Quick Overview
- 1#1: Stessa - Automates bookkeeping, tracks rental income and expenses, and generates tax-ready profit and loss reports for property owners.
- 2#2: Landlord Studio - Provides mobile-first accounting for landlords with automated tax reports, mileage tracking, and Schedule E preparation.
- 3#3: REI Hub - Offers real estate-specific bookkeeping that categorizes transactions for easy tax filing and depreciation tracking.
- 4#4: Baselane - Delivers integrated banking, automated bookkeeping, and tax center with 1099 filings for rental properties.
- 5#5: TurboTax - Tax preparation software with dedicated rental property tools for Schedule E, deductions, and multi-property support.
- 6#6: QuickBooks Online - Comprehensive accounting platform that handles rental income, expenses, and customizable reports for tax season.
- 7#7: Buildium - Property management software with robust financial reporting, expense tracking, and tax document generation.
- 8#8: DoorLoop - All-in-one property management tool featuring accounting automation and detailed financial reports for taxes.
- 9#9: AppFolio - Cloud-based property management with advanced accounting and reporting capabilities for tax compliance.
- 10#10: Rentec Direct - Property management software including tenant accounting, expense tracking, and year-end tax reports.
Tools were selected and ranked based on key factors like automation capabilities, tax readiness (including Schedule E and deduction support), user-friendliness, and overall value, ensuring they address the critical demands of rental property ownership.
Comparison Table
Managing rental property taxes is simplified with specialized software, and this comparison table highlights top options like Stessa, Landlord Studio, REI Hub, Baselane, TurboTax, and more. It outlines key features, pricing models, and usability to help readers find the best fit for their rental tax management needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stessa Automates bookkeeping, tracks rental income and expenses, and generates tax-ready profit and loss reports for property owners. | specialized | 9.6/10 | 9.4/10 | 9.8/10 | 10/10 |
| 2 | Landlord Studio Provides mobile-first accounting for landlords with automated tax reports, mileage tracking, and Schedule E preparation. | specialized | 9.1/10 | 9.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.9/10 |
| 3 | REI Hub Offers real estate-specific bookkeeping that categorizes transactions for easy tax filing and depreciation tracking. | specialized | 8.5/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.2/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 4 | Baselane Delivers integrated banking, automated bookkeeping, and tax center with 1099 filings for rental properties. | specialized | 8.5/10 | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 5 | TurboTax Tax preparation software with dedicated rental property tools for Schedule E, deductions, and multi-property support. | other | 8.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 9.5/10 | 7.2/10 |
| 6 | QuickBooks Online Comprehensive accounting platform that handles rental income, expenses, and customizable reports for tax season. | enterprise | 7.1/10 | 6.8/10 | 7.0/10 | 6.5/10 |
| 7 | Buildium Property management software with robust financial reporting, expense tracking, and tax document generation. | enterprise | 7.8/10 | 7.5/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.0/10 |
| 8 | DoorLoop All-in-one property management tool featuring accounting automation and detailed financial reports for taxes. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 8.3/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 9 | AppFolio Cloud-based property management with advanced accounting and reporting capabilities for tax compliance. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.4/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 10 | Rentec Direct Property management software including tenant accounting, expense tracking, and year-end tax reports. | enterprise | 7.6/10 | 7.2/10 | 8.1/10 | 8.5/10 |
Automates bookkeeping, tracks rental income and expenses, and generates tax-ready profit and loss reports for property owners.
Provides mobile-first accounting for landlords with automated tax reports, mileage tracking, and Schedule E preparation.
Offers real estate-specific bookkeeping that categorizes transactions for easy tax filing and depreciation tracking.
Delivers integrated banking, automated bookkeeping, and tax center with 1099 filings for rental properties.
Tax preparation software with dedicated rental property tools for Schedule E, deductions, and multi-property support.
Comprehensive accounting platform that handles rental income, expenses, and customizable reports for tax season.
Property management software with robust financial reporting, expense tracking, and tax document generation.
All-in-one property management tool featuring accounting automation and detailed financial reports for taxes.
