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    #1

    Tax program prices

    Sea-tax, Bob W, and TheGoodnShawn were discussing the the costs of Lacerte and Drake on the "Preparer Pin" thread a few posts down the page.

    Hey boys -- I used to have Lacerte and quit at around $2,200 (1040 program only). How much is it now?



    I bought ATX (1040 only version) in December for $655. Pretty cheap, I thought, and it has free EF and free "all states." Support still leaves something to be desired, but if you know taxes, you can do it pretty well on your own. Definitely not for the novice, though.

    I'd also like to know what the cost of other programs is if anybody wants to chime in
    Tags: None
    #2
    ProSeries

    I paid about $1000 for Proseries 1040 all states and with early sign-up all E-Files were included. That price has come down over the past few years. I think a couple years ago I paid $1300 or $1400 for the same package. I priced LaCerte but for my practice it was way more than I needed and too pricey. (I'm sure it's worth the price but out of my range) I wonder if anyone out there uses Tax Works or Great Tax? I test drove Great Tax which is actually Tax Works with a differant cover.

    Comment

      #3
      I used Dunphy System for 25 years and they went out of business last year. I paid 2500.
      for it. On the other message board of qf there was a lot of talk about Tax Slayer Pro and so I bought it for this year. I paid 795. for it and it has free efinling and also includes all business and state tax returns. So far I have been pretty pleased with it and as for support it is wonderful. The longest I have had to wait to talk to someone has been 85 seconds!!!

      Comment

        #4
        TaxslayerPro user

        I have used TaxslayerPro since I went into business for myself. I went to the IRS Forum the summer before I really started my business. I was really in a quandry about what program to use, considering price and what the program did. I had a sample of ProSeries and something else (can't remember which program)

        I met the Taxslayer people and went to a demonstration. I was so amazed at how easy to use the program was. I thought the price was very reasonable, too. This year I renewed before the end of April and paid $750.

        One thing that really appealed to me was the lack of "nonsense paper" that print out with Taxslayer. You get a copy of the tax return and necessary worksheets. Proseries seemed to print out at least 10 extra pages of summaries that people don't really want or ever look at.

        So not only was the program cheaper but you save on paper. As Mag said, support is great.

        I have had some companies give me sample copies of their program but this year I was too busy to even look at them.

        Linda F

        Comment

          #5
          TaxSlayer

          Linda, I too use TaxSlayer, and all you've said about it is true. The best support ANYWHERE, bar none.

          The entities package needs some work. They are centered in Augusta, GA and I'm sure their packages for Georgia and South Carolina are fine. But I file a couple of multi-state corporations, and their software falls apart. But I renewed with them again anyway.

          I believe they should perhaps split off their entities and try to market them separately. They do such a great job on the 1040.

          Comment

            #6
            Agree

            You are right. They need a little work on their business entities. Most of my s-corps are small 1 or 2 shareholder corps so I haven't had too much trouble.

            But what is really good about TaxslayerPro is that you can give them your suggestions or tell them how something should work and they are pretty good about incorporating it in the program. Sometimes it is something they can fix right away but at least for next year.

            I missed the seminar in December. Did you go?

            Linda F

            Comment

              #7
              Tax Slayer

              I tried it a few years ago. It seemed like an MS DOS program, and did not handle a problem tax return I had as well as LaCerte, ProSeries or TaxAct. I use ATX which also did not handle the problem--which was a one-year problem only, so I continued with ATX which provides more for the money but is plagued with constant updates which cause efiles to be rejected if you don't update immediately before you efile.

              Comment

                #8
                I use Drake and by renewing early paid $995. This is for 1040, All states, corp. both S & C, free efiling (of course it is not really free since, as with all the other companies, it is figured into the renewal price ), partnerships and for the last few years has included a client write up program. So far this year the support lines have been answered within about 30 seconds, if not immediately.

