How Much Is TurboTax for LLC? Your Straightforward Guide to Costs

Ever noticed how LLC tax filing feels like you're signing up for a streaming service, but you never know what you'll actually pay until the bill hits your inbox? TurboTax likes to advertise easy “starting at” prices, but once you add your actual business needs, the cost climbs fast.

For LLCs, TurboTax usually recommends their Self-Employed plan. Right now (as of May 2025), the online Self-Employed package runs about $129 for federal returns. Need to file state taxes? Add another $59 per state. If you want extra support—maybe a real tax pro double-checking your numbers—the Live Assisted or Full Service upgrades can push your bill up to $389 or more. That’s for just one business return, and the upgrades aren’t always obvious until you’re halfway done entering your details.

And here’s a curveball: multi-member LLCs (the ones taxed as partnerships) can only file using TurboTax Business, not the personal versions. That’s a desktop-only software, not web-based, and it costs around $180 up front—plus you need a Windows PC, since there’s still no Mac version after all these years.

• TurboTax Pricing for LLCs: What You Really Pay
• Choosing the Right TurboTax Plan for Your LLC
• Surprising Fees and How to Dodge Them
• Tricks to Save Time and Money on Business Taxes

TurboTax Pricing for LLCs: What You Really Pay

The cost of using TurboTax for an LLC depends a lot on how your business is set up and how you want to file. Let's cut through the salesy ads and look at the real costs you'll probably see at checkout.

If you run a single-member LLC, TurboTax will steer you toward their Self-Employed online plan. As of May 2025, here’s what you’ll pay:

That means if your LLC is just you (single-member), your minimum is $129 for the federal part, but most people need to add a state, so you’re up to $188 for DIY. If you want a real CPA to review your return via Live Assisted, the price will jump to about $258 total. Full Service, which is where you just upload your docs and let them do everything, usually pushes you over $389.

Multi-member LLCs have it a bit tougher: TurboTax Business desktop software is the only choice, and it runs $180 up front. That includes the federal partnership return (Form 1065), but you’ll pay $60 for each state return. Plus, this only works on Windows PCs—no web version, no Mac option. File-sharing is limited, so don’t expect cloud convenience here.

The big keyword you’re probably looking for is TurboTax. Turns out, TurboTax’s pricing isn’t as “starting at…” as their ads show. Real totals can go way past $200 for everyday LLC owners. And if you need extra forms, like K-1s for partners, the software handles it, but desktop upgrades for multi-member businesses aren’t “optional”—they’re required.

Watch for these extra costs that catch people off guard:

• State filings: almost always extra, $59–$60 each
• Upgrade for expert help: can double the cost
• E-filing fees for business returns on desktop: $25 per state (sometimes snuck in at the end)

Don’t trust the teaser prices. Before you get too deep, check exactly which version you need, whether you’ll need extra state filings, and if help from a CPA is worth the upcharge for your situation. These numbers change every year, so always check the site for the latest—TurboTax tweaks prices every January.

Choosing the Right TurboTax Plan for Your LLC

Picking the best TurboTax plan comes down to how your LLC is set up. Here’s what matters: is your LLC just you (single-member), or do you have partners (multi-member)? TurboTax splits their offers based on this. Mess this up, and you’ll either overpay or end up with a mess at tax time.

If you’re a single-member LLC, the IRS treats you like a sole proprietor. The online TurboTax Self-Employed plan is what you want. It covers business income, home office deductions, contractors, freelance jobs—pretty much anything a solo owner faces. You fill out everything online, and it walks you through your Schedule C from start to finish. It also searches for industry-specific deductions, which saves money if you know what to look for.

Now, if your LLC has two or more members, it gets trickier. You’ll file a partnership tax return, which means you need TurboTax Business (not the TurboTax Self-Employed one). TurboTax Business is a one-time purchase and only works on Windows. There’s no online version, so Mac users are out of luck. This version lets you file Form 1065 and sends out K-1 statements to everyone in the LLC. If you miss this, the IRS automatically fines you, so don’t risk it.