Cloud-based property management with advanced accounting and reporting capabilities for tax compliance.
Property management software including tenant accounting, expense tracking, and year-end tax reports.
Stessa
specializedAutomates bookkeeping, tracks rental income and expenses, and generates tax-ready profit and loss reports for property owners.
One-click Schedule E report generation from auto-synced bank data
Stessa is a free, cloud-based platform tailored for rental property investors to automate bookkeeping, track income and expenses, and generate tax-ready reports. It syncs directly with bank accounts and categorizes transactions for accurate financial insights across unlimited properties. Designed for U.S. landlords, it excels in producing Schedule E forms, profit/loss statements, and 1099s, integrating seamlessly with TurboTax and QuickBooks.
Pros
- Completely free for unlimited properties and core tax features
- Automated bank sync and transaction categorization for effortless bookkeeping
- Tax-ready reports including Schedule E and depreciation tracking
Cons
- Limited advanced accounting customization for complex portfolios
- Customer support primarily email-based without live chat
- U.S.-focused with less utility for international users
Best For
Small to mid-sized U.S. rental property investors needing a free, automated tool for tax prep and financial tracking.
Pricing
Free for all core features including unlimited properties; optional premium integrations may incur fees.
Landlord Studio
specializedProvides mobile-first accounting for landlords with automated tax reports, mileage tracking, and Schedule E preparation.
AI-driven receipt scanning and auto-categorization for instant tax-deductible expense logging
Landlord Studio is an all-in-one property management app tailored for landlords, with strong emphasis on rental accounting and tax preparation. It automates income and expense tracking, categorizes transactions for tax deductions, and generates essential reports like profit & loss statements and Schedule E forms for IRS filing. The platform syncs with bank accounts for real-time reconciliation and offers mobile receipt scanning to simplify expense logging.
Pros
- Automated bank sync and transaction categorization for effortless tax prep
- Comprehensive tax reports including Schedule E and 1099 generation
- Intuitive mobile app with receipt OCR for on-the-go expense tracking
Cons
- Limited advanced reporting for portfolios over 50 units
- Some integrations (e.g., full QuickBooks) require higher tiers
- Customer support primarily email-based with occasional delays
Best For
Small to mid-sized landlords who want seamless property management integrated with rental tax reporting.
Pricing
Free for up to 3 units; Pro plan $18/month (billed annually) for 1-24 units, $24/month for 25+ units; Enterprise custom pricing.
REI Hub
specializedOffers real estate-specific bookkeeping that categorizes transactions for easy tax filing and depreciation tracking.
AI-powered transaction categorization and one-click Schedule E generation from raw bank data
REI Hub is a specialized platform for real estate investors that automates bookkeeping, expense tracking, and tax preparation specifically for rental properties. It integrates with bank accounts, QuickBooks, Stessa, and other tools to categorize transactions, calculate depreciation, and generate accurate Schedule E tax reports compliant with IRS requirements. Additionally, it offers portfolio performance insights and multi-entity support, streamlining financial management for landlords.
Pros
- Powerful automation for Schedule E tax forms and depreciation schedules
- Seamless integrations with QuickBooks, Stessa, and bank feeds
- Multi-property and multi-entity support for scaling investors
Cons
- Higher pricing tiers may not suit very small portfolios
- Initial setup requires connecting multiple data sources
- Limited advanced customization for complex tax scenarios
Best For
Real estate investors with 5+ rental properties seeking automated tax reporting and bookkeeping integration.
Pricing
Starts at $29/month (Starter, billed annually) up to $149/month (Pro plan); custom enterprise pricing available.
Baselane
specializedDelivers integrated banking, automated bookkeeping, and tax center with 1099 filings for rental properties.
Fully integrated banking accounts that automatically sync and categorize transactions for instant tax-ready bookkeeping
Baselane is an all-in-one platform for rental property owners, combining banking services with automated bookkeeping and tax preparation tools tailored for real estate investors. It automatically categorizes rental income and expenses from linked bank accounts, generates profit and loss statements, and prepares IRS Schedule E reports along with 1099 filings. The software simplifies tax season by providing tax-ready financials and performance insights for property portfolios.
