How H&R Block Helps Freelancers and Gig Workers Stay Ahead of Tax Season

There are many benefits to self-employment, but it can make tax season tricky. As a self-employed person, no employer withholds taxes from your pay each pay period, and you are responsible for tracking your income and determining your deductible expenses, which can vary widely depending on your industry and other factors. You must also calculate your estimated quarterly federal and state tax payments, including self-employment tax.

Add to that the tax rules that can change from year to year, and it’s easy to understand why tax season can seem overwhelming for self-employed people. H&R Block provides options for freelancers and gig workers that need to be prepared for tax season all year long, not just when the filing deadline is approaching.

Tax filing tools designed for freelancers and gig workers

Finding the right tax filing solution is especially important for freelancers and gig workers whose income doesn’t fall neatly into a single category. H&R Block Self-Employed is designed to accommodate multiple sources of income in a single return, which can be useful for people paid by multiple employers, platforms or clients.

Whether you drive for Uber or juggle multiple independent clients, the software guides you through reporting your income for each source. It’s intuitive, easy to use, and up to date with the latest tax rules and regulations. For freelancers and gig workers who earn income through platforms like Uber, DoorDash or Instacart, H&R Block Self-Employed is designed to manage self-employment reporting in one place.

Simplify income tracking with 1099 import tools

One of the most tedious aspects of taxes for self-employed people is collecting and entering information from multiple 1099 forms. Not only is this process time-consuming, but manually entering this information increases the risk of errors.

This is why H&R Block Self-Employed allows users to import 1099s directly into their tax return, regardless of how they receive them. The platform offers smart import tools and PDF upload options for common standalone tax forms that give you options including:

• Directly download PDFs: If you receive a form such as a 1099-NEC in PDF format, the H&R Block platform extracts the information for you.
• Upload a photo via the H&R Block app: If you received printed copies of your forms, use the H&R Block app to take a photo and quickly import your form.

For freelancers who juggle income from multiple sources, this can save time and reduce stress during tax season. By inserting your income details directly into the return, you can move forward knowing your income is accurately accounted for.

Note that you are responsible for reporting all of your self-employment income, whether or not you receive a Form 1099, and H&R Block Self-Employed can also guide you in properly reporting without a form.

Find and claim the right deductions for your job

Freelancers and gig workers can deduct expenses related to their business, but it can be difficult to know which expenses qualify. In general, the IRS allows self-employed filers to deduct expenses considered “ordinary and necessary” for the work they perform. What falls into this category depends on how you earn your income.

What types of expenses can you deduct?

H&R Block Self-Employed guides freelancers through this process by asking them questions about their work and expenses and helping them determine what deductions might apply to their specific situation.

• Uber, Doordash and Instacart drivers: Rideshare and delivery drivers may be able to deduct mileage and certain vehicle-related expenses.
• Digital creators: Creators can deduct the cost of video equipment, lighting or editing software used in creating content.

Can you deduct home office expenses?

If you use part of your home regularly and exclusively for business purposes, you may be able to deduct home office expenses from your taxable income. With H&R Block Self-Employed, you don’t need to understand complex tax rules or calculate percentages, just answer a few simple questions to determine if and how much you can deduct home office expenses.

Support Options When Self-Employed Taxes Get Complicated

Even with the right software, filing your taxes as a self-employed person can be complicated, especially if you don’t know how to handle certain expenses, types of income, or deductions. This is where additional support options can make a big difference. H&R Block Self-Employed includes access to:

• AI tax assistance allows you to get instant answers to common questions such as which forms are required for your specific situation.
• Expert Discussion connects you to a live tax professional when you need advice but don’t want to trust someone else with your return entirely.

Instead of guessing, you can ask questions and get clarification as you file.

An Affordable Option for Self-Employed Taxes

When choosing tax software, freelancers often compare costs as well as features. And with H&R Block’s Maximum Money Back Guarantee, you have peace of mind knowing you’ll get every penny possible back. If you discover an error that entitles you to a larger refund or less liability, H&R Block will reimburse you for the fees you paid for your tax return preparation and allow you to amend that return at no additional cost.

Why H&R Block is the best tax filing option for freelancers and gig workers

Freelancers face unique tax challenges, from managing multiple income streams to identifying eligible deductions. That’s why many freelancers choose H&R Block, which offers the best tools and support for gig workers and full-time freelancers, including:

• Smart, easy-to-import tools for multiple sources of income, unlike main competitors
• Tips for Deducting Business Expenses for your type of work, from delivery and rideshare drivers to digital content creators to other types of freelancers
• Robust support with AI Assist and expert live chat to answer questions during your filing

Self-employment can make tax season stressful, but H&R Block Self-Employed gives you flexible, specialized tools that adapt to how you earn your income and support you throughout the process.