2024 Professional Tax Software
Review & Comparison Chart

Professional Tax Software Reviews

UltimateTax

But what about the product itself? UltimateTax gets good reviews on that, too. The company makes easy-to-use, feature-rich tax preparation software for both desktop and online platforms. UltimateTax gives tax preparers two modes for processing tax forms. One is data form entry mode, which simply presents a tax form to be filled out with information. The other is interview mode, which guides you through the process of completing a tax form with prompts and indicators.

Price Range: $388 – $1,188 (Desktop / $888 (Online)

Summary: UltimateTax offers affordable, simple, and accurate tax preparation software for tax pros who mainly prepare individual returns (Form 1040s). It supports business returns as well. UltimateTax’s most comprehensive package⁠—which includes unlimited corporate returns—is one of the most affordable corporate returns solutions on the market.

UltimateTax might not be one of the big names in tax prep software, but it has been around for 20 years, providing excellent customer satisfaction. It’s a tried and tested product, just as capable as any other solution on the market. And its user base is steadily growing.

Personalized Service

We’d like to highlight the one great advantage of using a less than mega-popular product. And that’s the more personalized brand of service that customers can receive! UltimateTax serves thousands of customers rather than hundreds of thousands, so the company can devote more time and resources to each individual subscriber. Their support team isn’t gonna get stretched thin!

At a time when many companies are moving to integrate AI virtual representatives in their support services, UltimateTax is sticking with human support team members⁠—no AI can truly be as supportive, empathetic and friendly as a real person. 

No surprise, great customer service is one of the big selling points of UltimateTax! That’s according to trusted user reviews on Google and TrustPilot.com. “When ever I need some technical support, they respond quickly. It really feels like they are family. I thought about leaving last year but the trust I developed with them forced me to stay,” notes one review. “Their customer service and assistance to get you comfortable with their program is second to none,” says another. And so it goes. Review after review singles out UltimateTax’s top-notch customer support. 

A look at the stats shows the deep dedication of the UltimateTax customer service team. The company’s First Call resolution is at 94.30%. UltimateTax’s Customer Satisfaction Rating is a whopping 98.12%! Hold times are very minimal to the point of hardly existing. When hold times do happen, it’s on the busiest days of the tax season. The longest hold time on record is 6 minutes, and no other customer call came close to that. Indeed, around 99.5% of UltimateTax customer care calls have 0 hold time!

Easy-to-Use Tax Software

But what about the product itself? UltimateTax gets good reviews on that, too. The company makes easy-to-use, feature-rich tax preparation software for both desktop and online platforms. UltimateTax gives tax preparers two modes for processing tax forms. One is data form entry mode, which simply presents a tax form to be filled out with information. The other is interview mode, which guides you through the process of completing a tax form with prompts and indicators.

When completing tax forms in UltimateTax, you can access a built-in help box with comprehensive and context-sensitive advisories. Smart diagnostics can review processed returns and warn you if there are errors or omissions. Don’t experience the hassle of submitting a return only to have it get rejected! Ensure 100% accuracy in your tax form e-filings!

UltimateTax’s Easy Software Interface prioritizes simplicity and usability. The quick access buttons on its Launch Pad feature can be customized to suit your preferences.

You can enjoy paperless filing (if you have an EFIN), detailed reports, real-time progress status on filed returns, regular automatic back-ups (to ensure that your data is protected), e-signature support, check printing and bank product rebates.

Free software data conversions are available to customers who are switching from another program. Software specialists are on standby to provide technical assistance at no additional charge.

Price Break-Down for UltimateTax

Four different UltimateTax packages are available to meet the needs of various users, from new tax preparers to industry veterans.

Note that UltimateTax pay-per-return rates are the lowest you can find in any pay-per-return package available on the market! The closest one in comparison, TaxAct Pay-Per-Return, charges a rate almost $5 higher.

No setup charge is included in any of the UltimateTax packages.

UltimateTax Pay-Per-Return

UltimateTax Pay-Per-Return offers great value to the new tax preparer dipping their toes in the business. Priced at the super affordable rate of $388, UltimateTax PPR is perfect for anyone who wants to quickly get a mini tax office up and running, with support for 1040 tax forms, including federal and all states. The cost for preparing 1040s is only $20 per return.

As of 2025, UltimateTax PPR also lets you prepare partnership and corporate returns upon request: 1120, 1120S, 1065, 1041 and others. The cost for preparing these is $40 per return⁠—a very good price compared to other tax prep solutions.

While it’s well-suited for use by an individual tax preparer, UltimateTax PPR allows for quick expansion in case you need it. The software supports up to 10 users out of the box! No need to send a request to customer support, no need to pay extra for additional accounts. Add up to 10 user accounts as you require—hassle-free!

Another great feature of UltimateTax PPR: you can access your tax software from anywhere using an internet connection. Easily pull up client data via web browsers during a face-to-face meeting, using your laptop or tablet.

UltimateTax 1040 Online

UltimateTax 1040 Online is a step up from the PPR package. This one works well for the small tax office catering to several hundred clients. The package comprises free e-filing, free unlimited 1040 returns both federal and state (all states included), and business returns available upon request. 

UltimateTax Online 1040 is perfect for the on-the-go professional. You don’t need to install anything. Access the online tax software from anywhere, file unlimited 1040 returns electronically, view real-time progress reports, and grant account access to as many as 10 users at once. It doesn’t matter whether you’re on the road or meeting a client at their place⁠—you can access the software and review client data with your laptop or mobile device. UltimateTax Online 1040 offers peerless mobility.

UltimateTax Desktop Products

UltimateTax Desktop is nearly identical to 1040 Online in terms of features, functions and supported tax forms and schedules. The key difference is that it needs to be installed on your office computers. UltimateTax Desktop lacks some of the mobility features of 1040 Online—such as accessibility on different types of devices, including Macbooks and other Apple products. It does have the distinct advantage of supporting unlimited user accounts.

UltimateTax 1040 + Corporate is a more advanced desktop solution. This package will serve many CPAs and EAs very well. UltimateTax 1040 + Corporate supports 1040 and corporate returns, all states included, W-2/1099 forms, and prior year tax returns. Unlimited user accounts are provided.

With an MSRP of $1,188, UltimateTax Desktop 1040+ Corporate is one of the most affordable corporate returns solutions on the market.

Customer Support and Bank Products

UltimateTax places a strong emphasis on customer support, offered through its 365 Service. An in-house team provides year-round technical assistance at no additional cost to UltimateTax subscribers. You can contact a help agent via phone, email or live chat. All customer support agents are based in the USA.

Alternatively, you can search for topics at the Solutions Center hosted on the UltimateTax website. You can check out troubleshooting articles or videos.

UltimateTax helps you maximize your earnings through bank products that you can offer your clients. You can get bank product options that let your firm process IRS refunds faster for clients⁠—to earn you additional revenue through rebates. UltimateTax has partnered with EPS Financial, Refund Advantage and the Santa Barbara Tax Products Group (TPG) to offer you this service. (For customers in the states of Arkansas, Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Maryland and New York that prohibit standard bank products, UltimateTax offers a FeeCollect option.)

For your information, UltimateTax works in partnership with TaxWise for tax calculations and e-filing functions. The UltimateTax software adds several proprietary features, including 365 Service and the easy-to-use Launchpad workflow optimizer.