Pros
- Free core bookkeeping and tax reporting features
- Seamless integration of banking with automated transaction categorization
- User-friendly interface with mobile app support
Cons
- Limited advanced tax customization options compared to dedicated software
- Primarily focused on U.S. users and properties
- Fewer third-party integrations than some competitors
Best For
Small to mid-sized landlords and real estate investors looking for a free, integrated banking and tax solution for rental properties.
Pricing
Free for bookkeeping, tax tools, and basic banking; premium banking features with high-yield savings (up to 4.35% APY) and no monthly fees.
TurboTax
otherTax preparation software with dedicated rental property tools for Schedule E, deductions, and multi-property support.
Intelligent interview system that asks contextual questions to uncover rental deductions and ensure accuracy.
TurboTax is a leading general tax preparation software from Intuit that includes robust support for rental property owners via Schedule E forms for reporting income and expenses. It guides users through entering details on rent received, repairs, depreciation, mortgage interest, and other deductions using an intuitive interview-style process. While not exclusively designed for rental properties, it handles federal and state filings effectively for landlords with W-2 income or other investments alongside rentals.
Pros
- Step-by-step guidance simplifies complex Schedule E filings
- Integration with QuickBooks for expense imports
- Live expert support and audit defense available
Cons
- Expensive for rental-only users compared to specialized tools
- Limited automation for tracking multiple properties year-round
- Manual data entry required for most rental details
Best For
Landlords with 1-5 rental properties who prefer a user-friendly, guided tax filing experience integrated with personal finances.
Pricing
Premier edition for rentals starts at $89 federal + $49 per state; Home & Business at $119 federal + $49 state (prices vary with promotions).
QuickBooks Online
enterpriseComprehensive accounting platform that handles rental income, expenses, and customizable reports for tax season.
Class and location tracking for segregating finances across multiple rental properties
QuickBooks Online is a comprehensive cloud-based accounting platform that can be adapted for rental property management by tracking income, expenses, and generating financial reports suitable for tax preparation like Schedule E. It supports categorizing transactions for multiple properties using classes or locations and automates bank feeds for reconciliation. While not a dedicated rental tax tool, it provides robust bookkeeping that integrates with tax software for filing.
Pros
- Powerful transaction categorization and bank feed automation for accurate expense tracking
- Class and location tracking to manage multiple rental properties separately
- Detailed P&L reports and export options for easy tax preparation
Cons
- No built-in rental-specific features like rent rolls, tenant screening, or vacancy trackers
- Steep learning curve for users without accounting experience
- Relatively expensive for landlords focused solely on tax reporting
Best For
Landlords or property investors who need general accounting integration alongside rental income/expense tracking for taxes.
Pricing
Starts at $30/month (Simple Start), $90/month recommended (Plus) for multi-property tracking; annual discounts available.
Buildium
enterpriseProperty management software with robust financial reporting, expense tracking, and tax document generation.
One-click generation of IRS-ready 1099-MISC forms and customizable Schedule E reports from tracked rental data
Buildium is a full-featured property management software that includes robust accounting tools tailored for rental property owners, enabling tracking of income, expenses, and automated tax form generation. It supports key tax functionalities like creating Schedule E reports, 1099-MISC forms, and year-end summaries to simplify IRS compliance for landlords. While primarily a property management platform, its integrated tax features make it suitable for rental property tax preparation, especially for those managing multiple units.
Pros
- Automated 1099-MISC and Schedule E report generation for easy tax filing
- Seamless expense tracking and categorization directly tied to properties
- Integrates with QuickBooks and other accounting tools for advanced tax workflows
Cons
- Not a dedicated tax software, lacking advanced deductions optimization or multi-state tax nuances
- Pricing scales quickly for larger portfolios, less ideal for single-property owners
- Full tax features require higher-tier plans, adding to costs
Best For
Landlords and small property management companies handling 10-100 units who want integrated management and basic tax reporting in one platform.
Pricing
Starts at $58/month (Essential plan for up to 20 units), with Growth ($173/month for 21-50 units) and Premium ($387/month for 51+ units); annual discounts available.
