Software

[BHoffman]

Drake

Not as pretty or comfy as Lacerte, but the price and support are unbeatable.

[Jiggers]

Appearance

I'm confused. I have seen tax returns prepared by other softwares and they all look the same to me. Plus I thought that the IRS dictated the look of them.

So- if you will, please educate me.

Thanks,
LT

Font size, for one. Drake prints various forms and schedules in different font sizes. sometimes different font sizes on the same page.

I like a very professional appearing cover letter. The quality of Drake is not up to par. In fact I don't use theirs. Takes a little longer using Word, but the output is better.

Drake forces you to use their attachments instead of generating your own, as they did in the past. For instance, the 1120, other deductions, when you go to that line, you have to scroll through their list of other deductions and get your client info to fit. Lots of times I have to use the blank lines at the end. Again, all caps for those descriptions while their list is in mixed type.

[thomtax]

I'm confused. I have seen tax returns prepared by other softwares and they all look the same to me. Plus I thought that the IRS dictated the look of them.

So- if you will, please educate me.

Thanks,
LT

[Jiggers]

Drake

While Drake has a fairly good software, there are always glitches. I always find something that doesn't make sense and when I ask Drake, I always get the response that "that is the way it is".

Then I have to go higher up in their system to get a better response.

I really hate to change from Drake since I have been with them for over 14 tax seasons.

I just wish that they would get their returns to print in a more professional type and appearance.

[LawrenceGR]

Bump up

I just wanted to bump this up now that it's getting late. This could enhance the THis is War thread.

[Greenbriar]

Proseries user

Have used it for many years without problems. Only annoyance is I can't remove the suggestion on the client analyzer (I think that's what it's called; I'm not at my office now) that they enroll in college courses to get the benefit of tuition credits. Explain that to a happily retired senior citizen. If that's all the problems I have, I'm happy. All processing has been trouble free and I efile everyting.

[Possi]

Taxwise for me

I have used Taxwise for about 8 years. Six on my own and 2 when I worked for a "Tax-in-the-Box" company.

I do not use them at all for income tax laws. I learned that right away. I only use tech help with program issues which are few.

I use my "virtual office" for tax help!

Thank you Lord!

~possi

[taxxcpa]

Another Drake user

is the way to go. My 5th year and still happy. User friendly, price if I renew in May is always $995. This includes 1040s, 1041s, 1065, 1120, 1120S, 990, all states
and all cost of efiling.
Support par excellence. This is a company that truly cares about its users, listens to their suggestions and implements most and I do mean most. They now market in that price a write up program that has active payroll. Have used the payroll function alot. The write occasionally as I have CLS but each year I check out the write up and just keeps getting better and better.

They do NOT get any better than Drake. Hired a young lady to help input for me this year and she had never worked in an accounting office, never even done her own return and was able from day 1 to use Drake. What more can I say!

AWESOME!!! AWESOME!!!! AWESOME!!!!!

I switched to Drake this year. Drake provides a forum where you can post your questions and comments. A Drake employee or another user has always answered every question I had. If it can't be answered on the forum, you can contact a technical support rep very easily. Once I had a question that they couldn't answer in writing, so the telephoned me and walked me through the solution to the problem.

I switched from Medlin Payroll to Drake's Client Write-up for all payroll and 1099MISC work, but have not used it for accounting since I've been using Peachtree for about 20 years.
There are a few quirks you have to learn, but mostly it is pretty straightforward.

The big plus is the customer support. I don't think any other company provides anything half as good--and I've tried ATX, TaxAct, TaxSlayer, ProSeries and Best Programs.

[LawrenceGR]

Just

wanted to bump this back to first page. We're getting close to the end. (I hope)

[SueBaby]

is the way to go. My 5th year and still happy. User friendly, price if I renew in May is always $995. This includes 1040s, 1041s, 1065, 1120, 1120S, 990, all states
and all cost of efiling.
Support par excellence. This is a company that truly cares about its users, listens to their suggestions and implements most and I do mean most. They now market in that price a write up program that has active payroll. Have used the payroll function alot. The write occasionally as I have CLS but each year I check out the write up and just keeps getting better and better.

They do NOT get any better than Drake. Hired a young lady to help input for me this year and she had never worked in an accounting office, never even done her own return and was able from day 1 to use Drake. What more can I say!

AWESOME!!! AWESOME!!!! AWESOME!!!!!

I have used Drake for 6 years and I second what you said about them too!!! Wonderful all around!!!

[Bonnie]

Tax Slayer Reply about converting prior year info

Changeing software scares the heck out of me,,,especially when I have around 1600 carryforewards.......


I knew Tax Slayer has a method of converting prior information for you so I emailed their support asking about how it works. The answer I received follows:

Good Afternoon,

For clients that have used other software providers we will do
conversion CD's. It will bring forward client's basic information as well as
depreciation. The best thing for your friend to do is to call our sales
line at 888-420-1040. That way they can ask any questions he or she has
and our sales department can give her the deadline when conversion
requests need to be in by.
Let us know if we can assist you any further! Have a great day!

[Bonnie]

Tax Slayer

also has a support option by email that works really well for me with questions that are not urgent and I do not need an immediate answer for. I can email them my question and within a short time I get an email back. If I need a quick answer then I call and have always had an answer right away.

[myerstaxes]

Second Year with Drake

And I am staying...This year I called Tech support on a reject, they answered so fast I was not ready to pose the question...On another problem with my first F982 rejecting, I used their email feature to upload the return...Nothing but nice, and fast and accomodating...That was not my experience with Proseries or TaxWise...Tried TaxWorks for one year, I really really loved that product and the support, but as a small preparer the costs were not good for me...Great folks they are, and again their product great!
With Drake, they do give you everything as has been said for one price, and for my pocketbook that is great...

[RLymanC]

TaxWise

support was non-existant this year...have been with them since 1989,,,getting VERY disappointed. I think I would be in big trouble if I ever really needed support. Changeing software scares the heck out of me,,,especially when I have around 1600 carryforewards....... but I'm about ready.

[Bonnie]

No thoughts of changing

as I am perfectly happy with Tax Slayer. My second year using it and I absolutly love it. So easy to use and for the price I don't think it can be beat. I can renew by May 1st for $795, new customers can purchase before May 1st for $825 which includes Federal and all States, free efiling and Business Forms 1120 1120S 1065 1041 990 and 5500. I don't call customer support often but when I do they answer quickly (meaning I am never placed on hold for long periods) and the are curteous and extremely helpful. I love the way it pulls forward prior year info and prefills lots of areas, a big time saver. I went to their seminar last fall and it was extremely helpful also. They are a company that cares.