The Tax Consultant Cost For 1099 Workers in the USA is typically between $300 and more than $1,500 annual tax preparation, based on complicatedness. The freelance rates of CPA are between $500 and $1200. Tax advisors are charged at up to $100 to $400 per hour. Additional schedules ( Schedule C/E ), bookkeeping or high volume filing will raise the fees.
Average Tax Preparation Fees for 1099 Workers (2026 Estimates)
In 2026, tax preparation fees may change, and this is the case with 1099 workers according to the complexity of your tax situation and the provider. The following are some of the commonly used fee ranges:
Simple Individual Tax Preparation:
On simple returns the average price is between $220 and $323, when done by a professional. This is typically charged to returns which do not have self-employment income or business-expense deductions.
Self-Employed Tax Preparation:
The price may cost between $500-$1,200 to $1099 individuals who have business income. This scale indicates the extra effort, which includes reporting diverse sources of incomes, making business-related expenses, and dealing with self-employment taxing.
Complex Returns:
When there are several deductions, credits, or sources of income, e.g. rental properties or investment income, fees can go up and may take the amount of between $800 and more than $1000 depending on complexity.
Hourly Rates:
A common pricing approach used by most tax experts is charging by the hour, and the average fee charged to CPAs and experienced tax professionals is between $150 and $400+ an hour, depending on background and location.
These are broad estimations of 2026, and they may change depending on the region, qualification of tax professionals, and the complexity of your tax scenario.
Tax Consultant Cost for 1099 Workers in the USA
In the United States of America, 1099 workers, self-employed freelancers, or independent contractors need to hire a tax consultant to manage their taxes in the most appropriate way. The cost of tax consultant to freelancer or contractor is usually between $150 and $1,000 plus based on the complexity of your tax scenario.
In simple tax filing it may be as low as $150-$400 to file federal and state returns and calculate self-employment taxes. With several sources of income, expenses on business, or deductions, fees may rise to $400-$1,000. In more complicated situations like multi-state filing or tax audit, a higher price can be charged than $1,000.
The cost depends on a number of things, such as experience of the consultant and location, complexity of your tax case and any other services required such as the year-round support or tax planning.
To keep costs down, online tax software should be considered to do simpler returns or see if local tax clinics can do them cheaply. No matter what you choose, professional assistance will guarantee that your taxes are submitted properly, which reduces the chances of making mistakes and facing the punishment.
What Affects the Cost of Hiring a Tax Consultant for 1099 Workers?
1. Complexity of Tax Situation
The higher the financial position of a worker, the higher the cost. In case of the 1099 worker, which has several sources of income, considerable deductions, or investments, the tax consultant will have to invest more time and effort to make sure that everything is correctly considered.
2. Experience and Expertise of the Consultant
The more experienced and specialized tax consultant working with freelancers and independent contractors is likely to charge higher prices. CPAs or people with a good knowledge concerning tax of self employment might be more expensive, yet can offer good advice and be precise.
3. Location
Depending on the location, the price of a tax consultant may be different. The cost of living in bigger cities or towns with higher cost of living is such that consultants in the bigger cities may not be able to afford their services as compared to the smaller towns or rural areas.
4. Time of Year
During the hectic season of taxes (January to April), tax consultants can hike their fees when the tax deadline is near. Early booking can assist in being more cost effective since consultants might even provide cheaper rates before their diaries are filled up.
5. Service Provided
The cost is also dependent on the range of services being provided by the tax consultant. Filing of basic taxes might be cheaper and additional services such as tax planning, audit representation or business entity formation will increase the fee.
With these considerations in mind, 1099 workers can estimate more accurately the cost of a tax consultant hiring and plan accordingly so that they can be getting the best value on their tax preparation needs.
Complexity of Tax Filing for 1099 Workers
Freelancers and independent contractors usually have a more complicated tax filing circumstances than the traditional employee and it is likely to lead to increased cost of tax preparation. Moreover, tax filers in this group regularly are able to receive a range of deductions and credits, such as those on business costs and vehicle release, and home office utilization. The extra paperwork and the documentation involved to keep track of these deductions can make this process more time consuming and raise the expense of employing a professional tax consultant.
