Drake software

[taxitc]

Very satisfied Drake user.

5th year with Drake, and I like it better every year. The price is great and the customer service folks are very helpful.

I am in the 4th year with Drake. I was with my previous software firm for 21 years. I thought
he couldn't be beat. He retired and i was very concerned. Signed up with Drake and I couldn't be any happier. Best support I could hope for. I have friends here in Wichita, Ks. who feel the same.

[PIGLEE]

If I renew with TaxslayerPro before 4/31, It is $795 but no extras with that.
I would like the extra month to renew. Those of us who are a one man operation and have to do payroll reports by end of April appreciate not having to think about renewing our software for an extra month.

So it would be about $200 more. But I would have write up that could go directly to tax return. Is that correct?

I might consider it.

Linda

Linda, as soon as tax season is over, call Drake and they will send you their 2009 program, that will give you plenty of time to try it. You can redo some of your tax returns in it, and do all your extensions with it. You can also try their Write Up, and their Document Manager.

[powerage]

Not sure what your problem was, but Drake is one of only two products I know (there could be dozens) of which allows you to split a joint return and get two full separate returns all the way down to the state. Plus you don't have to re-enter all the information if you decide that MFS is the way to go.

In New York, where the principal savings often come from the state return, I have shown clients whose returns were done in other packages the previous year how much it cost them to have a preparer who only considers the federal tax implications of MFS.

The company I worked for tried out a version where all of the client files were stored online through Drake, at least that what I was told.

[S T]

Me too

I also looked and demo'd Drake back in 2000+ when I decided to make the change from Lacerte when Intuit took over. I didn't like the "DOS" mode and screens on Drake

So long story short went with another company which I am fine with except the price.

Drake is still around and apparently has become better and the price certainly seems right

However, after changes of Tax Software Cos in the past, a concern would be that they are still an "Family Owned Co" and somehow a "buyout or merger" will take place soon. No guarantees that Drake will not end up being part of Intuit, CCH, or one of the other "Big" Cos.

Bothers me with the posts on ATX, Intelli Tax, TRX, etc this last year or so.

Hmmm!

Sandy

[lenboush]

My experience with Drake

I bought a business in 2000 that was using Drake already and I hated Drake. That summer I reviewed at least 8 different software packages because I promised myself I would never use Drake again. The only packages I could find that I liked any better cost a lot more and I ran out of time to research further so I stuck with Drake for one more year.

Although Drake did get a little better that year, the next summer I promised myself I would find a better alternative so I researched more packages.

Well, here it is 2010 and I'm still with Drake. Somewhere along the line, as Drake continued to radically improve, and perhaps as I got used to the way they did things, I fell in love with Drake and went from becoming a hater to being one of their biggest fans. That certainly does not mean its perfect. No software package is. But I cannot imagine ever going to another software now.

For the record, here are some of the things I get all included in the $995 price:
1. The basic 1040 program
2. The entities program
3. All states for both 1040 and entities
4. A write-up program
5. A good Document Manager program
6. A good Client Management program
7. A good appointment scheduling program
8. Great online training programs with free CPE and practice returns to demonstrate any changes in the software
9. Free e-filing
10. A completely free web site - www.heritagetax.com
11. A commission of 80% of all fees generated by my web site for online filing through Drake. They have committed to NOT competing with their client base, so even thought they provide online filing, 80% of ALL fees go to the Drake users.
12. Access to free research through RIA Checkpoint
13. The best customer service I have ever seen for ANY product of ANY kind ANYwhere
14. The Drake forum which provides amazing feedback from fellow users as well as Drake staff
15. A staff that truly listens to ideas and suggestions. I have repeatedly seen suggestions made at their update forums as well as their online forums and then seen those suggestions incorporated into the program within a few days and even literally within hours. I was at a Drake forum a few year back and raised my hand in an open public forum and made a suggestion. When we reconvened after lunch, the moderator announced that she had called the home office with my suggestion and that it would be in the next release of the software. I have never experienced a company that listened to their clients better than Drake.

[thomtax]

However, after changes of Tax Software Cos in the past, a concern would be that they are still an "Family Owned Co" and somehow a "buyout or merger" will take place soon. No guarantees that Drake will not end up being part of Intuit, CCH, or one of the other "Big" Cos.


Sandy

Doubtful. They have just recently set up a connection with a company for financial advice and planning, and have been adding to their base by adding various companies and partnerships, such as the set up for paying your taxes with credit cards, the bill collection service, etc.

LT

[equinecpa]

Lacerte and Drake are in two different leagues. As you mentioned, Drake is for the preparer with clients that have issues with EIC and HOH. Lacerte, Ultra Tax, and ProSystem fx are for the preparer with clients that have more complex financial lives. First figure out which features you must have. Then, review the software that has your preferred features. Lastly, consider price.

I think this post is spot on. I tried Drake and recognized it as a decent program but it didn't meet MY needs. When you ask for a recommendation consider the practice profile of those recommending it. What's good for the goose may not be good for the gander in this case. If a couple of hundred dollars throws your decision...well let's say a couple of hundred dollars is not much considering the time it takes to convert programs....

[tacks]

Thanks to all of you

bump

Last night I was transferring an existing client to Drake. I had a problem and was getting an error message. So I called their customer support and the problem got solved very quickly.

Drake has many good features -- great support, custom letters, billing and the professional looking organizer. All this for a price that is considerably less than comparable products.

