software

[PIGLEE]

Cheif. You left TRX for what program?

[taxxcpa]

Form-based entry

Thank for the reply.. Did you all stay with the form-base entry. No one
.

I only use the form-based entry if I can't remember the form number for something like energy credits or HSAs. In those situations, I go to the form and look for the line for the energy credit or the HSA, click on it and it takes me to the input screen.

If you know the form number, you don't have to search for the entry screen, just type in 6252, for example, and it takes you to the input screen for Form 6252.

As time goes on, you get familiar with the screens and go directly to them. If you can't find what you want, then post a message on the Drake Forum and someone (or a dozen people) will tell you where to look.

Another feature is "macros.' There is a macro (ALT-i) to fill in that there is no Foreign interest. There are numerous other macros which you can use and you can create your own or modify the ones Drake provides.

No one mentioned it, but the program includes the ability to e-file 1065s, 1120 and 1120S, 1041s--and e-filing of 1099s and W-2s. One fee covers all.

There is a Client Write-up program included for the one, single price. It is good for payroll work, but is a lot like making a general journal entry for every transaction if you use it for bookkeeping, so I stick to Peachtree for accounting work--I can use the same version for several years without updating since I do not use Peachtree for payroll.

[Maribeth]

I only use the form-based entry if I can't remember the form number for something like energy credits or HSAs. In those situations, I go to the form and look for the line for the energy credit or the HSA, click on it and it takes me to the input screen.

If you know the form number, you don't have to search for the entry screen, just type in 6252, for example, and it takes you to the input screen for Form 6252.

As time goes on, you get familiar with the screens and go directly to them. If you can't find what you want, then post a message on the Drake Forum and someone (or a dozen people) will tell you where to look.

Another feature is "macros.' There is a macro (ALT-i) to fill in that there is no Foreign interest. There are numerous other macros which you can use and you can create your own or modify the ones Drake provides.

No one mentioned it, but the program includes the ability to e-file 1065s, 1120 and 1120S, 1041s--and e-filing of 1099s and W-2s. One fee covers all.

There is a Client Write-up program included for the one, single price. It is good for payroll work, but is a lot like making a general journal entry for every transaction if you use it for bookkeeping, so I stick to Peachtree for accounting work--I can use the same version for several years without updating since I do not use Peachtree for payroll.

Is their payroll system active, i.e., can you calculate payroll and print the checks or is it all after-the-fact?

Maribeth

[Dusty2004]

Get a free copy of Drake and Proseries.

Do 5 returns - a 1040 EZ, a 1040A, a 1040 with Schedule A and B, a 1040 with Schedule E and Depreciation and 1040 with Schedule C. Do all the associated state returns.

I can almost guarantee if you do that you will pay the little more for Pro Series and will be more productive.

I compared both side to side and could not even begin to pick Drake - even though I am a Penny Pincher extraordinaire

Dusty

[Chief]

Program

I went with is TaxAct. I had been looking at it as a possibility for several years. It does what I need a program to do. This year it was bought out by Block. Who knows what the future holds.