ATX by Wolters Kluwer

Price Range: $799 – $5,879 (desktop only)

Summary: Professional tax software that provides a large number of IRS forms and schedules including most business tax forms. It is a desktop application, and an expensive program compared to other software options (even products from the same company). It is best used by established tax pros who require regular access to a massive library of tax forms.

ATX software prices are on the higher end⁠—by a good margin. If you’re a novice tax preparer, you’ll appreciate the option of getting the ATX Pay-Per-Return System, which is the lowest costing ATX software package. But this, too, is relatively pricey compared to its counterparts, although ATX Pay-Per-Return System does offer a tad more functionality than other PPRs.

All in all, the appeal of ATX mainly lies with its feature-loaded software packages. The question is whether your tax office would benefit enough from ATX’s features and services to justify the package cost. They can be very good features to have, but is it worth paying a premium for them? It feels that ATX is best suited to a large tax preparation firm that caters to big corporate clients. Indeed, online reviews of ATX included comments such as: “The program can do so much more than I need it to do. It is therefore priced itself out of my range”

It might help to think of ATX by Wolters Kluwer as a “luxury car model” of the tax preparers software sphere. It may be a cut above, but more economical options can also get the job done⁠—that is, they’ll get you to where you need to go.

Even if you are willing to pay the current price of ATX software, bear in mind that the payment only covers a single tax year. There’s a likelihood of the price going up, which means that next year you’ll pay a little more, then the year after that, you’ll pay a little more again, and so on.

Features of ATX by Wolters Kluwer

One of ATX’s top features is support for a comprehensive tax form library. Subscribers can access around 6,000 tax compliance forms, including most business returns. This begs the question of whether your business would ever need access to such a phenomenal number of tax forms.

Along with the tax form library, ATX provides a couple of research resources for finding information quickly. These include the U.S. Master Tax Guide and the CCH AnswerConnect service (different tiers of this service are tied to different packages).

The software has a forms-based interface that is easy to use. You also get in-line help options on the tax form entry screen. And ATX provides two alternative ways for filling out the electronic tax form. Users can choose the direct entry method or the interview method. 

One thing to note: a cursory glance at customer reviews online suggests that the ATX program interface is not as easy or intuitive compared to other tax preparers software. However, the findings of The Tax Adviser’s 2024 Tax Software Survey obtained a different result suggesting that ATX does have good ease of use. It is probable that the 2024 survey respondents are largely experienced tax pros.

Also, if you are looking for a cloud-based software solution, ATX might not be the right choice for you. It is a desktop application, although you can pay for a service that enables ATX software cloud hosting. This is not a service provided by Wolters Kluwer, so you must go with a third-party provider of such a service.

Price Breakdown for ATX Tax Software Packages

Here’s a chart showing the price/package options for ATX professional tax software:

The Wolters Kluwer website does not publicize the rates for filing returns under the ATX Pay–Per–Return System. The prices shown in the chart reflect the PPR filing costs from a previous year, and the actual current price may differ.

The price for the ATX Pay–Per–Return System plan includes a non-refundable $300 deposit towards returns. 

Also, note that the prices shown on the chart reflect the base price for each of the ATX plans. But buyers will also need to pay an extra, one-time processing fee of $48.50 when purchasing the plan on the Wolters Kluwer website.

Optional Add-On Features

After purchasing a package, you can get ATX add-ons that will expand the functionality of the software. The following list shows these optional add-ons and their corresponding prices:

• Advanced Calculations and Compliance: $695 (included in the ATX Advantage plan)
• Enhanced Asset Management: $440 (included in the ATX Advantage plan)
• Return Retrieval: $199

As you can see, the most expensive plan, ATX Advantage, comes bundled with two of these additional features.

Return Retrieval is a purchasable add-on which is not a native feature of any of the plans. This supplemental feature establishes a secure backup solution to guard against the loss of client files. It’s something that every high-volume tax practice really needs to have.

ATX Pay–Per–Return System & ATX 1040

The ATX Pay-Per-Return System (PRS) is most suitable to the new tax preparer who will be filing a low volume of returns. The advantage of this software package compared to many PPR deals is that you are not limited to Form 1040s. You can file any combination of returns, whether that includes individual or business returns, federal or state returns, or more specialized forms.

ATX 1040 is the second most affordable package after the PRS option. This plan is limited to three states and 75 free e-filings.

ATX 1040 comes with a research tool, CCH AnswerConnect Primary Sources. Note that it is not as comprehensive as the research tools included in the higher-priced software packages. CCH AnswerConnect grants tax pros access to expert answers on tax law and compliance. In 2024, the company added an AI-powered research tool that provides you with customized responses to queries, based on the existing tax knowledge and documentation the AI was trained on.

Other features include e-signature support, payroll compliance reporting and the Check Return Track diagnostics tool for returns.

Other ATX Packages

ATX Max is the company’s most popular package. This ATX software version includes all state and federal returns along with unlimited free e-filing. Overall it has the same features you will find in ATX 1040. But for its research tool, ATX Max carries the CCH AnswerConnect Prime Package, an upgrade from the one you get with ATX 1040.

ATX Total Tax Office offers almost the same bundle of features as ATX Max. The primary difference is the inclusion of the most comprehensive research tool option, the CCH AnswerConnect Expert Package.

ATX Advantage is the same, but also includes concierge care and conversion services. Enhanced Asset Management and Advanced Calculations and Compliance come with this package⁠—no need to purchase them as add-ons.

Tech Support

On the Wolters Kluwer website, you can access a dedicated support center for ATX products. You can search an extensive knowledge base for solutions to your software issues, or enjoy a live chat with a virtual agent. 

The company also provides phone support during operational hours, which are specified on the support center page.

CCH ProSystem fx Tax

Price Range: Up-market software, must request quote as price varies depending on modules acquired.

Summary: High-end, on-premise tax pro solution priced at a premium. Delivers greater functionality when integrated with other CCH ProSystem fx Suite applications. Price not stated—you must request a quote, as price varies depending on modules acquired.

Wolters Kluwer offers a whole suite of CCH ProSystem fx software products. This review will focus on CCH ProSystem fx Tax. It is a highly automated tax compliance system combined with an office manager. It aims to maximize speed and efficiency while maintaining general ease of use.

CCH ProSystem fx Tax is ideal for an accounting firm that provides client-facing tax services. It is not the best match for a solo entrepreneur running a small tax preparation business.

CCH ProSystem fx Tax software professional services run as an on-premise installation. If you prefer to use an online application, you could consider CCH Axcess Tax. While it is technically a separate product, CCH Axcess Tax offers the same functionality, more or less. And it is a cloud-based application available via online access from anywhere.

A few years ago, there was some indication that Wolters Kluwer was pushing its customers to switch to CCH Axcess Tax from CCH ProSystem fx Tax. But today, CCH ProSystem fx Tax is still very much alive. Our theory is that Wolters Kluwer is aligning CCH ProSystem fx Tax more with accountancy firms and CCH Axcess Tax more with tax professionals in particular. Confusingly, Wolters Kluwer is offering two other professional tax software products: ATX and TaxWise

Pricing and Features

Wolters Kluwer does not give a set price for CCH ProSystem fx Tax or CCH Axcess Tax. It appears that the price can vary depending on the number of users and the specific modules obtained. Subscribers can purchase modules individually or bundled together. Available modules include Individual, Partnership, Corporation, Exempt Organization, Estate and Gift, Fiduciary and Employee Benefit Plan.

CCH ProSystem fx Tax is certainly a robust software solution. It supports e-filing for thousands of calculating forms and schedules. These include federal, state, city and county returns. Among others, the software supports Forms 1040, 1041, 1065, 1120, 1120S, 990, and 5500.