DoorLoop
enterpriseAll-in-one property management tool featuring accounting automation and detailed financial reports for taxes.
One-click IRS Schedule E report generation pulling directly from categorized income and expenses
DoorLoop is an all-in-one property management software designed for landlords and property managers, with strong accounting features that support rental property tax preparation. It automates expense tracking, income categorization, and generates IRS-compliant reports like Schedule E for rental income and expenses. The platform also handles 1099 filings for tenants and vendors, integrating seamlessly with bank accounts for accurate financial data.
Pros
- Automated Schedule E and 1099 report generation
- Comprehensive expense tracking with tax categories
- Bank sync and real-time financial dashboards
Cons
- Pricing scales with portfolio size, expensive for large holdings
- Less specialized for complex tax scenarios compared to dedicated tools
- Full tax features require higher-tier plans
Best For
Small to mid-sized landlords and property managers needing integrated management and basic tax reporting without separate software.
Pricing
Starts at $59/month for up to 50 units (Essential plan); Pro at $99/month, Premium at $149/month; custom enterprise pricing.
AppFolio
enterpriseCloud-based property management with advanced accounting and reporting capabilities for tax compliance.
Automated 1099 preparation and e-filing directly within the platform
AppFolio is a comprehensive cloud-based property management software designed for rental property owners and managers, featuring integrated accounting tools that track income, expenses, and generate reports crucial for tax preparation. It automates rent collection, vendor payments, and financial reconciliations, making it easier to organize data for Schedule E filings and 1099 forms. While not a standalone tax solution, its robust bookkeeping capabilities support rental property tax compliance effectively.
Pros
- Integrated accounting with automated expense tracking and categorization for easy tax deductions
- Generates essential reports like profit/loss statements and 1099s for vendors
- Scalable platform with mobile access and tenant portals for streamlined operations
Cons
- Not specialized purely for advanced tax calculations or multi-state compliance
- High minimum fees make it less ideal for small portfolios under 200 units
- Steep initial setup and learning curve for non-accountants
Best For
Professional property managers and owners with moderate to large rental portfolios needing an all-in-one management tool with strong tax-reporting support.
Pricing
Core plan starts at $1.40 per unit per month (minimum $280/month for up to 200 units), with add-ons for advanced features.
Rentec Direct
enterpriseProperty management software including tenant accounting, expense tracking, and year-end tax reports.
Automated 1099-MISC generation and direct IRS e-filing from tracked vendor payments
Rentec Direct is an all-in-one property management platform designed for landlords and property managers, featuring integrated accounting tools that support rental property tax preparation. It tracks income and expenses across multiple properties, generates essential tax reports like profit/loss statements, Schedule E summaries, and 1099-MISC forms for contractors. While not a dedicated tax software, its seamless integration of daily operations into tax-ready reports simplifies year-end filing for rental owners.
Pros
- Integrated accounting tracks all rental income and expenses automatically
- Generates 1099-MISC forms and e-files with the IRS
- User-friendly interface with mobile app for on-the-go management
Cons
- Limited advanced tax features like automated depreciation schedules or tax optimization
- Primarily property management-focused, so tax tools feel secondary
- Pricing increases significantly with more units or advanced needs
Best For
Small to mid-sized landlords managing 10-50 units who need combined property management and basic tax reporting without separate software.
Pricing
Starts at $35/month for up to 10 units (Silver plan), $45/month for 25 units (Gold), and custom enterprise pricing; 14-day free trial available.
Conclusion
Among the reviewed tools, Stessa leads as the top choice, with its automated bookkeeping and tax-ready reports simplifying property management. Landlord Studio stands out as a mobile-first option, excelling in Schedule E preparation and mileage tracking, while REI Hub impresses with real estate-specific bookkeeping and depreciation management. Each tool offers distinct strengths, ensuring property owners can find the best fit for their unique needs.
Elevate your rental tax process by starting with Stessa—discover automated tracking, seamless reporting, and a stress-free tax season, so you can focus on growing your portfolio.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison
