What happen to ATX

[Lion]

Atx

I was appalled to find the forum gone late last night when I went to check on Trust and Gift Tax issues, both tax-related and software-related. I use Pay-Per-Return for about ten returns now but will go out on my own next season. I was pretty sure I'd purchase ATX this spring, because I know it a little and because I could find experienced users on their forum 24/7 to help a sole proprietor like me. Now, I'll start the search for software in May.

The one time I needed ATX's tech support (since most of the time my questions got answered on their forum), the techie said they usually doubled as sales support but this year would not be doing that; ATX was training a new crop of sales people that day. I liked the idea of someone who actually knows the software helping me choose the right package for my needs, and not someone who's skill is marketing. The nice techie (as we waited through downloads) talked to me about what I expect next year in my business and suggested the 1040 package that comes with three states (know I need NY & CT) and pay-per-return to cover the businesses and other entities and other states, too.

[LTS]

new program costs

Yesterday someone on the ATX community forum picked up the fact that their website indicates that their products have been severely downgraded in features. The basic $390 1040 package, which came with unlimited free e-filing, now has NO free e-filing. The all-states 1040 package (also with unlimited e-file) now has only 100 free e-files, etc.

See http://www.atxinc.com/products/prod_1040.aspx

that info just came out on the forum, and there was some negative reaction. more reaction was sure to follow, so they pulled the plug instead of dealing with the criticism.

[margebk]

Good old Google

I found this board thru a search. Glad I did see some names I am familiar with.
I don't think I have ever gotten so angry as I did this morning when I went to the ATX community and found that they had discontinued it prior to the season ending.

I think it stinks and I let them know. Not that they would care what I thought.

[RJM]

That board was the most educational for ATX users...

cuz it had so many threads dealing with making something work within the ATX software. For the first time, am considering a switch to another package. Hopefully competitors will pick up on this and beef up their ATX tax and accounting conversion features. -Bob

[Bees Knees]

Can't imagine why they would pull it at this stage of the tax season. Hope they change their mind.

The people making decisions in BIG corporations haven’t gone through a tax season in years, assuming any of them ever were in the tax business. Don’t hold your breath.

[HBurkholder]

What will I do now?

The past several years I have been using the pay per return option. Looks like that may have gone away.

[DonPriebe]

ATX product also downgraded

Yesterday someone on the ATX community forum picked up the fact that their website indicates that their products have been severely downgraded in features. The basic $390 1040 package, which came with unlimited free e-filing, now has NO free e-filing. The all-states 1040 package (also with unlimited e-file) now has only 100 free e-files, etc.

See http://www.atxinc.com/products/prod_1040.aspx

[winnie]

Missing ATX

Just checked this morning and it still isn't operating. Like this board, I found the ATX site very useful. Can't imagine why they would pull it at this stage of the tax season. Hope they change their mind.

I, too, have been using ATX for many, many seasons and have been staisfied. Just realized about the forum this year. Hopefully they will see that many questions that we would be asking tech support can be answered through the board.

[Connie]

With two weeks to go?!

I had posted a question out there and went to see the responses... With two weeks to go, what a stupid time to just discontinue the community! I felt like other preparers answered lots of the questions about the software issues and saved me from needing to call ATX. Sure makes me wonder about ATX. Some of the people out there were very knowledgable and so giving of their assistance. I feel ATX has acted VERY unprofessional by not even sending us an email or notifying us in anyway about this. I am extremely disappointed in ATX.

I hope to find new friends out here and see some of my old friends too!

[cpadan]

Posted on another board

This was posted on another board today: (http://lists.ucg.com/read/login/?list=taxtalk)

"I called ATX. There response was "we found that a small amount of ATX use
the community" and it was often for discussions that had little subject
matter that had to do with the community". It was in their best interest to
discontinue to focus on resources, ensuring that we deliver the best
software that we offer to our customer.........."Laurie

Personally, I gladly switched from Pro Series to ATX several years ago before they went through the growth spurt and related growing pains. I have had very few problems,(just make sure your computer has plenty of horse power under the hood!) Most of the complaints I heard were from those trying to get a jump on the RAL market.

The ATX board got alot better after they added a seperate forum for E-filing. I think they are making a big mistake and this will add to their backlog in support.
Dan

[OldJack]

Well, I guess traffic here will pick up. Not all bad I guess.

Tis not a good thing... there are already to many people on here for me to argue with.

[outwest]

I'm also disappointed..

the company sure feels a lot more distant now. Even though I really like the breath and reach of the program. Any return or form I need has been there. From a CO serverance tax to a Louisville Ky city occupation tax. And the 1099 and w2/payroll tax forms systems were on the verge of becoming my mainstay. Very satisfied this year.

I suspect the "this form should be ready/ this should be automatic/ you're killing my business" frantic-panic folks didn't help the image at corporate. Especially if other companies were pulling those comments into marketing.

Well, I guess traffic here will pick up. Not all bad I guess.

[OldJack]

I get the same message. CCH must have decided that it cost too much to continue running the thing. As far as the guy that was in charge of the thing... If he was also discontinued it would be a good thing.

[Joe Btfsplk]

ATX user

I've used ATX for several years. Many of us have voiced complaints about different things about ATX, but kept on using it for all of the positive things about it. One big positive was the message board. Dropping it can't possibly be advantageous to keeping old customers and attracting new ones.

The message board made you feel as if you had a personal relationship with the company. Usually I found that any problem I had could be solved by posting an inquiry on the board.
Now, I will probably have to call Technical Support and wait an hour for someone to talk to about it.

It will definitely cause a drop in customer loyalty.

[erchess]

I have never been on the ATX Communities

but I have seen reference to alleged negative comments on ATX' customer support allegedly drawn from the ATX Communities. The references were in advertising by Pro Series.

Since you are obviously an ATX user, I would like to know what package you have and how you like it.