The program features automatic calculations that make return processing fast and efficient. Form eligibility can be checked via diagnostics, which flags any errors and omissions. CCH ProSystem fx Tax software also includes a tool to check the e-file status of a return. It even supports checking the e-file status from a mobile device.

The main interface of CCH ProSystem fx Tax provides quick access to the software tools, including the client list, return list, search box and a handy toolbar. Users can customize the toolbar, adding or removing buttons until they have the configuration they prefer.

Software Integrations

CCH ProSystem fx Tax is a good choice for the user who wants to get the other CCH ProSystem fx Suite applications. You can use them together to create various synergies that can enhance your tax office workflow—particularly a digital workflow.

For example, you can use CCH ProSystem fx Scan and Autoflow Technology with CCH ProSystem fx Tax to achieve effective 1040/1041 data import from scanned documents.

Your tax practice can store client information, electronic workpapers and other information using CCH ProSystem fx Document. You can do intensive research via access to the Wolters Kluwer knowledge base using CCH AnswerConnect.

Other suite applications include CCH ProSystem fx Fixed Assets, CCH ProSystem fx Knowledge Coach, CCH ProSystem fx Engagement, CCH ProSystem fx Planning, CCH ProSystem fx Practice Management and CCH ProSystem fx Workpaper Manager software.

These software solutions can be on-premise, hosted by you. Alternatively, they can be hosted on the cloud. The ease of integration between a software application and CCH ProSystem fx Tax will vary depending on where the solution is hosted.

Tech Support

CCH ProSystem fx Tax customers who need tax information or technical support can call for assistance or chat with a virtual representative. They can also access an online knowledge base where they can search for help info and look up product release notes.

TaxWise

Price Range: $1,565 – $3,606 (desktop) / $356 – $3,606 (online)

Summary: TaxWise provides desktop and software based packages, with the online application specialized in the processing of individual 1040 returns. Add-ons like a mobile app are available at an extra cost.

TaxWise operates under the banner of Wolters Kluwer, the same company that offers ATX tax preparers software. Unlike ATX, TaxWise provides a cloud-based version of their application. But a desktop version is also available for tax pros who prefer that option.

TaxWise used to offer a low-cost Pay-Per-Return package, which is not currently being offered for the desktop version. TaxWise Online Limited is now the lowest priced option providing a pay-per-return only solution.

Features of TaxWise

While TaxWise software provides forms and features that let you prepare and file taxes, and a central office management tool, certain functions and services are only available as purchasable add-ons. These include mobile app access and a refund estimator.

All TaxWise software packages come with e-signature support. However, extra costs are involved. Each e-signature use requires a $4.25 payment.

In terms of interface design, TaxWise has a simple and straightforward look and feel. Maybe not exactly a “jump into it” ease of use, but you face a relatively short learning curve to figure it out. Main functions are navigated via the dashboard, from which you can get to the tax returns, the e-filing area, text and email messaging, and the digital reports.

TaxWise offers both standard tax form entry and interview mode. The interview mode provides guide questions for a new user or new tax preparer working to complete a tax form. It assists one in filling out the tax information correctly without skipping anything of importance. The diagnostics tool adds an extra layer of accuracy checking to prevent errors that may result in rejected e-filings.

Comparing TaxWise with UltimateTax shows that the tax software programs offer similar features: on-premise and online application options, form-entry and interview modes, interface customization, diagnostics, online tax preparation and bank product integration.

Price Breakdown for TaxWise

With the two products sharing many similarities, customers are left to look at how their prices compare. TaxWise has fairly competitive market pricing, but it remains significantly more expensive than its UltimateTax counterpart across several categories of price and package.

TaxWise Online Limited buyers are required to pay an extra, one-time processing fee of $29 when purchasing the plan on the Wolters Kluwer website.

Unlimited Package, 400 Package and 100 Package buyers are required to pay an extra, one-time processing fee of $59 when purchasing the plan on the Wolters Kluwer website.

Optional Add-On Features

TaxWise software features can be supplemented by various add-ons that provide useful and convenient functionality. None of the TaxWise plans includes these add-on features by default. They can only be accessed by purchasing them separately.

Not all add-ons are available for all TaxWise plans. The TaxWise Mobile add-on is only for TaxWise Online packages. Similarly, the Refund Estimator add-on is only available for TaxWise Desktop packages.

Here’s a list of the optional add-ons and their corresponding prices:

• TaxWise Mobile: $431 (for TaxWise Online only)
• Return Retrieval: $139 (for TaxWise Desktop only)
• TaxWise Expert Services: $323
• Refund Estimator: $99
• Textellent Integration: price varies by package
• Prior Year Individual 1040 & Business E-File ($5.50)

As you can see, the most expensive plan, ATX Advantage, comes bundled with two of these additional features.

Return Retrieval is a file backup system that lets you restore returns previously e-filed through the application. You can use it to retrieve e-filed tax returns of the current year and two prior years. If you have multiple tax offices, each purchase of the Return Retrieval service is enabled for use by just a single office. You will need to purchase the service separately for each office. This service is only able to retrieve the following types of federal and state returns: 1040, 1120, 1120S, 1065, 1041, 990, 5500

Refund Estimator sets up a customizable website that works like a very basic client portal. Tax preparers can direct clients to the website to get a quick estimate of their federal refund.

Textellent is a service that provides an automated text messaging platform that can be integrated with your professional tax software. For example, the platform can automatically send your client a message to notify them of an update concerning their return or refund.

TaxWise Online Limited

The online-only pay-per-return plan lets you file individual 1040 returns, both federal and state (all states included). The application also supports business returns (including 1065 and 1120S), both federal and state (all states included). 

TaxWise charges you $35 per individual return and $55 per business return. This pricing is consistent across all of their packages.

Other TaxWise Packages

The 100 Package (available for desktop or online) is a plan that includes 100 individual 1040 returns free of charge. After e-filing 100 returns, additional returns can be processed at the same pay-per-return rates as the TaxWise Online Limited plan. 

The 100 package also comes with the CCH AnswerConnect Mini Package from Wolters Kluwer. This is a service that helps subscribers get answers to their questions on tax law. It provides reference materials and lets users access the U.S. Master Tax Guide and primary sources. TaxWise subscribers can also browse the TaxWise Online Education Video Library. All kinds of tutorial and training videos can be explored to expand users’ understanding of the software and the tax preparation process.

The 400 Package is the most popular plan among TaxWise subscribers. It is almost the same as the 100 package, only it supports 400 total tax returns. 

As its name suggests, the Unlimited Package includes unlimited tax returns. It also has an upgraded version of the CCH AnswerConnect service⁠—it comes with the Prime Package. In all other respects, it carries the same features and functions as the other TaxWise plans.

Mobile Apps, Bank Products and Tech Support

If you purchase it as an add-on, TaxWise Mobile lets your clients use a mobile app to get started on their tax return. The app conducts a kind of interview to gather client information.

TaxWise offers bank product integration with the following partners: Santa Barbara Tax Products Group (TPG), Republic Bank, Refund Advantage and EPS.

Customer support is available via a Solution Center on the Wolters Kluwer web site. The center hosts a troubleshooting knowledge base and “ask the community” section. You can also chat with a virtual representative or call the customer support desk (during operational hours only).

CrossLink

Price Range: $1,795 (desktop/online)

Summary: CrossLink software is pitched at high-volume retail tax preparation businesses. Its flagship product is CrossLink 1040 Desktop. An online software version is available.

As a software solution for high-volume tax return preparation, CrossLink is well-suited to businesses serving hundreds of clients. It’s not necessarily the go-to option for someone just starting out, or maintaining a limited clientele count. 

The flagship version is CrossLink 1040, which is available on desktop and online platforms. CrossLink 1040 Desktop and CrossLink 1040 Online are priced the same. As the name suggests, the software lets you file individual 1040 returns. If you want to prepare and file business returns through a CrossLink application, you’ll need to acquire the CrossLink Business software as well. This software is fully integrated with CrossLink 1040⁠—either Desktop or Online.

CrossLink Business comes in two “flavors.” Unlimited ($999) places no limitations on the number of business 1040 returns you can process. Pay-Per-Return ($600) will incur costs of $35 per federal individual return and $0 per state individual return.

Price Breakdown for CrossLink

Here’s a quick reference chart for the Crosslink packages and prices:

CrossLink 1040 Desktop

CrossLink 1040 Desktop features a simple interface that is easy to navigate. It can be described as decidedly unexciting, but that’s par for the course with tax preparation software, isn’t it? The focus is on functionality. CrossLink 1040 Desktop requires the Windows 10 or Windows 11 operating system⁠—but take note that Windows 11 Home edition does not support some peripheral features of the program.

CrossLink claims that its software provides high-speed, accurate tax return processing that lets you deliver legitimate tax refunds and bank products to your clients with little delay. “Speed” seems to be the company byword, and it is alluded to frequently in CrossLink’s promotional materials. As for accuracy, CrossLink offers its Point-and-Shoot Error Correction diagnostics tool to help you achieve that. It is a fairly elegant solution that points you to calculation and data entry errors without having to switch between too many screens. 

You can use CrossLink 1040 for e-filing with ease. CrossLink implements a Work-In-Progress Screen with an instant status display for e-filed tax returns. This will keep you up to date on IRS acknowledgements, rejections and bank product check availability.

CrossLink 1040 supports automatic tax calculators that can handle state tax returns (all states), city tax returns and home-based business filing for Schedules A, C, E, F, and K-1, plus Forms 2106 and 4835.

CrossLink 1040 Online

CrossLink 1040 Online works like the desktop version and has the expected simple, unexciting and easy-to-use interface. The program can be run on Windows, Mac OS and mobile devices including tablets⁠—basically any internet-accessible device should be able to run it. 

As tax preparation software, CrossLink 1040 Online is designed to serve as a scalable solution, just as usable by a new tax preparer as an established service bureau.

CrossLink Business

​If you wish to get support for business forms, CrossLink Business tax software can be purchased additionally, and it integrates with either CrossLink 1040 Desktop or CrossLink 1040 Online. CrossLink Business enables the processing and filing of federal and state business tax returns.

Another handy feature of CrossLink Business is its management dashboard, which consolidates project supervision of multiple tax offices. If you have to manage a number of tax preparers or teams, you can use CrossLink Business to set up sub-sites that all link up to the central dashboard. This lets you keep track of your tax preparers and how their tasks are going. You can even view all returns processed, if you like!

Mobile Apps, Bank Products and Tech Support

​CrossLink software can work with the TaxPass mobile site⁠—no need for customers to download an app to their phone. TaxPass is fully integrated with CrossLink 1040. Customers can start their tax returns on TaxPass, and you can complete their returns using CrossLink 1040.

CrossLink supports Refundo, Republic Bank and the Santa Barbara TPG family of bank products.

The company provides technical support through phone and email. The CrossLink official website leads you to various product introduction and training videos (which are hosted on YouTube). Its software walkthrough videos have been updated recently.

Also on the website is the CrossLink Support Center, which provides an extensive FAQ detailing the functions of the products, as well as advice and troubleshooting.

Federal Direct Tax

Price Range: $299 – $2,499

Summary: Offers tax business partnership packages that include cloud-based tax software along with various tax office resources. Apart from the software, you also get assistance for starting your tax preparation business. As your partner, the company takes a cut of the fee you charge each customer.

Federal Direct Tax sells service packages for running a tax preparation business. Every package includes cloud-hosted software for professional tax preparers. However, the key selling point of Federal Direct Tax is the bundling of software with tax office assistance.

The company has an in-house team of tax professionals and IRS Enrolled Agents who can aid your business with tax research and tax return preparation. So when you purchase a partnership package, you gain access to a number of services, including technical support, tax preparer training and IRS registration assistance.

If your main interest lies with the software… basically, you can expect to get the usual tax preparation toolkit. 

Features of Federal Direct Tax

The program interface is fairly easy to use, especially in interview mode. This “easy interview module” will guide you in filling the data fields on a tax return. Or you can turn it off and directly enter info on the tax forms.

The software supports tax return e-filing and you can track the e-file status of a return in real time. Users can enjoy unlimited filings of federal and state returns. The Quick Tax Estimator will speedily calculate a client’s refund estimate.

Price Breakdown for Federal Direct Tax

Federal Direct Tax offers four partnership packages at different price tiers.

All Federal Direct Tax packages include unlimited filings, though certain packages support only individual returns. All packages also come with the following services: one-on-one personalized software orientation, 6 step tax preparer training, IRS registration assistance

Not shown here are the terms of your partnership agreement with Federal Direct Tax, should you purchase one of their service packages. You can expect that a portion of the fees you charge your clients will go to Federal Direct Tax instead of your pockets.

Comparison of the Partnership Packages

Each partnership package includes the same professional tax software. The main difference is in the included tax resources and services, as well as the number of users provided with system access. 

The Quick Start and Silver packages do have limitations. They include all individual forms and schedules, and no more. The Quick Start subscription provides only one user with system access. 

The Silver package lets up to three users access the online software system. It also includes tax office marketing services.

The Gold package includes everything from Silver and adds support for all individual state returns, plus a multi-year filing program (up to 3 prior tax years). Gold also unlocks these services for the subscriber: marketing campaign budget matching, backup and recovery services. It supports up to 5 total users.

Platinum, the most expensive package, comes with individual and business returns, both federal and state (all states included). Platinum supports Forms 1040, 1065, 1120, 1041, 990, 706 and more. You also get a more expansive multi-year filing program (up to 5 prior tax years). It also comes with the most comprehensive suite of services. In addition to the Gold package services, Platinum provides enhanced marketing programs and an immigrant tax filing program with training and support for your office. It grants system access to as many as 10 total users.

Services and Tech Support

Technical support is available over the phone. This can be coupled with a browser-based HelpDesk app that shares your screen with the support technician.

Bank product integration is not available, but you can make use of rapid tax refund options. You can offer your clients as much as $6,000 as a same-day, in-season refund advance.

Intuit ProSeries & ProConnect Tax

Price Range: $1,052 – $2,312 (basic desktop) / $661 – $3,191 (professional desktop) / $3,483 – $6,307 (online)

Summary: Intuit ProSeries is an attractive tax software solution for existing users of QuickBooks Accountant. It is also a product that has earned a high score on ease of use in a recent tax software survey. ProSeries is desktop only. ProConnect is its cloud-based alternative. Both products are viewed as too pricey by a majority of users.

You’ve surely heard of the QuickBooks accounting software. It’s gained widespread acceptance as the go-to application for accounting tasks in many companies. The Intuit brand has become a household name as a result. Indeed, you might already be using QuickBooks Accountant, in which case you have a good reason to try another Intuit product. But if you’re reading this product comparison guide, you probably aren’t in that position, and are still on the lookout for a tax preparation software option that works for you.

Another thing to consider is that Intuit ProSeries, its tax preparation application, does not feature an automatically integrated workflow with QuickBooks. You still have to export the QuickBooks Accountant client file and import this to Intuit ProSeries Professional, whereupon you map the imported data to the client’s tax return. It’s not a huge departure from the data file transfer methods you can use with other tax preparation programs. If transferability is your sole measure for considering Intuit ProSeries Professional, we don’t view that as a highly compelling factor. Furthermore, the lower-priced version of the program, ProSeries Basic, does not support QuickBooks Accountant file import.

In The Tax Adviser’s 2024 Tax Software Survey, Intuit ProSeries earned the highest ranking for “ease of use” at 79.3% of the respondents. However, a significant number expressed dislike for ProSeries pricing⁠—60% of ProSeries users cited “price” as their biggest issue with the product, while 35.8% pointed to “tax research included in package” as what they disliked most about it.

(Reviewer’s note: Of all the software products we researched, this was the most complicated and confusing when it came to understanding the differences between the packages. We hope that this overview will make things easier for you.) 

ProSeries Basic

Intuit ProSeries is available in two versions: ProSeries Basic and ProSeries Professional. Both of these packages provide you with a desktop application that supports form-based data entry. Here’s a price breakdown of the currently available ProSeries Basic plans:

The Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) is given for the package prices in the chart. A better offer may be available at the time of your purchase.

No matter which option you get, your ProSeries Basic plan grants you a single user license, a guided workflow for first-time software users, a tax planner tool, a financial institution download tool, a client billing tool, client letter templates and single user access to an Intuit Link client portal setup.

ProSeries Basic is fairly limited in functionality and is best used by sole proprietors. Since the program only supports one user account, it is not ideal for businesses with more than one active tax preparer. You’ll also note that some of the features, such as guided workflow, will be more beneficial to new tax preparers.

ProSeries Basic also has limited support for tax forms. It is primarily designed to process 1040s and individual state returns⁠—but not for all states, and the number of states supported depends on which ProSeries Basic package you paid for. The program’s tax calculation functions are also rudimentary.

When you get ProSeries Basic, you choose one out of three packages. Basic 20 is the most affordable, meant for the tax preparer who is just getting started. It allows you to process up to 20 state returns and 20 Form 1040s, though it only supports a single state (of your choice). Basic 50 offers a bit more, up to 50 instead of 20, and two states are supported. Basic Unlimited is the most expansive option, allowing for unlimited returns with 4 states supported.

ProSeries Professional

Whereas ProSeries Basic is ideal for an entry-level tax preparer, ProSeries Professional offers a desktop-based tax preparation solution geared toward small and medium sized tax offices. You can choose from four different ProSeries Professional packages. Their prices listed below:

The MSRP is given for the prices in the chart. A better offer may be available at the time of your purchase.

Only new customers are eligible to purchase the ProSeries Choice 200 package. Anyone who has previously purchased a ProSeries, ProConnect or Lacerte product cannot take advantage of this offer, and it is not available as an upgrade to your current ProSeries Professional package if you have one.

All of the ProSeries Professional plans support multiple user access, but (except for Choice 200) this involves an additional fee to pay for each user. The fee amount is not stated on the Intuit website, but we did find that ProConnect Tax charges $99 per user access (capped after 10 users at $990). We expect the ProSeries Professional user access fee to be comparable.

ProSeries Pay-Per-Return can process individual 1040 and business returns. Indeed, it supports an extensive list of state and federal forms, schedules and reports (over 3,700 as of this review). Among the forms it can handle are: 1040, 1040 NR, 1041, 1120, 11205, 1065, 990, 706, 709

 The pay-per-return pricing for these forms is as follows:

The ProSeries 1040 Complete package allows unlimited federal 1040 and state returns, excluding 1040 NR. For all other forms and schedules, the pay-per-return prices shown above will apply.

Two of the ProSeries Professional packages, ProSeries Choice 200 and Power Tax Library, are not priced on the Intuit website. You have to call an 844 number and speak with a sales representative about the pricing of these options. 

ProSeries Choice 200 doesn’t let you file unlimited returns. However, you can file up to 200 returns in any combination of these forms: 1040, 1040 NR, 1120, 1120S, 1065, 1041, 990, 709, 706

ProSeries Power Tax Library enables unlimited returns, which include filing any combination of 1040s and forms supported by Choice 200. It is essentially the same as ProSeries Choice 200 except for the unlimited filing of returns.

ProConnect Tax

ProConnect Tax is a cloud-based tax preparation solution with customizable pricing based on your practice’s needs. As of 2024, it has been bundled with Intuit Tax Advisor, giving you tax advisory services within one software package. Another important feature of the product is its seamless integration with QuickBooks Online Accountant. Finally, its interface is modern and easy to use.

Here’s a price breakdown for ProConnect Tax software packages:

Now let’s talk about what each software package entails:

• Essentials 50: The entry-level package has support for up to 50 total returns (including up to 5 business returns), 50 e-signatures and one user access license. Ideal for small and new businesses.
• Essentials 100: This package supports up to 100 total returns (including up to 25 business returns), 100 e-signatures and one user access license. It is recommended for tax preparers who mainly file individual returns. 
• Plus: The Plus package supports up to 200 total returns (including up to 50 business returns), 200 e-signatures and three user access licenses. It is good for small-to-medium tax offices who want to file some business returns alongside individual returns. Pricing starts at $6,307 and may increase if you go for package customization.
• Advanced: This one is very similar to the Plus package. Advanced supports up to 300 total returns (including up to 100 business returns), 300 e-signatures and three user access licenses. Pricing is not provided upfront. You need to call an 844 number and speak with a sales agent to initiate a discussion on pricing.
• Enterprise: Clearly the enterprise-level option. This package is for firms that need to process a high volume of tax returns⁠—over 300 returns. Pricing for this package is not provided upfront. You need to call an 844 number and speak with a sales agent to initiate a discussion on pricing.

A note on user access: ProConnect Tax requires you to purchase a $99 user access license for each person authorized to use the software. This license fee is paid on an annual basis. Remember, this is a cloud-based application. The software is not downloaded to your machine. Instead, you pay to gain access to software that is hosted online. When you purchase a ProConnect Tax package, the price does include one or more user access licenses according to the package details. For example, the Essentials 100 price is inclusive of a single $99 user access license.

The total of your user access fees is capped after 10 users at $990. So if you have a tax firm with 10 or more persons needing account access, you will be charged a flat fee of $990 that covers all of your firm’s user access licenses. 

ProConnect Tax is a well-reviewed product with a high price point and some minor drawbacks. According to a 2024 analysis by a CPA reviewer on Fit Small Business, ProConnect Tax has issues with handling complex tax returns such as consolidated returns. The CPA also calls out its pay-per-return pricing as costly, especially for tax pros filing high volumes of returns. Furthermore, its year-over-year price increase is described as “oppressive.”

Tech Support and Bank Products

ProSeries subscribers enjoy access to Intuit’s reliable help and support resources. The official Intuit website hosts an Education Resource Center. You can check it out to find useful information about ProSeries and ProConnect Tax. It provides FAQs, knowledge articles and tutorial videos. You can also enroll in live webinars. First-year subscribers can make use of the Easy Start onboarding service for new customers, which includes step-by-step support on both tax forms knowledge and technical concerns.

