Are you Satsified with your Tax Software.. Round 2

[dtlee]

I have never used Drake. I have looked at it briefly but to be honest - Not a fair shake yet.
I use a version of TaxWorks put out by TRX. While the interface is slow and can be clumsy at times it very much does the job for a very reasonable price.

What did you hate about TaxWorks vs. Love about Drake?
I only prepare about 125 returns annually. The larger costs weighs heavy on ROI.

I'd love to hear HONEST opinions [good and bad] about various products that you have used or are using. I'm may try a new package next year.... Not sue yet...

Downloading TaxSlayer as we speak.

Piglee did a review of the two last year here:

http://www.thetaxbook.com/forums/showpost.php?p=112546&postcount=4

I found some of that to be misleading.

For example, I find Drake's method of building "what if" scenarios to be safer and more straightforward....you archive the real return, put in "Check values" to prevent yourself from accidentally efiling your what if scenario, and start playing. The ability to store key values to prevent yourself from accidentally filing a return with a test scenario in it is something I have not found in any other product.

I have processed a couple of dozen returns through TaxWorks in the past two years and have been astounded that I found problems that had not been reported. I mentioned some in this forum last year and this year found additional issues with the NY 1041 forms (the AGI amount reported to New York was computed improperly) and for the "see attached" message for the list of beneficiaries, they never produced the list of beneficiaries.

While both of these problems were fixed (actually, they gave me an override to correct their miscalculation), it does not give me a warm cozy that I was finding such problems in the middle of the season (early March).

[David1980]

MAJ,

I missed your cogent comments. Try to be a little less scarce next year.

Drake is a software product best used by someone who knows what he/she wants to see on the finished product. For example:[list][*]You know what line code J 1099R distributions should be on

An interesting perspective. I've always thought ATX was more fitting for that kind of user, as you are looking at the forms and you can visually see that the amount is showing on the correct line on the form without flipping back and forth between a worksheet and the forms. And in fact you can get to the entry for something by knowing where it will carry to, where-as with Drake you may have to hunt the worksheets to figure out where it pulls from.

Of course, once you've learned how to use something I don't think it matters much. Someone who has learned how to enter everything in Drake would probably have a hard time initially in ATX and vice versa.

[David1980]

The ability to store key values to prevent yourself from accidentally filing a return with a test scenario in it is something I have not found in any other product.

The concept of "test" returns is not unique to Drake. I like how TaxWorks does it. Through their "samples" folder. Completely separate folder, and not only can you create a return but you can even "file" the return and get back a fake acknowledgement. Kind of cool when you're playing with new software to see how the full process works on a sample return. Printing the return it watermarks it as a sample return. Easy to move returns between folders or copy/duplicate returns, etc. So you can copy your client folder to the samples folder, play with the numbers, print it out (and it's watermarked, so you never confuse it with the real return), and if you like the changes you can copy it back over to the default folder and file it if you wanted.

[Brian EA]

[QUOTE=David1980;139090]
Of course, once you've learned how to use something I don't think it matters much. Someone who has learned how to enter everything in Drake would probably have a hard time initially in ATX and vice versa

Point well taken. I have been using Drake since 2003 and there has to be some major issues before I switch. The Customer service is great and the software is really friendly-easy to navigate.I can't seem to think of using another software at this time.

[dtlee]

The concept of "test" returns is not unique to Drake.

David,

I never said it was, but in PigLee's analysis

8. With Works you can very easy make another copy of the return and pay "What If" with

it could be inferred that the feature did not exist in Drake.

While the implementation is different, the feature exists in both products. The piece that is unique to Drake is an overall "Check" screen which allows you to put key amounts expected on the return (like filing status and number of dependents) or to rekey totals from wages or taxes so that you can avoid sending a return where you inadvertently changed something and forgot to change it back.

