Software again

[Chief]

After considering three other software programs I have made the decision to renew with TaxSlayer Pro. I have been with them for several years and have been thoroughly satisfied with their product and support staff. It is good when you call someone to speak with another tax preparer who understands your situation. Not to mention the least in my mother tongue of the deep south.
It scares me to contemplate changing and relearning another software from the standpoint of being familiar with something and having files of past returns in its program. I hope the company never goes out of business or merge with a larger corporation.
Back several years ago Ken in Arizona told me to go with TaxSlayer Pro and I would be singing its praises. He was so right. Snag you are so right. Linda F you are so right.
No software is a panacea for all situations but TS Pro comes nearer to that goal than any that I know about. If you are considering a change take a look at it.

[Holland]

I did look at it

After considering three other software programs I have made the decision to renew with TaxSlayer Pro. I have been with them for several years and have been thoroughly satisfied with their product and support staff. It is good when you call someone to speak with another tax preparer who understands your situation. Not to mention the least in my mother tongue of the deep south.
It scares me to contemplate changing and relearning another software from the standpoint of being familiar with something and having files of past returns in its program. I hope the company never goes out of business or merge with a larger corporation.
Back several years ago Ken in Arizona told me to go with TaxSlayer Pro and I would be singing its praises. He was so right. Snag you are so right. Linda F you are so right.
No software is a panacea for all situations but TS Pro comes nearer to that goal than any that I know about. If you are considering a change take a look at it.

I gave it a thorough test last summer, ran a couple dozen returns through it. I was very unimpressed, to put it mildly. It had so few Hawaii forms and schedules that I had to complete most of my test returns by hand. Just goes to show that there is no perfect software, each of us has to carefully evaluate alternatives.

[veritas]

Christopher how do you

do online efile? I looked at your website and am curious.

Have you looked at Lacerte?

[Holland]

Online efile

do online efile? I looked at your website and am curious.

Have you looked at Lacerte?

I am using Drake (for now), (until I find something better). Drake supplies all customers with the opportunity to link directly to their hosted server. When someone uses my site, they go to Drake and use the Drake software. The Drake site collects ~10-~15 bucks from each user (I used to be free, but now Drake has a minimum). I get most of this, Drake keeps the rest. If someone tries to do their own return and gives up, I am able to download their efforts into my server with a few keystrokes. Then I can finish their return, but then I charge my normal rates. Drake does it this way as an attempt to provide a on-line tax preparation system while not stabbing their customers in the back.

As for Lacerte, I worked one tax season for an office that used Lacerte. I thought it was pretty horrible. I certainly would never consider using it in my practice.

[veritas]

Horrible?

I have never heard anyone say that about Lacerte (other than the price).

When did you try it and what was it that made it so bad?

That efile feature by Drake seems ingenious. Did you get much business from it?

[joanmcq]

I didn't like Lacerte either. Being used to ATX, I kept trying to 'hop' from the form to the entry, and dependent returns took forever because I couldn't find the check box for 'can be claimed as a dependent'. I didn't find the entry intuitive at all. And I learned on Profx, which has data entry screens (and some hard to find entries too), but the forms based appoach of ATX is sooooo easy!

[Chief]

My limited experrience with HI returns

Back 3 or 4 years ago I did a HI NR return for the sale of a rental condo. The info on the federal flowed quite well to the HI return. The only problem at the time was that HI did not accept e filing. For 2007 I again did a HI return for a couple for interest received from a HI sale. Again the information from the federal flowed quite well to the HI. Because the man died a few days ago HI would not accept efiling and the return was mailed.
Chris, you are right, however that one should be careful in selecting software because once you have a program for a few years it is harder to change. A lots depend on your local situation. For my situation here on the west coast of south Florida TaxSlayer Pro fits the bill.

[sea-tax]

I didn't like Lacerte either. Being used to ATX, I kept trying to 'hop' from the form to the entry, and dependent returns took forever because I couldn't find the check box for 'can be claimed as a dependent'. I didn't find the entry intuitive at all. And I learned on Profx, which has data entry screens (and some hard to find entries too), but the forms based appoach of ATX is sooooo easy!

Wow Joan I am certainly shocked to here that about Lacerte. The dependant item you are refering to is on the client info tab just under were you enter the DOB. It has three options " not applicable", Claimed as a dependant"and "could be claimed as a dependant".It also has a nice Link Tool to link the parents and childs tax returns to calculate the kiddie tax. I have always used lacerte, and other than the price have never heard another complaint from those that use it often.
It allows my firms to prepare over thousands of returns flawlessly. To each his/her own I guess.