Telephone, email and chat support options are also available, with customer support costs bundled into the ProSeries software package pricing.

Intuit ProSeries and ProConnect Tax support bank products from the following partners: Santa Barbara Tax Products Group and Refund Advantage.

Lacerte Tax

Price Range: $860 (pay-per-return) / must call for pricing on other packages

Summary: Lacerte Tax is a tax preparation solution and a tax planner in one application. It is a good option for a full-service tax bureau that offers tax advice to clients. Lacerte Tax is a decidedly expensive option⁠—too costly for most entry-level tax preparers.

Lacerte Tax is another product offered by Intuit. This is not simply a tax preparation solution, it also comes with a robust tax advice and planning toolkit called Intuit Tax Advisor. This helps you build tax plans for your clients, using data collected from Lacerte Tax automatically.

Remote access capabilities are another feature that sets Lacerte Tax apart from the Intuit ProSeries line (except for ProConnect). Lacerte can be run as a desktop application, but Intuit provides a cloud hosting solution available to all software packages. Hosting for Lacerte enables a cloud-based workflow and far-ranging mobility. 

Lacerte Tax is not ideal for someone new to the tax preparation business. While it does offer guidance tools, it is geared more to the experienced tax pro who can benefit from the occasional tip—not a novice tax professional who is still learning the ins and outs of tax preparation. 

The software is also on the high end when it comes to pricing. We can’t tell you the prices of Lacerte Tax software packages, but what we do know is that a Lacerte Tax package comparable to a ProSeries package can be twice the cost. A CPA reviewer for Fit Small Business wrote this observation regarding Lacerte Tax: “Has above-average ratings for its comprehensive platform and coverage of obscure tax rules; that exhaustive access comes at a cost, however, and users note that the biggest downside of Lacerte Tax is the high software cost.”

Features of Lacerte Tax

All Lacerte Tax desktop software packages (including pay-per-return) include the following forms and schedules: 1040, 1041, 1065, 1120, 1120S, 5500, 706, 709, 990

They all support the following features and services: Intuit Tax Advisor (built-in), Hosting for Lacerte, Intuit Link client portal, consolidated corporate returns, financial institution downloads, K-1 transfers, access to training content and e-signature sign-offs for 5,700 forms.

Price Breakdown for Lacerte Tax

Lacerte Tax desktop software packages may be modular. Three types of software plans are specifically described on their website:

The MSRP is given for the Lacerte Tax REP price in the chart. A better offer may be available at the time of your purchase.

Lacerte Tax is not transparent about the prices of their packages⁠—all of them except the pay-per-return option require a call with a sales representative to produce a quote.

Lacerte Remote Entry Processing (REP)

The Lacerte Tax pay-per-return package offers great flexibility if you want to be able to file a combination of individual, business, corporate and specialty returns. And you “pay as you go” for each return that you prepare.

Here’s a breakdown of the Lacerte Tax REP pay-per-return rates:

Other Lacerte Tax Software Packages

Lacerte 200 allows the preparation of up to 200 federal individual returns. This package includes access to Lacerte eOrganizer, on top of the other included features specified earlier.

Lacerte Unlimited, as the name suggests, gives you an unlimited number of individual and business returns. State e-filing is included. This package includes access to Lacerte eOrganizer.

Tech Support and Bank Products

Customers of Lacerte Tax software can benefit from the same support resources as ProSeries customers. FInd the relevant info in the ProSeries overview above this entry.

Lacerte Tax lets you offer pay-by-refund solutions to your client via bank products from Refund Advantage or Santa Barbara Tax Products Group.

MyTaxPrepOffice

Price Range: $695 – $1,295 (online)

Summary: Cloud-based system suitable for virtual tax offices. Also handy for in-person consultations with clients. No corresponding desktop application available.

From its inception, MyTAXPrepOffice has been pitched at remote teams working together as a virtual office. It offers a cloud-based tax preparation app that runs in your web browser. Users can access their MyTAXPrepOffice account from a desktop computer, laptop, tablet or mobile device.

Wondering whether they offer a desktop-based application? No, MyTAXPrepOffice is online software only. Fortunately, you can set the tax software to offline mode, allowing you to work on a project in the event that you have no access to the internet. When you do get an online connection, MyTAXPrepOffice will sync with the cloud. This will update your project with the changes you made in offline mode.

Given the shift to virtual office setups that began ramping up in 2020, MyTAXPrepOffice is in a good position to answer the needs of today’s remote workers⁠—though it is scarcely alone in this. UltimateTax, OLT Pro and other applications also stand out as viable solutions for a virtual tax office.

Price Breakdown for MyTAXPrepOffice

MyTAXPrepOffice only offers three plans:

Individual Pro Plan

Individual Pro Plan gives you access to a single user account and 5GB of cloud storage for tax returns and client data. Pro Plan subscribers enjoy free unlimited e-filing (individual 1040s only), federal and all states included. Other features include a client portal and a signature pad app.

The price is attractive, but the plan is fairly limited. If you want to file business returns, you would have to go with the Essential or Unlimited Plan.

Essential Plan vs Unlimited Plan

These two plans are very similar, although Essential is clearly aimed at small to medium businesses, and Unlimited to a large tax practice doing a high volume of tax returns.

MyTAXPrepOffice Essential Plan includes the features of Individual Pro Plan, and adds support for business returns. It can be used to prepare the following tax forms: 1065, 1120, 1120S, 1041, 990, 706, 709

Note that the Essential Plan only supports two user accounts and 10GB of cloud storage. You can add extra users at $20 per account, and an extra 5GB of storage for $20.

MyTAXPrepOffice Unlimited Plan includes the same features, plus it supports up to 999 user accounts and unlimited cloud storage. MyTAXPrepOffice touts the Unlimited Plan as a multi-office management solution. It is well suited to a company running multiple teams of remote workers.

Features of MyTAXPrepOffice Web Software

MyTAXPrepOffice uses a dashboard that displays widgets that perform various actions. You can configure the dashboard to display only the widgets you want. Available widgets include Recent Returns, E-File Summary, E-File Status, Rejected Summary, News Summary, Financial Products and Appointment List. You can also customize the dashboard layout and the color settings to match your preferences.

The Instant Form View feature lets you and your client both view the form in real time. The client will be able to see what you see, including data entries on their tax return and other such changes. If you set up a client portal with MyTAXPrepOffice, you can ask your clients to send you documents via the portal. This provides a more secure way of obtaining client files and information.

MyTAXPrepOffice users can fill tax forms using a direct data entry mode. The software also provides the option to use an interview mode. While you are in the process of preparing a return, you can consult the Guide Me feature. It provides help information that explains specific form requirements in detail.

Bank Products and Tech Support

MyTAXPrepOffice provides technical and training resources on its website, including a library of instructional videos. It also hosts scheduled live webinars with tax experts. 

Customers can seek assistance in several ways, including phone, email and chat support. Phone and live chat support is available during operational hours only. Spanish language support by phone and live chat is available. Alternatively, you can also search for answers to your questions on the Solution Center page of the website.

MyTAXPrepOffice supports the following integrated bank products: EPS Financial, Santa Barbara Tax Products Group (TPG), Refund Advantage and Refundo.

Olt Pro

Price Range: $999 (desktop) / $499 – $849 (online)

Summary: OLT Pro started out as a cloud-based tax preparation solution, but has branched out to offering desktop software. It provides a simple and affordable solution for e-filing Form 1040s. Using OLT Pro to file business or corporate returns can prove more taxing, however.