                LT
                Only 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

                  #9
                  Prices

                  I use Orrtax, renewed early $787.50. Includes all States also all business returns. Partnerships, Corporations ect. You pay for E-filing. Great Customer Service. Their E-filing module for the state Arizona is always late. This year as in past years, I have had to go back and piggyback 58 returns, by the time they got the State of Arizona E-filing program up and running. I am looking for a new vendor that will consider my state just as important as California. I want to be up and running from the word go. I am hesitant because I have been with company since 1992, and their product is great except for the above mentioned flaw.
                  Need feed back (positive or negative), should I just put up and shutup? Thanks.

                  Comment

                    #10
                    Hi Kong, I've been using Orrtax for a long time, too. Sometimes my state module is delayed, too. I don't think it is the company valuing your state less than others, but the states' revenue depts taking their time in giving forms approval.

                    Comment

                      #11
                      BB Lacerte is expensive and for all my offices I spend around 10-12k for the complete program and unlimited e-file and all the other items.

                      That being said and after listening and reading everyone elses complaints about there programs on this forum and others , you could not pay me enough to change. I understand that 1000 bucks for the whole thing looks attractive to most but when you think of all the down time and frustration that some go through I don't mind paying extra. It is worth it to me , because my time is a limited reasource and my sanity is even more limited.

                      Comment

                        #12
                        There's another poster

                        Originally posted by Kong View Post

                        I am looking for a new vendor that will consider my state just as important as California.

                        ...Need feed back (positive or negative), should I just put up and shutup? Thanks.
                        on the board here from Arizona (Ken) and he's a knowledgeable guy, so I'll put up a post with his name and maybe he knows something to tell you about a good vendor for y'all.

                        P.S. There's always somebody worse off. Talk about being at the bottom of the priority heap as opposed to California, et al -- you should have the Arkansas programs. Vendors never fix them. Unless the problem is just so bad that returns absolutely can't be filed, they just carry the problems over to the next year and and on and on.

                        Comment

                          #13
                          Originally posted by Black Bart View Post

                          P.S. There's always somebody worse off. Talk about being at the bottom of the priority heap as opposed to California, et al -- you should have the Arkansas programs. Vendors never fix them. Unless the problem is just so bad that returns absolutely can't be filed, they just carry the problems over to the next year and and on and on.
                          BB, I would respecfully disagree about Arkansas as I frequently download updates for Arkansas on Drake. Also, if I run into a problem, or question on Arkansas, as I did last week, they have the problem solved within 24-72 hours with an update or answer.

                          LT
                          Only 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

                            #14
                            Originally posted by thomtax View Post
                            BB, I would respecfully disagree about Arkansas as I frequently download updates for Arkansas on Drake. Also, if I run into a problem, or question on Arkansas, as I did last week, they have the problem solved within 24-72 hours with an update or answer.

                            LT
                            I use Drake. I am in Hawaii. With every other program I have ever used, we are the last dog in the team. Yesterday I was the first user to try capital gains tax in Hawaii, Drake failed. I called in and Drake had an update on their website in 40 minutes. They called me immediately to tell me it was available.

                            Christopher Mewhort, EA, CGA
                            mewhorttax.com

                            Comment

                              #15
                              Originally posted by Kong View Post
                              I use Orrtax, renewed early $787.50. Includes all States also all business returns. Partnerships, Corporations ect. You pay for E-filing. Great Customer Service. Their E-filing module for the state Arizona is always late. This year as in past years, I have had to go back and piggyback 58 returns, by the time they got the State of Arizona E-filing program up and running. I am looking for a new vendor that will consider my state just as important as California. I want to be up and running from the word go. I am hesitant because I have been with company since 1992, and their product is great except for the above mentioned flaw.
                              Need feed back (positive or negative), should I just put up and shutup? Thanks.
                              I used Orrtax until 2000 then switched to Drake and really like it. Everything for ~$1,000 and the support is excellent. Like Sea-tax, my time is a limited reasource and my sanity is even more limited, but then so is my money so I am pleased with Drake. Haven't had the problems that other $1,000 software users report.
                              "A man that holds a cat by the tail learns something he can learn no other way." - Mark Twain

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