Tax offers, one area for improvement is updating shareholder information, which doesn't automatically reflect in the K-1 and requires an additional step. I hope future updates will align its line numbers with IRS tax forms for both individual and business filings, offering consistency and ease of use.”
- ProConnect Tax Review, Amir N.
Avalara is a sales tax compliance solution that automates sales tax calculation, filing, and reporting to help businesses ensure accuracy and avoid penalties. It integrates with various e-commerce platforms and accounting tools.
Pros of Avalara |
Cons of Avalara |
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Automates sales tax calculations and filings |
Primarily focused on sales tax, may not cover other tax types |
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Strong integration capabilities with accounting tools |
Reliance on accurate product classification for correct tax calculation |
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Real-time tax rate lookup and calculation |
Potential additional fees for specific features or integrations |
“Automatically filing sales tax reports in 29 states with Avalara has significantly saved me time and reduced anxiety about timely submissions. The integration with SaaSOptics (Maxio) further streamlines reporting between billing and filing, enhancing efficiency.”
- Avalara Review, Mindy D.
“Avalara's support is terrible, with poor documentation and frequent backend issues that disrupt sales, like incorrect country recognition. Pricing is opaque and exorbitant. Despite trying to switch to other software when we moved to Odoo, Avalara was the only option that met our requirements, leaving us stuck with its poor customer service, bugs, and high costs.”
- Avalara Review, Russell B.
Tax professionals use ProSeries Tax . for its comprehensive toolset for individual, business, and corporate tax returns. With features like tax research, document management, and e-filing, ProSeries Tax supports efficient and accurate tax compliance.
Pros of ProSeries Tax |
Cons of ProSeries Tax |
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Comprehensive tax preparation software for various tax returns |
Steep learning curve for new users |
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Strong focus on efficiency and productivity |
Primarily designed for tax professionals, might be overwhelming for individual users |
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Strong integration capabilities with other professional tax tools |
Paid plan at higher cost compared to other options |
“The software offers numerous helpful features and is not overly confusing. I particularly appreciate the ability to create custom home base views and the integration with DocuSign, which allows for electronic signatures and eliminates the need to send out paper e-files and wait for signatures before filing.”
- ProSeries Tax Review, Kaile B.
“I would love to see a cloud-based version that rivals the convenience of the desktop version. The current cloud offering is limited, with only a single page and tabs, whereas having more pages or a more robust interface would significantly enhance its usability.”
- ProSeries Tax Review, Donna S.
Tax jar is a corporate tax software that automates sales tax calculations, reporting, and filing, particularly for e-commerce businesses. It integrates seamlessly with popular platforms like Shopify and Amazon, ensuring real-time tax calculations at checkout. TaxJar provides detailed reports on sales tax collected and owed, helping businesses stay compliant with state-specific tax laws.
Pros of Tax Jar |
Cons of Tax Jar |
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Streamlines sales tax calculations and filings |
Primarily focuses on sales tax, which may not address other tax needs |
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Integrates with major e-commerce platforms |
New users may face a learning curve when setting up and navigating the software |
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Provides detailed reports on sales tax collected, owed, and remitted |
Incorrect product categorization, may lead to inaccurate tax calculations |
"The interface is easy to use and straightforward, making navigation simple. The sales tax reports offer the essential information needed for filing state reports, all in one place. It clearly indicates which states are marketplace states and which are not, helping you stay organized. Plus, you can automate the filing process and let TaxJar handle submissions to the state for you."
-Tax Jar Review, Justin M.
"Filing in multiple states can quickly become costly, and we've encountered some calculation errors that led to penalties. Additionally, the support experience has been lacking, with response times to our inquiries—particularly regarding Nexus determinations—often taking longer than we'd prefer."
-Tax Jar Review, Marc B.
Known for its flexibility and customization options, Lacerte Tax caters to tax professionals who handle a variety of clients, from individuals to corporations. It offers advanced features such as tax planning, research, and integration with other accounting software.
Pros of Lacerte Tax |
Cons of Lacerte Tax |
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Powerful tax calculation engine for accurate results |
Requires advanced tax knowledge to fully utilize its capabilities |
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Extensive research tools for complex tax situations |
Steep learning curve |
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Flexibility to customize workflows and forms |
Potentially higher cost compared to other options |
“Lacerte is very user-friendly, with standout features like the "’ ump to line’ function, which allows you to quickly locate where to enter values on the input sheet by right-clicking on the output forms. Additionally, its checkmark tool helps you track reconciled numbers, making reviews efficient and ensuring you always know your progress. Customizing footnotes is also simple. Lacerte is notably attentive to updating its software to reflect the latest tax law changes, more so than other tax preparation software.”