OLT Pro started out as a web-based individual e-filing platform called OnLine Taxes, pitched at regular taxpayers. The company has also developed a professional tax preparation solution available in both cloud-based and desktop installed versions. 

There are only three OLT Pro software options: OLT Pro 25 Return, OLT Pro Web and OLT Pro Desktop. These three alternatives share very similar features.

Price Breakdown for OLT Pro

OLT Pro packages and prices are shown below for your convenience:

Features of OLT Pro

OLT Pro (any version) supports individual 1040 and 1040NR returns. The program can also be used for filing the following business forms: 1120, 1120S, 1065, 1041, 2290, 990, 720, 709, 706, 5500, 8849, 8038CP. As for filing state tax returns, OLT Pro 25 can do that, too. All states are included and e-filing is free.

The software license gives you access to these tools: interview input, document manager (supports scanning and uploading documents), e-signature acceptance, K-1 import, quick estimator, client organizer, client manager, professional reports, taxpayer portal. You also get free customer support and a multi-user setup.

OLT Pro 25 Return

OLT lt Pro 25 Return is available as a web application only. This product is best suited for tax preparers who handle a low volume of returns. It will only allow you to register up to 25 e-filings with the IRS.

OLT Pro 25 Return has an attractive price and a number of useful features. But the limit on returns is too restrictive for most tax practices, and makes it difficult to expand your client base. It is up to you to decide whether this caveat undercuts its value for your tax office.

OLT Pro Web / OLT Pro Desktop

OLT Pro Web is a cloud-based application with the same features as OLT Pro 25 Return. The advantage it offers is the ability to e-file unlimited returns at no extra charge. OLT lt Pro Web also provides a service bureau setup for the tax pro who also wants to be a tax software reseller.

OLT Pro Desktop is the company’s most comprehensive product. Like OLT Pro Web, it allows e-filing unlimited returns. The software also includes the following features not found in the web application: automated backups, customizable color schemes and the ability to import or export tax returns.

Bank Products and Tech Support

Customer service consists of phone support (during office hours), remote support (online using a customer code) and email support.

OLT Pro (all versions) includes support for a number of bank product providers, including EPS Financial, Republic Bank, Refund Advantage, Santa Barbara TPG and Refundo.

TaxAct Professional Edition

Price Range: $149.99 – $2,295 (desktop only)

Summary: TaxAct Professional Edition provides desktop solutions that include a 1040 Bundle for filing individual federal returns. To file business returns, you can purchase the Complete Edition or the Business Pay-Per-Return Edition. It does not offer an online software version or a mobile app.

TaxAct’s tax preparation software is available in several editions: 1040 Edition, Complete Edition and Business Pay-Per-Return Edition. Each edition type is subdivided further into single-user and multi-user bundles.

All of the TaxAct software products are desktop applications. They do not offer cloud-based software products.

Features of TaxAct Professional Edition

If you have used TaxAct Professional Edition before, the current iteration will be very familiar. It offers the usual e-filing, tax calculators, tax planning tools, professional report tools and a client manager.

Software Assistants make it easy to figure out what to do. The Assistants guide the user through the tax return data entry process. You can get help from a topics assistant and a stock assistant. An import wizard provides a tool to quickly transfer data from a different software application.

The variety of the bundles promoted on the TaxAct website can be confusing to sort out. We aim to help you understand the differences between them.

Price Breakdown for TaxAct Professional Edition

TaxAct Professional Edition bundles have key differences in features and pricing. Let’s start by comparing the prices of the various editions:

TaxAct Professional 1040 Edition

The 1040 Edition comes in three versions: 1040 Pay-Per-Return Edition, 1040 Bundle and 1040 Enterprise Bundle. The first two are single-user license bundles.

1040 Pay-Per-Return Edition is by far the lowest-priced subscription among the options available. It has support for filing federal 1040 returns and includes one e-signature envelope with each return. TaxAct charges $24.99 per federal return (printed or e-filed). State editions are sold separately for tax preparers who need to file state returns. It costs $35 per state to add support for preparing that state’s returns to your package.

1040 Bundle supports federal and state returns (1040 only). All states are included. You can enjoy free unlimited e-filing of Form 1040s. 

1040 Enterprise Bundle grants you access to multiple user licenses. It provides the same benefits as the 1040 Bundle, and adds a cloud storage solution.

TaxAct Professional Complete Edition

The Complete Edition comes in two versions: Complete Bundle and Complete Enterprise Bundle. The first one is a single-user license bundle.

The Complete Bundle supports the following types of federal returns: 1040, 1041, 1065, 1120S, 1120, 990. It provides support for these state returns: 1040, 1041, 1065, 1120S, 1120, 990 (all states included). You get free unlimited e-filing of 1040, 1041, 1065, 1120S, 1120 and 990 returns.

The Complete Enterprise Bundle lets you make use of multiple user licenses. It provides the same benefits as the Complete Bundle, and adds a cloud storage solution.

TaxAct Professional Business Pay-Per-Return Edition

The Business Pay-Per-Return Edition is geared toward the tax pro who needs to file individual and business federal returns. This bundle supports the following federal forms: 1040, 1041 1065, 1120, 1120S, and 990. One e-signature envelope is included with each return. 

TaxAct charges $24.99 per 1040 return (printed or e-filed) and $39.99 per business return (printed or e-filed). State editions are sold separately.

Business Pay-Per-Return Edition enables access to multiple user licenses.

Tech Support and Bank Products

Technical support is available through phone and email. Phone support is only available during office hours (check the TaxAct website for exact schedules). Software technical support is free for TaxAct Professional Edition package subscribers.

Customers can also consult a tax pro knowledge base hosted on the TaxAct website. Product training videos are also available on the website.

TaxAct Professional Edition features bank product integration with the Republic Bank and Santa Barbara TPG refund transfer programs.

TaxSlayer Pro

Price Range: $1,395 – $1,695 (desktop) / $1,595 – $1,995 (online)

Summary:TaxSlayer Pro offers both desktop and web-based applications that provide a simple and straightforward tax preparation solution for processing Form 1040s. Most of their software packages include unlimited 1040 filing at no extra cost, along with multiple user access to the program. 

TaxSlayer Pro also puts a significant emphasis on growing your practice by offering bank products to your clients. This functionality is available on all versions of the product.

Their professional tax software is available in three versions: Classic, Premium and Web.

Price Breakdown for TaxSlayer Pro

Here’s a quick look at the TaxSlayer Pro packages and prices:

The Pro Web plan does not have native support for corporate returns. If you wish to add that, you need to call a sales representative to arrange an upgrade to Pro Web + Corporate. The price of that package is not stated upfront, but we can tell you that it cost $1,995 back in 2022. The price may have gone up since then.

Pro Classic (Desktop)

TaxSlayer Pro Classic can be considered the entry-level version of the software, which often means you face a limit on the amount of returns you can file for free. But unlike similar products from rival companies, Pro Classic enables free unlimited e-filing of individual tax returns with its base package. No pay-per-return charges to deal with⁠—neither of the desktop versions of TaxSlayer Pro support a pay-per-return option. 

All state returns are included in Pro Classic. Furthermore, Pro Classic supports the following forms: 706, 709, 990, 1041, 1065, 1120, 1120-S, 5500

As an entry-level type of tax preparation software, Pro Classic provides “easy start” onboarding through an on-demand webinar available to new users. Another key feature of the product is its built-in Depreciation Module, which expedites the process of getting the relevant depreciation method for your client’s assets, then inserting the calculated expense accurately into the tax return. Pro Classic also comes with a refund estimator tool, client database tool and cloud-based reporting functionality.