Here’s a quick look at the main options and when to use each one:

If you don’t fit the basic categories—like if your LLC elects S corp status—TurboTax Business is the only option with those forms, too. Always double check the forms your LLC needs before picking a plan. It’s easy to pick the cheapest option, but if you buy the wrong one, TurboTax won’t let you upgrade in the middle of filing. That means you’d need to start all over again with the right version. Nobody wants that on a deadline.

One last tip: check if you qualify for free help using TurboTax’s Live Assisted version. It’s pricier, but sometimes self-employed folks get deals near tax day. Look for promo codes—big banks sometimes offer discounts if you have a business checking account.

Surprising Fees and How to Dodge Them

This is where TurboTax can catch you off guard. You might start out thinking you'll only pay the headline price, but the extras come quick. Here’s what you need to watch for.

• State filing costs: TurboTax charges about $59 extra for every state return. If your LLC operates in more than one state, each one adds up.
• Live Help fees: If you get stuck and decide “let’s chat with an expert,” the price can jump anywhere from $70 to over $250 just by choosing Live Assisted or Full Service options. Sometimes you won't know the final price until the end.
• Extra forms: Certain schedules and business deductions are locked behind upgrades, especially if you start with the Self-Employed plan and realize you need more detailed forms.
• E-filing for TurboTax Business (the desktop version): Oddly, filing your federal return online is included, but every state e-file costs another $25. Otherwise, you have to print and mail it in.
• Bank products: Things like refund advances or paying your TurboTax fee from your refund sound convenient, but banks take a cut—usually $40 or more, just for the “convenience.”

Now, how do you avoid these charges? Here’s what actually works:

• Double-check what features you need before you pay. Sometimes the basic Self-Employed or Business plan covers your situation, and you don’t have to upgrade if you only have simple needs.
• If you can, skip Live Assisted unless you're really lost. There’s plenty of free IRS guidance online for basic LLC questions.
• Always file your state return yourself on your state’s tax site if possible. It can save you that $59 fee, especially if your return is simple.
• For the desktop version, print and mail your state return. You keep the $25-per-state e-file fee in your pocket and, honestly, most state returns aren’t hard if you follow the steps carefully.
• Don’t use pay-by-refund. Just pay TurboTax with a debit or credit card up front, because that $40 “processing” fee adds no value at all.

Keeping an eye on these fees can keep your tax bill from ballooning. A little planning and patience can go a long way with TurboTax for LLCs.

Tricks to Save Time and Money on Business Taxes

Rushing through your LLC tax filing last minute never saves you cash—actually, it’s the opposite. You’ll end up missing deductions or paying for costly upgrades you may not need. Here’s how to handle it smarter and keep more dollars in your pocket.

• TurboTax lets you import your bank statements and QuickBooks data. Linking these can cut your input time in half and lower errors that could lead to IRS headaches later.
• Keep all your deductible receipts organized by month in a separate cloud folder or app like Expensify or even Google Drive. When you file, upload these right into TurboTax instead of digging through shoe boxes.
• If you operated at a loss last year, don’t skip entering it. TurboTax can automatically generate Net Operating Loss carryforwards, which let you lower next year’s taxes. This move alone can save up to thousands over a couple years.
• Always check for available credits like the Qualified Business Income (QBI) deduction, worth up to 20% of your taxable business income. Not everyone qualifies, so use TurboTax’s built-in eligibility checker before you submit.
• If you run multiple LLCs, file them in one sitting so you don’t pay for support services multiple times—TurboTax’s desktop version covers unlimited LLC returns for one price, while online you’ll pay for each return.

Here’s a quick look at what you could be saving by skipping extras and staying organized:

The key? Don’t wait until the last week of March. Carve out a couple of hours in February, keep digital records, and use TurboTax’s built-in checklists. You’ll feel way less stressed—and you’ll probably owe the IRS less, too.