I couldn't be happier with Drake. And thanks to all who put their 2 cents in to this thread.

[Gretel]

Tacks, what software did you use before?

[Peachie]

I previously used Taxslayer

for my tax needs, but I changed this year because I was paying for more software than I actually used. I am an in-home tax preparer and rarely do partnerships, S-Corps, etc. When I had a fulltime job the price I paid for my tax software wasn't an issue. My tax income was more my pleasure money. However, when my company downsized, I realized I had to take a look at EVERYTHING I purchased and needed to downsize my needs.

I chose to go with TRX Pro 1040. This is a newer version of their previous software and I absolutely love it. As someone mentioned, if you've used tax software extensively the learning curves are mild. After playing around a bit, it became almost second nature to use this product. A few things I like:

1. TRX did all my conversions from TSP flawlessly.

2. Provided me with a great deal of training tools includng online classes with actual employees conducting the classes in real time.

3. All states and free electronic filing.

4. A review screen that is just smart to me. Very quick updates and a price that's more in-line with the type of returns I do.

5. Excellent customer service. I have had to make minimal phone calls to TRX. Each call and question has been answered in a very professional manner.

6. I got a lot more than I paid for at $299. They even included all of the business modules at that price. I have not used them but they are there should the need arise.

I asolutely have no complaints. I am glad I made the switch, however, Drake sounds like a product I would use if $$ were no object and my practice included more complex returns.

[peggysioux]

Previous Taxslayer Pro User

I actually use two programs - Lacerte for my business and more difficult returns (have used Lacerte for many years), but switched to Taxslayer Pro a couple of years ago for the simplier returns. I was not happy with the state side of Taxslayer Pro. Data did not flow well between federal and state. I went to TRX 1040 Pro this year and I do like the program; however I ran into a program issue with depreciation data flowing to CA for rentals and it took six days for them to correct the program. That is just way too long. So I will see how the rest of the season progresses before making my final decision on TRX 1040 Pro.

[oceanlovin'ea]

TRX Problems????

What happened? Well, a long story I will try to shorten. I was talking to them the end of April. The salesman told me that I could get ATX. Heard a lot of good things about it and the price through them was unbeatable. But I could only get it if I bought it then. The promo was due to end the end of April. I specifically asked what happens if I don't like the program. He promised me I would LOVE the program. So I took a chance and bought the ATX program. I got it in the mail but was busy and didn't install it for a couple of weeks. When I tried to the install code didn't work. I called and asked about it and was told they only had 500 copies of ATX and I guess they thought they could get more or something, but not ATX for me, but they PROMISED me I would love the other program they had, which was Taxwise, I think.

I argued with them about being promised ATX and not getting and wanting my money back. Couldn't do it. But they PROMISED I would love the new program they were coming out with in June.

Partially my fault because we had so much going on in our family last year, looking at their software and trying to figure out a new program seemed a little daunting to me at the time so I put it off.

When I looked at Taxwise, I didn't like it. But they had ignored me or just said it is not possible to refund my money. I think when I get a break, I will write a letter to the president of the company and tell him the situation.

I got Taxslayer Pro for the renewal price. So I am out $300. Instead of saving money I spent more.

I am so tired right now that I don't even want to think about different software. But I know I will feel differently in a month or two.

Linda

[AJsTax]

I finally got fed

up enough with the software I have been using for 5 or 6 years to call Warren and get set up on Drake. In one day I was up and preparing returns in Drake. I had tried the program last year after season and liked it, but was not sure about the price.
What I have decided is that when I take the cost of the old program and add efile charges for efiled returns (which all will have to be next year anyways) I am only paying $2 more per return using Drake PPR than in the old program. And such a much better program and service, it is hard to explain!!
I also Lacerte at my regular job for the past 5 years to prepare hundreds of returns per year and while Lacerte is very strong and can do most anything, I have come to pretty much hate working in it. Especially when It come to w-2 and 1099 input. And you have to just all over the place to enter some items that are connected. Just does not flow well. And the price is out right thieving!!
Just my 2 cents for today!!

[taxxcpa]

Drake

Some messages have indicated that Drake does not handle more complex returns. However, I've used it for 1040s, 1120s, 1120S, 1041s, 1065s, 940s, 941s, W-2s, 1099s and haven't found anything it couldn't handle. A payroll program comes with it which e-files payroll-type tax forms like W-2 and 1099s. You can also use the CWU program to keep a set of books, but I would not use it for write-up work since it is somewhat awkward and tedious.

I don't like the way the billing form is done and I particularly don't like the way auto mileage must be handled for people with multiple rentals, but it gets the job done.

Now they have added links on the main input screens that take you to supporting forms and also have a "forms-based" method for Form 1040 that links you to all supporting forms and other input screens.

It's getting easier to use every year. And they haven't raised their price for years. For a larger practice, I would agree that the price is not too important, but for smaller firms it does make a difference.

Tax Act is a low-cost program that I like just as much as Drake, maybe better, but it does not do all state returns and you have to buy each type program separately, but it would be good if all you do is 1040s.

[tacks]

Tacks, what software did you use before?

Hi Gretel,

I had contracted myself out a bit to another firm. And used their software. It was ProSystem. Which was wonderful, but not really cost efficient for little old me.

And i'm hesitant to mention how i did my own clients. Hesitant for a couple of reasons.