Pro Premium (Desktop)

TaxSlayer Pro Premium grants the same features as Pro Classic, except for its “easy start” onboarding module as this package is pitched toward fairly experienced tax pros. Another key difference is that Pro Premium comes bundled with a full corporate tax suite. Basically, this software package is for the tax preparer who needs more advanced tax preparation and office management tools compared to what Pro Classic can offer. Pro Premium is better equipped to assist you with the more complex task of corporate tax return preparation.

Pro Premium adds tools for office task administration⁠—in particular, it provides paperless office solutions. You can scan and save documents as digital files. You can export and save tax returns in the PDF file format. Other features include TaxesToGo mobile app support, e-signature support, tax return status checking and a client portal app. Clients can use the mobile app or the client portal to securely send electronic documents to your tax practice.

Premium also provides an adpack with printable media you can brand with your company name—promotional handouts, banners, direct mail templates and promotional email templates. The adpack makes it easier for you to integrate your branding with your business correspondence and other forms of communication.

Pro Web

TaxSlayer Pro Web is marketed as a mobile tax office that can be accessed by most devices via an internet connection. As a cloud-based application, Pro Web works not as an installed program but as a web service you can utilize. Multiple user access to the service is enabled.

Pro Web provides much of the same functionality as Pro Premium, the desktop application. But the Pro Web base package does not have native support for corporate tax preparation. If you want to be able to handle corporate returns, you will need to upgrade to the Pro Web + Corporate package.

The following features are available both in Pro Web and Pro Premium: free unlimited e-filing, depreciation calculator, paperless office, TaxesToGo mobile app support, e-signature support, tax return status checking, client portal app, refund estimator tool, client database tool, web bank integration, cloud-based reporting

Pro Web does have a couple of features that are not available on the desktop application. It is compatible with Mac OS and it is available in a Spanish-language version.

Mobile Apps, Bank Products and Tech Support

TaxesToGo is a mobile app that enjoys full integration with the TaxSlayer Pro Premium and TaxSlayer Pro Web applications. It is available to download from the Google Play store and the iPhone App Store. TaxesToGo comes bundled with the Pro Premium, Pro Web, and Pro Web + Corporate packages.

The mobile app provides convenience to your customers. They can take pictures of documents using their mobile phone and upload them into TaxesToGo. A chat feature lets you easily communicate with customers about their tax returns. The app can also provide reliable data transfer to your Pro Premium or Pro Web account.

TaxSlayer Pro’s official website hosts a searchable FAQ infobase with solutions to problems related to their desktop and cloud-based software. Customers can also check out instructional videos and help articles, or access complimentary email and live phone support.

TaxSlayer Pro (all versions) has partnered with the following providers of refund settlement products: EPS Tax, Refund Advantage, Santa Barbara TPG, Refundo

UltraTax CS

Price Range: $3,800 for the Express version, must request a quote for the standard version

Summary: Powerful tax preparation software best used in combination with other CS Professional suite programs. After your initial purchase, expect annual price increases when you renew (at least for the express plan)⁠—possibly as high as a 30% increase in the second year.

UltraTax is part of the CS Professional Suite line of applications from Thomson Reuters. This software suite includes accounting, payroll, workflow management, document management and tax preparation solutions. 

While UltraTax CS can be used on its own, it provides better value if you are using CS Professional Suite or other Thomson Reuters products. It is ideal for a company that can take advantage of running the full-fledged suite, such as a business that provides a variety of services including accounting, payroll, financial consulting and tax return preparation.

The UltraTax CS tax prep software integrates smoothly with the CS Suite applications: Accounting CS, Accounting Payroll CS, Planner CS, Practice CS, Virtual Office CS, and so on. Additionally, it integrates with other software, including the Onvio cloud-based firm management, Ledgible Crypto Tax Pro cryptocurrency tax reporting, SurePrep SPBinder digital workpaper indexing and TaxCaddy client collaboration solutions.

In The Tax Adviser’s 2024 Tax Software Survey, 76.2% of UltraTax CS users indicated a dislike of the high price of the software. Furthermore, 82.9% of the users needed technical support in dealing with UltraTax CS.

Price Information

Thomas Reuters is not transparent about their UltraTax CS software pricing. While the standard plan does use custom pricing, the company also offers an Express plan⁠—though it is not being promoted on their website. Its price is not stated. 

Back in 2022, Thomas Reuters was offering the UltraTax CS Express 100 package at $2,500. With a little digging, we were able to come up with a current figure that we can reasonably say is accurate (as of 2024). Our research suggests that the UltraTax CS Express 100 package is now priced at $3,800. 

Important note: The price of $3,800 for UltraTax CS Express 100 is only the initial price for when you first license the software. As Thomas Reuters has previously specified, “The initial purchase price will be subject to standard annual price increases upon renewal.” Our research turned up a statement by a subscriber claiming that the Express 100 price increased by 30% in the second year.

The Thomas Reuters website does not display a price for the UltraTax CS standard plan. You need to request a quote by submitting an online form and waiting to hear from a sales agent. Custom pricing is available based on the number of users, tax returns and states required.

Based on our research, the price you’ll pay for the UltraTax CS standard plan is likely to be something above $6,000. We’ve even seen claims of tax pros paying amounts in the five digits for the software!

UltraTax CS Express 100

Let’s take a look at what you get with the UltraTax CS Express 100 plan. If you are eligible to get this plan, you can use the software to file up to 100 individual 1040 returns a year. It is also possible to file up to 25 business returns of these types: 990, 1120, 1065, 1041

These are hard limits. According to the Thomas Reuters site, if you want to exceed these limits, you will need to speak to a sales agent to discuss plan upgrade options. Our research unearthed multiple statements by subscribers claiming they were “kicked off the plan” after exceeding its limits and pushed to upgrade to the standard package.

UltraTax CS Express 100 provides support for up to 10 States. It is a single-user plan. It does not work with Virtual Office CS, a Thomson Reuters cloud-based accounting platform.

On your initial purchase you can receive the UltraTax Navigation training course, which is included with the software purchase. The course will be given during your onboarding process.

UltraTax CS Standard

The original UltraTax CS professional tax software is the more popular option. It supports unlimited e-filing and unlimited users. According to the Thomas Reuters site, it includes all state returns and all applicable tax forms. What that means is, UltraTax CS supports the following forms: 706, 709, 990, 1040, 1041, 1120, 1120C, 1120S and 5500, plus FinCEN Form 114

The tax preparation software relies on a form-based data entry mode for completing returns. This process is supported by built-in diagnostics. Preparers can also access the Help and How-to Center from any program screen.

There is no set price for UltraTax CS. You need to request a quote via online form submission. The price will vary depending on the number of users and choice of software deployment options. The software can be installed on a workstation, hosted on a cloud via Virtual Office CS or leased as a SaaS solution.

Services, Bank Products and Tech Support

UltraTax CS does not have a dedicated mobile app. You can, however, use NetClient CS Mobile to view all client tax returns on your smartphone. NetClient CS Mobile is not an extension of UltraTax CS, but of NetClient CS client portal services.

Subscribers can get free telephone support or request information via email or online chat.

The following integrated bank products are supported by UltraTax CS: EPS Financial, Refund Advantage