software

[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.

[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

[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

[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.

[PIGLEE]

Cheif. You left TRX for what program?

[Chief]

TRX Taxwise

Like Piglee I tried TW through TRX for two years. TW was my first program many years ago. When TRX dropped TW I decided to leave them. The support I received was not very good. They had manyh staff on the telephone who didnt know the software or tax issues.
This year has been quite good in learning a new program. The forms based software I chose was an excellent choice and meets my needs quite well.

[PIGLEE]

I will answer that yes ONE PRICE INCLUDES EVERYTHING you mentioned and more.

I used Drake for 8 years, this year I was tempted by TRX, liked the 1040 works program, but ended up buying it from TAX Works the company Red Gear. I liked the program, but had a lot of problems, including the program kept locking up. My feeling is that is it a good program, but unstable and inconsistent. I think I was spoiled by Drake, especially their tech support. I really hate doing a conversion again. BUT I am going to go back to Drake.

[AZ-Tax]

With Drake, you are telling me I get

EVERYTHING is included in the sole fee of $1095 that you pay one time for year for EVERYTHING. NO extra fees for anything.

S-Corp, C-Corp, P'Ship etc. all states with unlimited e-filing plus NO additional fees to file S-Corp, C-Corp, P'Ship etc....even extensions?

[lenboush]

So what is Drake includings all states, unlimited e-filing for personal returns includes business forms?

Also, how much is the fee w/Drake to file an S-Corp, P'Ship etc. include state.

EVERYTHING is included in the sole fee of $1095 that you pay one time for year for EVERYTHING. NO extra fees for anything.

[Jan S]

TRX Alliance

Go to www.trxpro.com. They offer Tax Works this year. The fee is around $300. That includes 1040s and all business returns. Efiling is free. I have used them for 4 years after leaving ATX. I have never had a problem.

Their customer support has been great. They will help you with the transition from other software programs. I do about 100 1040s a year.

The last couple of years, they offered Tax Wise. The only problem I have is that they can change the software they are offering every few years. It is a short learning curve. The savings are great and the service is even better.

[KBTS]

So what is Drake includings all states, unlimited e-filing for personal returns includes business forms?

Also, how much is the fee w/Drake to file an S-Corp, P'Ship etc. include state.

Drake's price includes free unlimited e-file for all returns - both personal and business. No additional costs beyond the basic fee.

[AZ-Tax]

Pro Series price is getting a little pricey am consdering Drake

So what is Drake includings all states, unlimited e-filing for personal returns includes business forms?

Also, how much is the fee w/Drake to file an S-Corp, P'Ship etc. include state.

[RNuse09]

Pro series

I use pro series 1040 complete. I think it ran me 1,500 for the year,

[Super Mom]

I like ATX, don't know about Drake because of the price, but my ATX with business add-on costed me $826.00 this year and my e-files are covered for free (I'm small). $1095 all encompassing sounds like a pretty good deal now! I've just found that after using ATX for so many years, I can do returns much easier and with less stress (I haven't prepared taxes in my sleep this year!) Good luck!

[lenboush]

Thank for the reply.. Did you all stay with the form-base entry. No one
mentioned cost. I pay $1000.00 for software plus $3.00 e-file fee.

Drake is is an all encompassing $1095 and there is NO e-file fee or any other fees of any kind. The single fee includes all of the following:

1. Software for individual, corporation, partnership, gift tax, exempt organizations, estates, and fuiduciary returns as well as all 50 states.

2. A write up program

3. A document manager program

4. A client status manager program

5. An appointment scheduler program

6. A free web site

7. A free research affiliation with RIA checkpoint

8. A fantastic web based user forum that is very active

9. The best customer service I have ever experienced with any compnay using any product

I bought a business 10 years ago that was already using Drake and I hated it. At the end of the first season, I made it my goal to find a better alternative at a reasonable price and would not have minded paying even a little more. After testing at least a half dozen other programs, I decided to put up with Drake just one more season. Over the years, through a combination of Drake making massive improvements and my getting used to using it, I have gone from hating Drake to being a big fan.

Don't get me wrong. Drake still has it problems and it's issues but that is true of any program and of any company. At this point in time, it would take an incredible improvement of some kind to get me to ever leave Drake. I do highly recommend it to anyone.

Having said all of that, different software may be better for different types of practices. Drake just happens to work for me.

I am not affiliated with Drake in any way except as a satisfied user and receive NO compensation for this reccomendation.