TRX Software

[Roberts]

Just a heads up if you are using TRX. They mailed out their TaxExact software as the only option this year and it's not in any fashion a completed product. Get working with it now and prepare yourself because it's not intuitive at all.

I started working a sample 1065 today and I'm roughly 2 hours in and have been completely stumped for 45 minutes on entering assets to depreciate. First of all it doesn't link to the correct forms so you have to ignore that and when you enter the assets it doesn't transfer to the worksheets or forms as of yet.

Doug says they are working on this stuff but they've been working for 2 years on this and have 1 month left basically before I'm getting paid to manipulate data. The product mailed so far - wow.

I'm looking at alternatives (why I asked about OLTPro last week). I may need to buy a different program in the next few weeks because this isn't currently anywhere close to cutting it from what I can tell. Even on forms that work, it's difficult to work through them because it's so spread out. For example, enter tax exempt interest earned by a 1065 - the words are on one side of the page, the box all the way across with little dotted lines separating them. There are rows and rows of this. You have to run your finger across the screen to make sure you are putting it in the right box. It's going to take forever to finish a return like this.

There is a box to review your return for errors. As of right now that appears to be a completely dead button to hit.

[dtlee]

I really wanted to use their product

Their tech support seems accessible and knowledgeable, but the preview software!?!??!

In the spring, I tried it and could never change the Social Security Wages. Plus the only state I could preview was South Carolina, not particularly challenging since I need New York. They promised me a CD when it was more developed and said it would have a demo of New York.

They called all summer and I asked for a demo with New York. Never got it. They emailed me in the fall with several offers. I finally emailed them back to stop emailing me unless they were going to send me the CD they promised. A month and several phone calls later, I had my CD. Now there were no states. Why not? They said they were afraid I would file a return with them.

I am already using two other software packages and I cannot get a whole federal return through their interface, and they are afraid I will file a state return with their software.

It does look promising, though, but not quite ready. They emphasized that the 2012 software would have "anything" that is missing in the demo.

Please let us know how you fare with this. I want to get rid of one of the packages I am using (if not both).

[mlinderEA]

Trx software

I bought TAXWISE from them a couple of years they delivered another software refused to refund my money.I ended paying a premium for software since I missed all the sales.They lied to me and ran me around every time I called them.I would not do business with them.If you want a software go direct and you know what you are going to receive.

[JohnH]

Would it be smart for one of your clients to go to another tax preparer who would the sub-contract the work to you? To me, that's what's happening when you buy tax software from someone other than the actual developer.

I recommend Drake or ATX MAX. Both are within the same price range and offer similar forms assortments. I'm with ATX because I've used them for a long time. If I were going to switch, it would be to Drake. If I were making that decision without any prior history, I'd probably go straight to Drake due to their excellent customer support and impeccable reputation.

[John of PA]

Drake Software

I would take a serious look at Drake. It is a very powerful package for the price. (around 1300/year for absoutely everything) An excellent value. I just switched from Lacerte and am very happy with it. Thier tech support is there 8:00 to 10:00pm 5dpw and till 5 on Sat., A live person answers every time. Wish you well.

[Roberts]

Thier tech support is there 8:00 to 10:00pm 5dpw and till 5 on Sat., A live person answers every time. Wish you well.

I've used Taxact (2years), Proseries (1 Year), ATX(1 year), TaxWise (2 years), TaxWorks(2years), Intellitax(1year). I've never once called tech support. Obviously switching software isn't a struggle for me, I sort of enjoy it.

I reviewed a demo of Drake. I'm sure it's a great software program because everyone raves about it but it doesn't work the way my brain works. Something about it was a complete struggle to work through for me. Software has to work the way you think. I had the same problem with ProSeries. Some people love Proseries, I hated it.

For me, Intellitax was head and shoulder above everyone else. Loved it the short while I had it - before it was bought out and disbanded.