Location of the Tax Consultant
Hiring a tax consultant may be expensive depending on their locality. The larger cities or the high cost of living areas have tax professionals who might charge more as compared in the small towns or in the rural areas. You should also think of possible travel expenses in case the consultant has to visit your place to consult with you. Moreover, tax laws in certain states are different, and this could necessitate the use of specialists with experience in taxes at the local level, further affecting the prices. Thus to the extent that location-based pricing is necessary, it is important to include such pricing and add other costs during the budgeting of tax consultation services.
Type of Tax Consultant
Depending on the kind of professional one hires, the cost of consultation in taxation may vary largely. There are certified public accountants (CPAs), enrolled agents, and various types of tax advisors who provide different degrees of services at varying prices. CPAs, in their turn, usually offer more expensive services yet might offer more extensive and detailed services, such as tax planning, auditing, and financial counseling. It is important to strike a balance between cost and expertise by choosing the appropriate kind of consultant depending on what you need. To get to know better, have a look at our article on the topic of tax advisors, CPAs, and accountants in the United States.
Tax Advisor vs CPA vs Accountant: Key Differences & Comparisons (2026 Guide)
Average Tax Consultant Fees for 1099 Workers
The cost of employing a tax consultant to do 1099 employees is an average of $160 to $1000 depending on the specific case and the authority of the tax consultant.
Freelance Tax Filing Service Costs
In the case of an individual tax return, 1099 workers will pay between $200 and $400. Nevertheless, the cost can increase to 500 or above in case you have other deductions or business expenses in your tax filing. Complicacy of the scenario is an important factor in ascertaining the end price.
Self-Employed Tax Preparation Price Range
Independent contractors will pay between $250 and 600 dollars as taxes filing fees depending on the complexity of their tax returns. In case you have more than one stream of income, a business deduction, or other complicated things such as vehicle mileage deductions or home office deductions, then you have to pay towards the upper part of the spectrum.
How to Find Affordable Tax Consultants for 1099 Workers
Although tax filing is a costly affair that may be expensive to an employee working under 1099, it is possible to save money:
Look for Tax Consultants Specializing in Freelancers
There are tax consultants who serve independent workers, 1099 employees and freelancers. Having a specialist allows you to make sure that you are optimally saving on taxes without paying too much to get the service.
Use Online Tax Platforms
Tax services adapted to self-employed people and 1099 workers are available online in tax websites, including TurboTax and H&R Block. Smaller sites are usually cheaper than a regular tax consultant, yet offer professional advice and support to get through the paperwork. The latter is also provided in many platforms, which provide live support services, which allows you to access a professional when necessary, at a fraction of the cost.
Conclusion: Is Hiring a Tax Consultant for 1099 Workers Worth the Cost?
A tax consultant can be an excellent investment into your financial future. Although the fees of the tax filing services to the 1099 workers might seem expensive at first look, the possible savings in the form of tax deductions maximization and penalties can often justify the cost. You can make a wise choice concerning your tax filing requirements by identifying a low-cost tax practitioner who is sensitive to the special needs of self-employed persons, and by being familiar with the variables that determine the cost. Finally, you will get a consultant who will make sure you retain all the dollars you make and will not break the tax laws. Learn about our comprehensive outline of how to hire an award-winning tax advisor in the United States.
Frequently Asked Questions: Costs of Tax Consultant to 1099 Workers.
What is the price of a tax consultant to a 1099 worker?
The fees are usually between 200 and 600, although they may be more depending on your circumstances and the expertise of the consultant.
Am I eligible to complete my own tax filings as a 1099 employee?
A professional can get the maximum deductions and prevent errors when your case is complicated, whereas you can do so.
How much does tax filing cost freelancers?
Typically freelancers pay a range of 200 to 400 dollars to file, depending on the number of deductions and the costs of doing business.
Why does it increase the expense of hiring a tax consultant to 1099 workers?
It is dependent on complexity of your return, location of the consultant and special expertise.
Which is less expensive an online tax platform or a tax consultant?
Tax software online programs tend to be less expensive, however, an online tax consultant provides customized service, and it can be worth more money in more complex situations.
Am I entitled to tax deduction being a 1099 worker?
Yes, you can get deductions on business expenses, a home office and vehicle mileage, which may reduce your taxable income.
Where can I locate a cheap tax consultant on 1099 workers?
Find providers of self-employed tax services, shop around and save with online services.
Do we have freelancer and independent contractor tax consultants?
Yes, numerous specialists specialize in freelancers and contractors, and services are provided at a lower cost and are more specialized.