TurboTax vs. Keeper Tax: The Best Tax App for Self-Employed
Tax season is right around the corner, and two applications are competing for a spot on your phone: TurboTax Self-Employed and Keeper Tax. One is a longtime heavyweight, while the other is a nimble newcomer focused on write-offs. In this article, we’ll compare them head-to-head on features, pricing, ease of use, and audit support to help you choose the best partner for your tax return.
Quick Profiles
TurboTax is Intuit’s flagship DIY tax software, boasting decades of updates and an extensive Q&A wizard. It integrates seamlessly with QuickBooks and offers an add-on live CPA help service.
Keeper Tax, on the other hand, features a mobile-first application that scans transactions throughout the year. It tags deductible expenses automatically and prepares and files federal and state returns within the same dashboard.
Setup and Onboarding
TurboTax starts with a 60-question interview covering income sources, 1099s, crypto, and home office deductions, making it ideal for beginners who may need guidance.
Conversely, Keeper Tax employs quick prompts, connects to your bank via Plaid, imports a month’s worth of statements, and highlights potential deductions within minutes—great for those who procrastinate.
Expense Tracking and Write-Offs
When it comes to expense tracking, Keeper Tax takes the lead. Users can swipe right to accept an expense and swipe left to reject it. The app also includes human bookkeepers for gray area questions and auto-fills your Schedule C as you categorize expenses.
TurboTax lacks year-round tracking, requiring you to upload QuickBooks data or manually enter totals at filing time. While it’s accurate, it demands more manual work.
Income Imports
TurboTax excels in importing income data, offering direct imports of 1099Ks from platforms like PayPal, Stripe, Etsy, and various brokerage APIs. In contrast, Keeper Tax requires users to upload PDFs of their 1099s or enter gross numbers manually, which can be cumbersome for freelancers with multiple income streams.
Pricing
Keeper Tax:
- Monthly subscription: ~$20
- Annual filing fee: $89 to $130 (includes state returns)
- Live CPA help: ~$40
TurboTax:
- Filing fee: ~$130 (federal), $60 (state)
- Live CPA help (TurboTax Live SE): ~$70 and up
Keeper Tax is cheaper during filing times, especially for multi-state returns, while TurboTax is free until March but increases in cost once you start your return.
Quarterly Estimates and Mileage Tracking
Keeper Tax conveniently shows upcoming due dates and amounts for quarterly estimates, with built-in GPS mileage tracking for auto-log trips. In contrast, TurboTax requires a separate subscription to QuickBooks Self-Employed or manual calculations to handle mileage.
Audit Support
TurboTax offers an optional tax audit defense plan for $60, which includes full representation if you purchase the add-on. Additionally, users have live video chat options with a CPA.
Keeper Tax provides chat-based CPA support and free audit guidance letters, although full representation costs around $37 extra. Phone calls are not available, leaving only chat and email support.
Security and Data Privacy
Both applications ensure data privacy with secure connections, 256-bit AES encryption, and multi-factor authentication. TurboTax stores data on Intuit servers in the U.S., while Keeper hosts on AWS without advertising.
Which Is Best For You?
Choose Keeper Tax if:
- You want automated year-round deduction scanning.
- Your income sources are mostly simple service invoices or a handful of 1099s.
- You value speed and a mobile-first workflow.
Go with TurboTax Self-Employed if:
- You need robust imports from multiple platforms, including brokerages or crypto exchanges.
- You prefer a detailed, step-by-step interview with on-screen explanations.
- You want optional live CPA screen-share support.
User Experience: Mobile vs. Desktop
Keeper Tax is unapologetically mobile-first, designed for easy thumb navigation, with features like push notifications and dark mode. The web dashboard mirrors the app for simplicity.
TurboTax, on the other hand, is a desktop powerhouse. The guided interview excels on larger screens, while the mobile app can become cumbersome for detailed sections.
Conclusion: Who Reigns Supreme?
For freelancers eager to maximize deductions with minimal effort, Keeper Tax is a sleek, affordable option. TurboTax Self-Employed, however, remains the versatile choice, especially for those dealing with complex income streams.
Whichever you choose, starting early, connecting your accounts, and keeping receipts will set you up for success this tax season. Don’t forget to smash that like button, subscribe for more self-employed finance tips, and drop a comment to show whether you’re Team TurboTax or Team Keeper!
