Software

[KJ Judd]

Lacerte has been able to handle any return I need to do - state, fiduciary, corporate. You can use it on a per return basis. It definitely is more pricey. However when I'm doing a less familar state return, etc. I really appreciate it's diagnostics. More than once when I checked it out, I found out that the software was right and my initial thought was incorrect. Also since it's just me, I view the extra cost as my extra set of eyes looking at the returns.

[John of PA]

I also use Lacerte

I also use Lacerte and really like it. It just keeps getting better every year. And now they have a Accounts Trial Balance option, that provides an almost seamless integration of Lacerte with Quickbooks (both are Intuit products). My only warning is stay away from the auto-source Doc data entry (scan a W-2 and it automatically goes into the input screen with no data entry).. It does not work very well, as any computer person can tell you, optical scanning technology (reading without bar codes) is not perfected yet.

[S T]

I always Liked

I have always liked Lacerte, the problem was they became too pricey for my practice once Intuit took over , so I decided to change to TaxWorks. I cut my costs by about 40% on my current software purchase and have a good product, maybe not all the bells and whistles, but pretty good!. Tech support has been awesome!

Sandy

[sea-tax]

I have used Lacerte for years and have always been happy with the product. I can prepare almost any tax return out there. It does have a PPR option which I have heard went up this year. But from all the bells and whistles that you get, like diagnostics, highlighting of missing work, 1031 wizard, and the list goes on and on, the price is well worth it.

My advice don't let money be your over riding factor, it can save you money if you are more proficient because of the program.

[Holland]

Software

This question comes up repeatedly on most tax forums. Most responders will suggest that they are satisfied with their software and indicate that they have no experience with any other. Well, duh! If they weren't satisfied, they would have changed. I think I have a broader perspective, having used (I think) twelve tax softwares. They all stink, or they all do a decent job, take your pick. My opinion is that each software should be evaluated on how well it "fits" with the individual practice. Some softwares might work better in some offices, while other softwares might work better in another. I think the purchaser should consider very carefully what the major criteria are and proceed from there.

[oceanlovin'ea]

Agree with Holland

I personally use Taxslayer Pro and it has suited my needs very well. A couple of times there were things that the program couldn't do. But support is excellent and I was able to work around my problem. All things said, it works for me right now.

There may come a time in my business that I will look at other programs and might need to upgrade to something else.

So each one has to evaluate how the program works with the kind of returns and clients they have.

As for price, we have to get the best we can with what we can afford to pay. Money does come into the equation for most of us small businesses, unfortunately.

Linda F

[dsi]

Lacerte has served my business needs quite well over the years. However, unlike many others who use Lacerte, I think they are very overpriced. Yes, I will be reviewing other software in the near future.

[sea-tax]

Lacerte has served my business needs quite well over the years. However, unlike many others who use Lacerte, I think they are very overpriced. Yes, I will be reviewing other software in the near future.

The funny thing is that this is the only real complaint I have ever heard about Lacerte is there price.
I mean people don't complain about Lacerte not working , not doing updates, the program not operating correctly or not calculating taxes properly. I think we as tax preparers need to take a long hard look at what are the most important factors when looking for software. I simply feel that price should not be the #1 factor. If I pay $500 for a program that has calculation problems or simply can't do some forms, then what does it matter that I only paid $500 it still is not useful to me.

Let Say for full-blown Lacerte for 1040 it costs like $3000.00. and If I do 150 returns it is like $20 per return. That is not a lot of money, in-fact most clients won't even complain if you raised the fee $20 per year. And for business returns I think Lacerte charges like 45 per return. I simply don't see why these prices are outrageous.

[dsi]

Sea Tax, you make great points. I guess my real beef with Intuit is they nickle and dime us to death. I loathe the fact that Intuit seems to have the market cornered when it comes to accounting products.

[Holland]

Is Lacerte the new God?

[QUOTE=sea-tax;42535]The funny thing is that this is the only real complaint I have ever heard about Lacerte is there price.
I mean people don't complain about Lacerte not working , not doing updates, the program not operating correctly or not calculating taxes properly. I think we as tax preparers need to take a long hard look at what are the most important factors when looking for software. I simply feel that price should not be the #1 factor. If I pay $500 for a program that has calculation problems or simply can't do some forms, then what does it matter that I only paid $500 it still is not useful to me.

Is it your position then, that no other tax software other than Lacerte will "work", "do updates", "not operate correctly", or "calculate taxes properly"?

[sea-tax]

[QUOTE=Holland;42540]

The funny thing is that this is the only real complaint I have ever heard about Lacerte is there price.
I mean people don't complain about Lacerte not working , not doing updates, the program not operating correctly or not calculating taxes properly. I think we as tax preparers need to take a long hard look at what are the most important factors when looking for software. I simply feel that price should not be the #1 factor. If I pay $500 for a program that has calculation problems or simply can't do some forms, then what does it matter that I only paid $500 it still is not useful to me.

Is it your position then, that no other tax software other than Lacerte will "work", "do updates", "not operate correctly", or "calculate taxes properly"?

Off course not, I can think of a couple Ultra Tax , Profx and Proseries. I just know that when I read these types of posts and speak with other professionals about there software I do not have any of the problems that they constantly talk about.

With any type of technology I really think you get what you pay for. If you buy a program for $500 bucks then you can't expect it to have all the features that a $3000 dollar program has, it is unrealistic.

[John of PA]

I agree Sea Tax

I agree Sea Tax. If you invest in good equipment or software, it pays for itself in efficiency. Ex: Back when Lacerte was very weak in Delaware software (did not do DE pass-thorugh entities until 3 years ago); I was loosing clients left and right in DE, becasue my time was so high I had to price myself out of the market. I am in PA but near the DE border) Had I used at the time the more expensive CCH, I probably would have done much better overall financially. Now that Lacerte is up to par for DE, there is no need for me to switch.

[John of PA]

Look out, Vista is coming

One other perspective here. If your software company is not raising thier fees more than a little; they will not be able to stay in business. The programming for the new Vista operating system will be a hugh expense for them and will probably thin out the vendor market even more (like the switch from DOS to Windows did).

[Lion]

TaxWorks

HRB bought TaxWorks/RedGear to market to their franchisees and other preparers, bundled with their new bank products for RALS, etc., called ANEW. ATX has new owners, also. I just reserved ProSeries Pro, but can cancel until its ship date in December. (The salesman promised me that if I get some returns that need Lacerte, they'll give me the program and charge just the per return fees.) I remember one or more programs offering billing as late as the end of tax season, if I can find that in any of my notes I'll post which ones. I decided OrrTax/IntelliTax is too much for the fast returns and RAL crowd. Still evaluating Lacerte, UltraTax CS, and Drake, and open to any and all comments and suggestions. An assistant would cost me about $3,000 for the season, so any price up to that is still a bargain if the software has good diagnostics, easy printing/collating and efiling, helpful tech support and message board, and can handle kiddie tax, NY and CT and other states, business entities, etc. Some companies are offering deals even this late, knowing there are lots of us ATXers out there still considering what to do.

[Bees Knees]

One other perspective here. If your software company is not raising their fees more than a little; they will not be able to stay in business. The programming for the new Vista operating system will be a hugh expense for them and will probably thin out the vendor market even more (like the switch from DOS to Windows did).

Vista can go jump in a lake, for all I care.

When will the video game programmers stop bothering us? For what purpose do I need 3D to do bookkeeping and tax returns? I could still be using the software I used 15 years ago to do accounting and bookkeeping, if it were not for the fact Windows keeps changing their operating system, to the demise of my older software.

I won't upgrade to Vista until I have no other choice.