How much does it cost to file taxes when you're self-employed?
Short answer: at Evergreen, a self-employed return (Form 1040 with Schedule C and one state) starts at $625 for a simple service business. If you have a vehicle, a home office or some depreciation, it starts at $875. Bigger or more complicated businesses start at $1,175.
The price depends on your business, not on how much you made. Here's how it breaks down.
What goes into the price
Every individual return starts at $325 (federal plus one state). Schedule C, the form for self-employment income, adds to that based on how involved the business is:
| Your business | Schedule C adds | Total starts at |
|---|---|---|
| Simple: a service business under about $50,000 in revenue | $300 | $625 |
| Standard: under about $250,000, or a vehicle, home office or some depreciation | $550 | $875 |
| Complex: $250,000 or more, inventory, employees or a full asset schedule | $850 | $1,175 |
Other things that can add to it: a second Schedule C ($225), itemized deductions ($125), each extra state ($150), and returns for past years (each year is its own return). The full list is on our pricing page. Your final fee is confirmed in writing after we see your records and before any work starts, and a written quote is honored for 30 days.
The biggest thing that changes the price is the state of your records. If your income and expenses are in a spreadsheet, QuickBooks or a bookkeeping app, the return goes quickly. If they're in a shoebox or spread across bank statements, we'll quote the cleanup separately before we start. We never fold it into the return fee without asking.
What self-employed people get wrong most often
- Self-employment tax. On top of income tax, you pay 15.3% for Social Security and Medicare on 92.35% of your net self-employment earnings (IRC §1401). Half of it is deductible. This is usually the surprise the first year someone goes out on their own.
- Quarterly estimated payments. No employer is withholding for you, so the IRS expects payments in April, June, September and January. Skipping them adds an underpayment penalty (IRC §6654), even if you pay in full in April.
- Missed deductions. Business mileage, a home office used regularly and exclusively for work, software, phone and internet (the business share), supplies and health insurance premiums are the common ones. Each needs records behind it.
- The qualified business income deduction. Many self-employed people can deduct up to 20% of their business profit (IRC §199A). It has limits at higher incomes and for some professions, but most small service businesses qualify for at least part of it.
- 1099s that don't match. Platforms and clients send 1099-NEC and 1099-K forms to the IRS. Your reported income has to account for them, or you'll get a letter later.
How we work
- We're 100% remote. You upload records through our secure client portal, and we talk by phone or video.
- We prepare current-year and past-year returns, including people who are a few years behind.
- If you want help through the year, we also do monthly bookkeeping in QuickBooks Online, so tax time is just a review.
Shane Panas is a New York State registered tax return preparer, IRS PTIN holder and Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor (Level 2).
Book a free 15-minute fit call and we'll tell you what your return will cost before you commit to anything.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does it cost to have a self-employed tax return done?
- At Evergreen, a self-employed return with one state starts at $625 for a simple service business, $875 for a standard one (vehicle, home office or some depreciation), and $1,175 for larger businesses with inventory, employees or a full asset schedule.
- Do I have to pay quarterly taxes if I'm self-employed?
- Usually, yes. If you expect to owe $1,000 or more for the year, the IRS expects estimated payments in four installments. Missing them can add an underpayment penalty.
- What records do I need for a self-employed tax return?
- Your 1099-NEC and 1099-K forms, a total of your business income, your business expenses by category, business mileage, and the size of your home office if you use one. Bank and card statements help us fill gaps.
- Can you file self-employed returns for past years?
- Yes. We prepare past-year returns too. Each year is its own return, and we'll tell you which years you need before you start.
General information, not advice for your specific situation.