- Lacerte Tax Review, Nathalie M.
“The cost of Lacerte is quite high and increases annually, with representative charges for each return being excessively steep. Support is frustratingly slow for the price, often involving hold times of at least 30 minutes for basic inquiries. Additionally, the update process has been problematic for several years across multiple computers, usually requiring multiple attempts to succeed, and support has been ineffective in resolving these issues.”
- Lacerte Tax Review, Russell B.
Trolley offers a simplified approach to tax filing, guiding small businesses and freelancers with clear explanations. Trolley focuses on ease of use and affordability to promote accessibility for those without accounting expertise.
Pros of Trolley |
Cons of Trolley |
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Simplified tax preparation process for small businesses |
Limited features compared to professional-grade tax software |
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Guides users through the process with minimal complexity |
Might not handle complex tax filings and tax refunds |
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Intuitive design for easy navigation |
Potential restrictions on supported tax forms |
“The team behind the product is fantastic, demonstrating genuine care and building a strong partnership with us rather than treating us as just another client. The user interface is easy to use, and the white-labeled widget seamlessly integrates into our product. This integration has simplified our architecture, streamlined payouts, and created a universal experience. We see further opportunities to deepen our use of the product and have them address more of our needs.”
- Trolley Review, Matt W.
“You can't pull funds directly from your account; instead, you must first transfer funds in, which introduces a delay due to the manual processing involved.”
- Trolley Review, Katherine L.
Small businesses and self-employed individuals appreciate TurboTax Business for its step-by-step guidance through the tax preparation process, which helps them maximize deductions and credits. Its intuitive interface simplifies tax filing for those without extensive accounting knowledge.
Pros of TurboTax Business |
Cons of TurboTax Business |
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Step-by-step guidance through the tax preparation process |
Limited support for specialized deductions and credits |
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User-friendly interface |
Potential upselling |
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Integration with QuickBooks for efficient data transfer |
Only available as desktop software |
“I've been using TurboTax for about seven years, and it consistently makes tax preparation simple and accurate. I've never been audited (knock knock), and it helps me stay prepared for the following year. While I haven't needed to pay for live help, the email support has always been excellent, especially since my tax situations are fairly straightforward.”
- TurboTax Business Review, Joe M.
“The software does not support e-filing for Forms 940, Form 941, or any state payroll tax forms.”
- TurboTax Business Review, Larry S.
If you feel overwhelmed by the wealth of information about free tax filing software, this comparison table will help you with the most important aspects:
|
Software |
G2 rating |
Free plan |
Paid plan |
|
ProConnect Tax |
4.5/5 |
Free trial available |
Quote available on request |
|
Avalara |
3.9/5 |
Free trial available |
Quote available on request |
|
ProSeries Tax |
4.2/5 |
Free trial available |
Starting at $409 per year |
| Tax Jar | 4.7/5 | Free trial available | Available on request |
|
Lacerte Tax |
4.2/5 |
Free trial available |
Starting at $479.00 per year |
|
Trolley |
4.7/5 |
Free trial available |
Starting at $49 per month |
|
TurboTax Business |
4.4/5 |
Free trial available |
Starting at $739 one-time fee |
Free tax filing software should offer basic form completion, import capabilities for W-2s and 1099s, clear instructions, and error checks. Additional features like deduction finders, audit support, and free state filing can be valuable.
Free tax filing software often has income limitations and might not support complex tax situations like business deductions, rental property income, or certain credits. Customer support options may also be restricted.
Free tax software is typically suitable for small businesses, freelancers, and self-employed individuals with straightforward tax situations. Businesses with more complex tax needs can explore paid corporate tax solutions.
When deciding, consider your tax situation, income level, and the software's ease of use. Compare features, read reviews, and check for IRS Free File certification to verify reliability.
Yes, reputable free tax filing software providers prioritize data security. Look for software with encryption and security certifications. However, always be cautious about sharing personal information online.
Tax season doesn't have to vex your small C corporation. Free tax filing tools can simplify your preparation. By exploring our top 7 free tax filing software options, you're taking a proactive step toward a smoother, more cost-effective tax season.
Explore the best accounting software and improve your financial workflows in 2025.
Edited by Aisha West
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