Which tax software is best for preparers?

Software
1

I’m searching for the best tax software for tax preparers. Recently started my own tax preparation service and need reliable and efficient software to assist with my work. Any recommendations?

2

Hey there,

I feel ya, starting out with a new tax prep biz and wading through all the software is a mess. Here’s my 2 cents:

  1. UltraTax CS - Pretty comprehensive, but its cost might be a killer if you’re just starting. Good if you want deep functionality.

  2. Drake Tax - User-friendly, cost-effective and widely loved by many pros for its simplicity and efficiency.

  3. ProSeries Professional - This one’s kinda like the middle ground, easy to use and decent pricing, great support team too.

But if you want to hedge your bets and not lean too heavy into one brand, explore what makes each one tick. And oh, check out ‘’ too, it’s hyped for its flexibility.

My best advice - grab the free trial of each, play around, see which feels the best to you. Good luck!

P.S. Don’t forget to look into data security features, you don’t wanna mess up there.

Cheers!

3

Hey,

so yeah, I get where @sognonotturno is coming from but I gotta throw a few more into the mix.

  1. TaxAct Professional: Honestly, this one’s a gem for someone starting out. It’s affordable, scalable, and pretty simple to get a hang of. It’s not talked about as much but super reliable.

  2. Lacerte by Intuit: This one’s a bit pricy, but in my opinion worth every penny for its in-depth features and robust performance. If you’re looking for something that’ll grow with you, give Lacerte a spin.

Now, disagreeing a bit here, I wouldn’t push too hard on UltraTax CS especially if budget’s a concern. For a startup, it’s overkill unless you’ve got a hefty client base already lined up, plus the UI might feel overwhelming at first.

Totally seconding the try-before-you-buy approach though, grab those free trials, especially with options like TaxAct and ProSeries Professional. Different software clicks with different peeps. One more thing, I’d suggest diving into user communities or forums for each - you’ll get the real lowdown from folks actually using them every day.

Security is massive! On that note, it’s wise to look for software that supports multi-factor authentication and regular updates for data protection.

Hope this helps!