[Gene V]

I’m another user of Lacerte, I use Drake’s program every year to compare it with Lacerte, just haven’t been able to transfer over to Drake yet. Just two many little things that Lacerte does that Drake doesn’t.

To mention a few:

1. If you are using the Learning or Hope credit, Lacerte will automatically figure which to use the credit or tuition and fee, if they use the credit, then the program will automatically input the tuition subtraction on the Oregon return. With Drake, you have to input the figures both ways to see which one gives you the best tax brake, if you do use the credit, then you manually have to access the Oregon input sheet and insert the tuition subtraction for the Oregon return.

2. Lacerte will automatically figure the EIC, by just using the input information you use for the wages and investment income and children information. With Drake, you have to access the form 8867 and check all the boxes that apply, plus you have to check some boxes on the children input sheet.

3. Lacerte does the 1116 automatically; you don’t have to access the screen like Drake requires you to do, plus you manaully have to go to the Oregon screen and put in the credit for Oregon subtraction..

Like I said, I try Drake every year to see how much they improve, but they just haven’t improved enough for me to change. I keep hoping, because their price is so much lower then Lacerte.

[sandigi]

Sorting Out Software-NATP Survey

I was researching software that you have all mentioned and I found this NATP 2007 survey. They received 3,129 member responses and have done some nice comparison charts. You can find it here:

http://www.drakesoftware.com/pdf/general/2007softwaresurveyresults.pdf

[wvtaxguy]

Great Stats - Thanks!

Thanks for providing this info. I'm sure it will aid in my evaluation since I'm fairly certain I'll be changing my s/w for next season.

[sandigi]

2007 Reader's Choice Awards. CPA Tech Advisor

Thanks for providing this info. I'm sure it will aid in my evaluation since I'm fairly certain I'll be changing my s/w for next season.

You are welcome wvtaxguy. I've been googling for half the night and the 2007 NATP survey has the best comparison charts I have found yet. I'm actually cleaning out a pile of stuff I got from the exhibits at the IRS Forum September 2007 (yes, I know, I have a filing problem!) But I found a "show special" flyer. Any of you that go to the IRS forum or other tax seminars might want to know TaxSlayer Pro last year was normally $995, $825 "show special."

I wonder if Drake has a "show special"? Any body know? Looks like they have a very loyal client base.

I found another site that has software reviews. It is the "2007 Readers' Choice Awards" from CPA Technology Advisor. Their 2008 Readers' Choice Awards will be published in August, which will be the popularity of the 2007 software. This link is:

http://www.cpatechnologyadvisor.com/publication/article.jsp?pubId=1&id=1875&pageNum=1

I like the NATP chart that shows the Product Satisfaction Rating. And another chart shows the % who will definitely use that software next year, and definitely not use.

[sea-tax]

I’m another user of Lacerte, I use Drake’s program every year to compare it with Lacerte, just haven’t been able to transfer over to Drake yet. Just two many little things that Lacerte does that Drake doesn’t.

To mention a few:

1. If you are using the Learning or Hope credit, Lacerte will automatically figure which to use the credit or tuition and fee, if they use the credit, then the program will automatically input the tuition subtraction on the Oregon return. With Drake, you have to input the figures both ways to see which one gives you the best tax brake, if you do use the credit, then you manually have to access the Oregon input sheet and insert the tuition subtraction for the Oregon return.

2. Lacerte will automatically figure the EIC, by just using the input information you use for the wages and investment income and children information. With Drake, you have to access the form 8867 and check all the boxes that apply, plus you have to check some boxes on the children input sheet.

3. Lacerte does the 1116 automatically; you don’t have to access the screen like Drake requires you to do, plus you manaully have to go to the Oregon screen and put in the credit for Oregon subtraction..

Like I said, I try Drake every year to see how much they improve, but they just haven’t improved enough for me to change. I keep hoping, because their price is so much lower then Lacerte.

May I also add the easy use of the Kiddie tax tool which links the mother/father with the child and automatically fills in the needed info.
Also the ability to import a Gain Loss report from excel directly into sch d.
The ability to create a missing information list directly from Lacerte by highlighting a box and emailing it directly to client.
The list of time saving features just seems to go on and on. Worth every penny.

[veritas]

And

lacerte has a very easy network install. An easy upgrade for updates(online or cd).

I called support once this year and got an immediate answer.

You can drill down from the tax form to the input screen on most forms.

I have rarely come across a form I needed to prepare manually or an election for that matter.