[taxxcpa]

Drake made easy

The main difficulty I had with Drake was the numerous screens for data input. There is a way you can simplify it, though. Use the "forms-based" input which takes you to a Form 1040 and you go to the line on the 1040 for whatever you are looking for.
This way you don't even have to know the Form number since all Forms and schedules can be accessed by clicking on the line on the 1040 that is supported by the form.

[Ken]

Taxslayer

I have used Taxslayer for about 10 years now and I would highly recommend that program to anyone out there.

[ChEAr$]

I bought TAXWISE from them a couple of years they delivered another software refused to refund my money.I ended paying a premium for software since I missed all the sales.They lied to me and ran me around every time I called them.I would not do business with them.If you want a software go direct and you know what you are going to receive.

dito, ditto, ditto. I was promised Taxwise also, and TRX lied to me.

[zeros]

What Software Does the Volunteer Places Use?

After retirement from this business, I've been thinking about volunteering at the library, etc. I kept my same software (Drake) all these years (1989) and one of the reasons is I didn't want to go thru the pains of learning a new one. What does the free places use?

[mlinderEA]

Trx

After retirement from this business, I've been thinking about volunteering at the library, etc. I kept my same software (Drake) all these years (1989) and one of the reasons is I didn't want to go thru the pains of learning a new one. What does the free places use?

All free file locations including military bases and IRS walk in locations use a form of TAXWISE by CCH.

[manyhappyreturns]

Trx

I've used TaxWorks through TRX for 3 years and it has worked for me, but I'm freaking out a bit now after getting the software about 3 days ago. It is TOTALLY different, and I can't get my clients proformaed into it. It says they have been imported successfully, but then I can't find them to open them. So I tried a sample return just to see how it works, and it is very cumbersome, if not impossible. And what is really frustrating is that the "help" button is disabled. I'm hoping tech support is available this week, even though it's Christmas week, and even if they are, I'm sure they will be fielding a zillion calls from people like me. Not sure if I should perservere and get it to work (if possible) or jump ship and look for another software. Learning a new software would also take some time and not sure how long it would take to get it anyway. This is insane!

[DonPriebe]

Trx 2012

There's extensive discussion of the 'new' TRX software on the dedicated sub-board of the unofficial ATX board. See http://www.atxcommunity.com/ The conversion problem has been solved / has a work-around / works, but not as you think it should.

[Roberts]

There's extensive discussion of the 'new' TRX software on the dedicated sub-board of the unofficial ATX board. See http://www.atxcommunity.com/ The conversion problem has been solved / has a work-around / works, but not as you think it should.

Yeah, you had to hit something to "repopulate" the client list. Still, it did very little as far as bringing information forward considering they had complete access to TaxWorks and knew the majority of their clients used that software.

There are TONS of problems with the new software. $700 is a decent amount of money to just throw away but at this point, I think it's getting really close to becoming a forced loss. The reality is that with all of the problems, I could see TRX going out of business over this. I already know I'd never renew with TRX next year so am I really wanting to re-enter all the assets 2 years in a row? No. It's probably time to just bite the bullet but I'm cheap, $700 is real money to a cheap person

[Peachie]

Have you gotten an answer?

I've used TaxWorks through TRX for 3 years and it has worked for me, but I'm freaking out a bit now after getting the software about 3 days ago. It is TOTALLY different, and I can't get my clients proformaed into it. It says they have been imported successfully, but then I can't find them to open them. So I tried a sample return just to see how it works, and it is very cumbersome, if not impossible. And what is really frustrating is that the "help" button is disabled. I'm hoping tech support is available this week, even though it's Christmas week, and even if they are, I'm sure they will be fielding a zillion calls from people like me. Not sure if I should perservere and get it to work (if possible) or jump ship and look for another software. Learning a new software would also take some time and not sure how long it would take to get it anyway. This is insane!

I use TRX Pro 1040. If this is the program, I can help you.

Peachie