Tax Software - Happy or not?

[DTS]

Tax software

Two years with Drake and I love it. Switched over from TaxWorks and I wish I had switched years ago!

[beck]

I really appreciate all your input and thought processes for what software is working for you guys. It also seems that many other people are interested in this thread based on the number of views.

It seems like there are many Drake lovers out there (possibly larger client bases to offset the cost?).

Keep your input coming!

Thanks,
Beck

[veritas]

I use Lacerte

and I am less happy every year.

[JohnH]

I just spoke with Drake again today. Based on the ongoing conversations on the ATX Forum, I'm losing confidence in CCH's ability to get things right. I already have the Drake conversion info and will probably pull the trigger in the next 24 -36 hours.

Sure am glad I followed past practice and didn't bite on the early sign-up discount. The small amount of savings isn't worth being locked into a vendor before their software has a chance to prove itself.

[GradyFinance]

Drake user for 13 years. Taxwise for 6 years prior. Would not change from Drake if you paid me. Awesome Cust Svc and great software.

[alaska]

Im using Proseries Pro. I like it well enough to not change- I HATE change.

[equinecpa]

ATX user-not satisifed. I don't like the direction CCH is taking this software. I tried Drake one year but couldn't get used to the input method. I made a huge mistake on a return due to that. I don't know where to go next year? I do numerous individual/business returns in many states so I need a good forms based software that is priced as a complete package.

[gman]

Taxworks

Taxworks is struggling to get a working product out. Your on hold for at least 30 minutes when you call. Make may a change next year.
Really wish it was up and running correctly

[John of PA]

Drake

I just switched from Lacerte to Drake. I love Drake and would not go back to Lacerte if they let me use it for free. I would suggest using Ultra Tax (the best package out there) if you can afford it. If Ultra Tax is not in your budget, Drake is by far the best value out there. Ultra Tax and Drake clearly stood out as the 2 best packages in the AICPA survey (Ultra Tax for high end, and Drake for smaller firms). I have yet to come across anything that Drake cannot do that Lacete could.

[Roberts]

I have used TRX products the last few years and jumped ship about 2 weeks ago. When Doug Hughes was going onto the ATXCommunity forum and using the posts to determine which problems needed to be fixed - I knew right away they were never going to be close to providing a finished product. If they aren't ahead of their customers in identifying the problems with their product, how are they going to be ready when e-filing season hits? Plus, their product his horrific. The worksheets are horrible and I knew right away it wasn't a product I'd want to renew next season so I decided quickly to make the jump.

Software has to work the way your brain works. If it doesn't, you'll struggle all season. Drake is that way for me. I'm sure it's terrific software but it doesn't work for me from the DEMO I used. Wow, their customers do seem to love it though.

I've switched to OLTPRO and am satisfied with it so far. It's a forms entry approach and I prefer that over anything else. The season has just started so we'll see if the software holds up but as of right now, it works great. The renewal price is very attractive for a small tax business. It's $700 the first year, $500 to renew if you do so early. That includes 1040 software with all 50 states, business software and all e-filing.

One goofy thing with OLTPRO - they give you a CD to load the program but it's horrific at loading. My computers didn't recognize the install or the CD very well so it took me a while to get it to load. The Demo and the actual software were that way. Once you get it installed though - no problems with updates as they install automatically.

You can customize the graphics of the software so that it shows YOUR corporate identity. I like that.

[Dusty2004]

Pro Series

With all the packages I have tried there is no comparison. I don't what to have to "tweak" the returns like I had to do with Drake. I want it correct when I am done with it not have to check if the software did it right.

Dusty

[spanel]

Taxslayer Pro

Extremely Satisfied...

I switched from TaxWise.. They still dont have IL out yet.. Taxslayer has had IL since the 14th.. YAY!! Glad I made the Switch.

Chris

[Matt Sova]

No comparison

For me there is no better software than UltraTax. We use all the Thomson Reuters Creative Solution suite of software and the integration saves us a ton of time and file cabinet space. This year we switched to their SaaS version and so far, we have been very happy with it.

[Jiggers]

I switched from Proseries to Drake this year. There were forms that Proseries did not have available, but I needed in order to e-file. Proseries also nickled and dimed everytime there was something you needed.

Been with Drake since the 1993 tax year (1994 filing season) when Best Tax Software went belly-up during the middle of tax season. Worst filing season I ever had with massive amounts of overtime to get the work out on a sorry tax software. Best was the best until that season.

After 4/15 I went to a meeting and Drake was one of the vendors. I picked up a trial copy and finished up all my extension on it instead of Best Tax Software.

Been with them ever since.

[JoshinNC]

Drake is all I've ever used

I have access to a competitor's product a cost of virtually $0 and wouldn't think about switching.