Have used Tax Slayer Pro for 6 years now and love it. I've had no major issues and the smaller ones they have addressed very quickly if I have to call support. Their support people are excellent. Reasonably priced so no desire to change.
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Trx Pro 1040
I think this is my third year using what some have said is Tax Works. I don't know. I used Tax Slayer for more than 10 years but it was getting too expensive for the clientele I serve. In steps TRX and I have not looked back.
I have been fortunate to have few problems at all and the few I had were easily resolved. I'm a fan.
PeachieComment
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I have used Drake Tax Software for a good many years now and I like it very much.
I just finished preparing tax returns for a client and her husband who had W-2 forms
from FIVE states and Drake performed flawlessly.Comment
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I've used ProSystemFX for many years. They're not cheap but the program diagnostics are excellent and the telephone support is amazing. They always answer quickly and will stay on the line with you as long as it takes.Comment
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Pro Series Pro since 1994. They are very responsive to suggestions and their customer support is excellent!Believe nothing you have not personally researched and verified.Comment
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ATX since I went on my own in 2002. Have experience with ProsystemsFx (waaaay too pricey for when I went solo), Lacerte (had issues I did not have with ATX), Drake (CA issues for ex-pats), and ProSeries (COD is a nightmare when you know what you want, and the program wants to do it all....and doesn't).
Every form known to state and IRS, and for the OH people, does have an extra module just for you. Does not automatically split for MJS though.Comment
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ProSystem fx
ProSystem fx pay per return keeps my costs down. It's worth every penny. Multi states just happen. Kiddie tax is just one click, no matter how many siblings. Importing gain/loss statements is point and click; any spreadsheet into any grid is point and click. Quick and thorough support via telephone, call-back via appointment, chat, email, online 24/7. Cheaper than an assistant !!
pages 6 & 7.Comment
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TaxslayerPro
I have used TaxslayerPro since I started on my own in 2002. Have always been completely satisfied. Support is great. Have never had serious problems..occasionally small ones that have been resolved quickly.
Looked at Drake but decided not to change. I was looking at Drake because I wanted a better bookkeeping program that QB. But I didn't like the look of the reports from Drake. So I just stayed with TaxslayerPro and am going to use their Taxslayer Books this year and see how that goes.
Linda, EAComment
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Drake for 12 years now. Don't know about Ohio cities, and being in Arkansas, don't really concern myself, but it has done well in all states that I needed, plus the overseas workers tax exemptions. It seems to get better each year and I would highly recommend it.
LTOnly in government or politics is a "cut in spending" really an increase. It's just not as much of an increase as they wanted it to be, therefore a "cut".Comment
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Interesting Call from TaxWorks
I have been trying to migrate to TaxWorks for a couple of years. It is a very competent tax package, but I am not yet comfortable with it as a complete solution, especially after the problems I saw last year (which have not been commonplace this year).
However, I wanted to relay a call I just received from them noting that I had not updated one of my computers with their latest update and offering me assistance if I was having problems completing the update on that computer. I have never had a proactive customer service call before, and I must admit that I am impressed.
Perhaps this summer is the year I will drop my current primary vendor or relegate them to pay-per-return support.DougComment
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ATX Max. Unlimited e-filing of federal and all states. Many state and local forms that are not found in some other software. Also unlimited e-filing of 1099/1096 and w-2's. I never buy red form 1099 anymore.Comment
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I still have TW on one computer that I use for prior year returns and got notice from TW that an update was available. The update failed, but I did not get a call or notice to call for help with the update. Odd.Originally posted by dtlee View PostComment
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I was able to get that latest update a few minutes ago.Comment
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Which tax software are cheaper?Originally posted by nkustura View PostI have used Drake for 4 years and I really like it. Haven't really had any issues with it. It is a little pricey thou
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Cheap depends on how you use it. Many vendors offer pay per return options for preparers with only a few returns to prepare. However, even there, there are differences. Some vendors consider a federal return with five states to be one charge and others consider it to be six (federal plus five states).Originally posted by Questionguy101 View Post
I may not have this right since some of it is based on hearsay, but here is how I see these.
Lower Tier: TaxAct is a tremendous bargain for a relatively complete package. Drake offers a much higher level of features for about twice the price. TRX is an interesting company which resells other products at what appears to be a significant discount but is (I think) developing their own alternative. TaxSlayer Pro, ATX, and TaxWise are also in and around the lower price range, depending on the features and types of returns you want to have.
Middle Range: TaxWorks and ProSeries seem to be in the midrange and offer quite a few subsets of their full product if you do not need all of the types of returns and features they support. Both offer pay per return options. ProSeries has been known to aggressively price against even lower tier competitors to woo customers away.
High Range: UltraTax, Lacerte, and ProSystem/fx seem to be at the higher end in terms of price and features (like better or more complete worksheets and better handling of less common scenarios or less common forms). ProSystem//fx seemed to be a bit haughty to deal with. When I asked them a question about their interpretation of how to handle a state refund computation, first they told me, "You must be kidding. This is a top tier product. You don't need to question how we perform our computations. They are reviewed by CPAs." Then they gave me an answer (which is basically wrong) and then refused to let me demo the product (I was not their kind of customer). I have friends who love their software, but one tells me it is a long process to convince them when there is an error in the product.
You should not base a decision on price alone. There is also the consideration of support and how easy it is to learn a product, how many forms it supports, what kind of letters and bills it produces, how efiling is handled, etc. In addition, you need to know your clients. Do you need a product like ProSystem/fx? Do you do many corporate or fiduciary returns? Do you prepare multi-state returns regularly? Are you in a state like Ohio or New York where it is important to have a product that checks MFS down to the state level?
You may be content with a lower priced product or may need one of the more expensive packages.DougComment
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