What tax software works best for a solo preparer looking to grow?

Seeking Advice
1

I’ve been managing personal tax returns on my own, but I’m thinking about expanding. I need tax software that’s affordable but can handle more as I grow. Any suggestions?

2

Drake

3

Devi said:
Drake

Customer service isn’t as great as it was before COVID, in my opinion.

4

Zan said:

Devi said:
Drake

Customer service isn’t as great as it was before COVID, in my opinion.

Yeah, I’m dealing with them now for the 2024 software. Still worth it for the savings though.

5

@Devi
It’s like a third of what UltraTax costs, so no big complaints here.

6

Zan said:
@Devi
It’s like a third of what UltraTax costs, so no big complaints here.

My old firm was paying way more than that—maybe 10x as much.

7

Devi said:
Drake

I’ve been using it since 2014. I handle 110 clients, mostly business taxes, and it works well for me.

8

Drake is affordable and scales well. It’s not the easiest to use, but it’s reliable. You can start with an intro package and pay per return after you hit the limit. If you reach the unlimited plan price, it automatically upgrades.

  • Use Google Workspace for email and maybe Sheets/Docs unless you’re set on Excel.
  • Google Voice is good for budget-friendly dedicated lines, or RingCentral if you need more features.
  • Hellofax works well for faxing.
  • IRS Logics is okay for document management, though it’s geared more towards tax resolution.
  • Tax Help Software is great for handling transcripts and generating reports.
9

@Rowan
I use RingCentral, and it has an e-fax feature that works well.

10

Drake!

11

Drake works well unless you’re dealing with complicated trusts or multi-state returns. Then it gets tricky.

12

Drake is the best value for what it offers. They have a pay-per-return version that switches to unlimited if you hit the full program cost.

It’s not as feature-packed as some higher-cost programs, which can be an issue when you’re racing against deadlines.

13

Definitely Drake. By the time you outgrow it, you’ll know what to use next.

14

I like OLT Pro.

15

Try ProSystems and pass the cost to clients.

16

Jaden said:
Try ProSystems and pass the cost to clients.

Lol, wait until they see that added fee!

17

Phoenix said:

Jaden said:
Try ProSystems and pass the cost to clients.

Lol, wait until they see that added fee!

Just bundle it in as a single line like ‘Tax Prep Computer Fee $250’ and most people won’t question it.

18

The small shop I work for uses TaxAct. It’s simple, and I like it.

19

Drake is solid, and I’d recommend ATOM for client management. It has everything: client portals, e-signatures, workflow tools, reminders, VOIP, and even birthday texts for clients. At $269 a month for unlimited users, it’s a great deal compared to others.

20

Did you search this forum? This topic has come up a few times in the last couple of months.