File every return type from one platform

Instead is one of the first companies in decades approved by the IRS to e-file individuals, C corps, S corps, partnerships, estates, and trusts. Prepare, review, and transmit—without switching software.

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Everything you need to manage tax workflows

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IRS-approved e-file

Direct transmission to the IRS for 1040, 1120, 1120s, 1065, and 1041 returns.

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Intelligent preparation

AI assists with form selection, calculations, and error checking before you file.

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Real-time status

Track acceptance, resolve rejections, and monitor refunds—all from one dashboard.

Every entity type. One login

Most tax software makes you buy separate products for individuals and businesses. Instead handles 1040, 1120, 1120s, 1065, and 1041 returns in a single platform. File for yourself and your business without switching tools.

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HRA transactions dashboard showing 28% tax savings with employee and employer contribution breakdowns totaling $3,486.

AI that catches errors before the IRS does

Instead reviews your return against IRS validation rules before transmission. Missing information, calculation errors, and common rejection triggers get flagged so you can fix them before you file—not after.

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Your tax strategies flow into filing

Strategies you've implemented automatically populate relevant forms. Documents you've uploaded feed into the return. Reports you've generated attach as supporting workpapers. Everything connects—so filing isn't starting from scratch.

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Know exactly where every return stands

See real-time status for every return you file. Instant alerts when the IRS accepts your submission. Clear next steps if there's a rejection. Refund tracking without logging into IRS.gov. All in one place.

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Everything you need to streamline e-filing

Whether you're filing for a sole proprietor, an S corp, or a trust, Instead handles it from start to submission.

Individual returns

Form 1040 and all schedules for individuals, sole proprietors, and rental owners.

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Business returns

1120, 1120-S, and 1065 for C corps, S corps, and partnerships.

Fiduciary returns

Form 1041 for estates and trusts.

Ready to get started?

Do it yourself, work with your accountant

Get onboarded and find savings in minutes

Integrated knowledge base every step of the way

Invite your tax professional to join Instead Pro

Automated tasks and reminders to meet deadlines

Access to customer support to help you realize savings

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Work with a tax advisor

Find a tax professional to find you tax strategies

Find someone near you or nationwide

Tax advice, strategy, planning, and implementation

Focus on single or multiple industries

Offering tax and a range of financial services

Find a tax advisor

Tax strategies to save every dollar you deserve

Instead helps you find every eligible tax strategy, from basic credits and deductions to complex scenarios, ensuring you maximize your savings.

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Tax loss harvesting

Transform investment losses into strategic tax advantages and optimize your portfolio's performance with AI-driven precision.

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Child traditional IRA

Open a Traditional IRA for children with earned income. Contribute up to $7,000 annually with full deduction, giving them decades to grow tax-free.

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Employee achievement awards

Award your team for service milestones and safety achievements while maximizing allowable deductions up to $1,600 per employee.

Doctor explaining qualified medical expenses for pre-tax savings and W-2 reporting.

Health reimbursement

Set aside money on a pre-tax basis to pay for qualified medical expenses to maximize tax savings opportunities.

Mom helps daughter bake cookies, showing $2,000 tax savings with tax forms 1040 and 8812.

Child & dependent tax credits

Claim up to $2,000 per child & $500 per other dependent. Automatically maximize your child and dependent-related tax credits.

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Health savings account

Set aside money on a pre-tax basis to pay for qualified medical expenses to maximize tax savings opportunities.

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Sell your home

Transform your home sale into a tax-saving opportunity.

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Employee achievement

Skill up your team, scale down your business expenses.

Military Veteran hiring approved with tax credit forms and a 46% savings increase from last year.

Work opportunity tax credit

Unlock tax savings for empowering your community through hiring.

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Oil & gas deduction

Drill into tax savings. Maximize deductions for both tangible and intangible drilling costs.

A woman and child reviewing W-2 tax forms for family business, showing 46% tax savings.

Hiring kids

Reduce taxable income & self-employment tax by hiring your kids.

Home office

Deduct qualified expenses for using your home for business purposes.

Meal expenses

Business can typically deduct 50% of meals associated with doing business with some cases allowing up to 100% deduction.

Travel expenses

Businesses can deduct necessary travel expenses, like airfare and lodging, directly related to operations for tax savings.

Vehicle expenses

Vehicle tax deduction allows deduction of business vehicle expenses, using a per-mile rate or actual costs, from taxable income.

Late S election

A Late S Election lets a corporation request IRS S corp status post-deadline.

Late C election

A Late C Election is a request to the IRS for C corporation status after the deadline.

Depreciation

Put your fixed assets to work for you by utilizing depreciation to find and compare tax savings in minutes.

R&D tax credit

Fuel your venture's growth and innovation with the R&D tax credit. Not just for tech firms or big corporations.

Clean vehicle

Businesses and Individuals can receive a tax credit for purchasing new eco-friendly vehicles. Individuals may also qualify on used eco-friendly vehicles.

Residential clean energy

Taxpayers who invest in renewable energy improvements for their home or second home may qualify for a credit to lower their income tax.

Augusta rule

The Augusta Rule lets homeowners rent their property tax-free for up to 14 days a year without reporting the income.

Roth 401k

Roth 401(k) lets employees and individuals make after-tax retirement contributions, offering tax-free growth and withdrawals.

Traditional 401k

Traditional 401(k) plans offer pre-tax retirement savings for employees, with companies reducing taxable income via contributions.