TurboTax Home & Business vs Business (Desktop): Personal vs Entity Returns
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This is one of the most misunderstood comparisons, because the names sound so similar but the products are completely different. Home & Business is a personal tax return that includes Schedule C for sole proprietors and freelancers. TurboTax Business is a separate product for filing entity returns, like corporations, S-corps, and partnerships, and it does not prepare your personal 1040.
So here's the quick takeaway: if you run an LLC taxed as a sole proprietor, you likely want Home & Business. If your business is a corporation, S-corp, or multi-member partnership that files its own return, you need TurboTax Business, which is Windows-only. Prices are approximate, so confirm them on the official TurboTax site.
Side-by-side comparison
| Feature | TurboTax Home & Business (Desktop) | TurboTax Business (Desktop) |
|---|---|---|
| Return type | Personal 1040 with Schedule C | Entity returns (1120, 1120-S, 1065) |
| Prepares your personal 1040 | Yes | No |
| Sole proprietor / single-member LLC | Yes | Generally use Home & Business |
| C-corp (1120) | No | Yes |
| S-corp (1120-S) | No | Yes |
| Partnership / multi-member LLC (1065) | No | Yes |
| Generates K-1s for owners | No | Yes |
| Platform | Windows & Mac | Windows only |
| Best for | Freelancers & sole proprietors | Corporations & partnerships |
Choose Home & Business if…
- You're a freelancer, contractor, or sole proprietor reporting business income on Schedule C.
- Your business is a single-member LLC that flows onto your personal return.
- You want to file your personal 1040 and your business in one product.
- You also have personal income, deductions, investments, or rentals to report.
Choose Business if…
- Your business is a corporation, S-corp, or multi-member partnership that files its own return.
- You need to file Form 1120, 1120-S, or 1065.
- You need to generate K-1 forms for partners or shareholders.
- You use Windows, since the Business edition is Windows-only.
Our verdict
These two really aren't interchangeable. Home & Business handles your personal return plus sole-proprietor business income on Schedule C. TurboTax Business prepares separate entity returns for corporations, S-corps, and partnerships, and it doesn't touch your 1040. Many S-corp and partnership owners actually need both: Business for the entity return, and a personal edition for their own 1040.
Frequently asked questions
I have an LLC. Which one do I need?＋
It depends on how your LLC is taxed. A single-member LLC usually reports on Schedule C, so Home & Business fits. A multi-member LLC files a 1065 partnership return, which requires TurboTax Business.
Does TurboTax Business file my personal taxes too?＋
No. TurboTax Business only prepares entity returns. You'll still need a personal edition like Home & Business or Premium to file your own 1040.
Can I run TurboTax Business on a Mac?＋
No. TurboTax Business is Windows-only. Mac users who need to file an entity return often use a Windows machine or a virtual environment to get it done.
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