I am convinced that should I ever be comfortable that the errors I keep finding are diministhing, that I will be able to move to TaxWorks from Drake with minimal loss of features. TaxWorks was much more stable this past season and their support was significantly more streamlined to get to a knowledgeable person.

[appelman]

I am satisfied with TaxAct,

At least for individual returns. I haven't tried its entity modules. For entities and trusts, I use Drake pay-per-return, since TaxAct doesn't do trusts, but I may switch to Intuit. I know I'm in a minority, but I still feel that Drake software was written by a slightly inebriated programmer. Things seem to be located every which where, with little rhyme or reason. Even after using it a lot, I still have to figure out, "Now where did I go to input that number?" And their fiduciary programmers seem clueless regarding the mechanics of a 1041. And as for reliable carrying of 1041 data to the state -- Fuggedaboutit! To get it right, you have to do it manually.

I have to use TaxWise for my pro bono work with the VITA program. (They have the IRS contract.) My general impression is that they are trying to be too clever by half, resulting in lots of unnecessary problems.

Incidentally, as far as I know, Drake and TaxWise are the only packages that don't give you the option of an automatic optimization of the educational expense choices. TaxAct warns you that it may not always achieve the best result, but leaves to you the decision whether to use it.

[erchess]

Drake Forms Based Entry

If you know what line on the return something ends up on you can select forms based entry and navigate to that spot and click on it. The relevant Drake worksheet will pop up.

[Ross]

TaxAct

I'm happy w/ TaxAct. I do about 130-140 returns as a side job out of my home. I also use their business software for three 1065s and one 1120S for my day job as a controller. I've been using it since it was Parson's Personal Tax Edge in 1994. I don't intend to switch unless they are bought out and I have to switch.

[joanmcq]

ATX doesn't automatically select the best education benefit either, but it's not something I miss.

There are some things I would like to have, especially a planner that works down to the state level-this can be a real pain in the butt, and several things that are specific to same sex couple returns, such as a flag across the top of the 1040, and a e-filable worksheet to split withholding.

[appelman]

TaxAct is nice for SSM's and RDP's

Especially for e-filing. Mostly because it is extremely flexible. I make the pro forma joint, copy it to a single for the primary, massage it, then copy it again to a single for the secondary and massage it again. Works like a charm.

[JohnH]

I like ATX, due to its low price for the selection of forms and also its intuitive look & feel. I like working directly off the form itself, and with ATX I find it easy to toggle back & forth using only the mouse except when actually entering data.

I usually take Drake for a test spin in the off-season, and would probably switch to them if I even became disenchanted with ATX. (Came close to doing that a couple of years ago).

I also evaluated Tax Slayer about 2-3 years ago and found it to be OK, but I didn't think it compared to ATX or Drake for my purposes. I have to hand it to Tax Slayer's marketing department though - the salesman in me admires their tenacity. Once they get your contact info, they don't give up easily.

[RNuse09]

Pro series

I have used Proseries for my first two years in business. Is there a reason no one else seems to use it.

[joanmcq]

@Appelman, I do the same thing with ATX. Do the joint one first, then I make two copies. Then delete what doesn't pertain to each partner and make the adjustments necessary. It does work well, but I'd like to be able to efile these next year!

[Redneck]

ProSeries Pro

I have used Proseries for my first two years in business. Is there a reason no one else seems to use it.

I have used ProSeries for the last 20 years It has it's ups and downs but am to old to change.
The last two years have been the best for the software. back about 5 years ago it was terrible, but its getting better. Support was good this year only had to call twice, problem was fixed right away.

[Lion]

I let ProSystem fx split one joint return into the two separate individual returns (it makes them MFS, but I can change the filing status easily). I do all the massaging on the worksheet in the joint return, getting the amounts the way I want them for T and S and leaving as J those I want to split evenly.

CT has same-sex marriage now. But, I lost my small group of clients that might require MFJ CT returns with S federal returns some years back when I left HRB and before CT law changed.