Discussion:Need less expensive software

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Heathermarie (talk|edits) said:

25 October 2009
I'm just starting my own business (still work full-time for a non-tax business). In the past, I have prepared less than 50 returns (corporate, LLC, partnership, individual) per year using Drake. I love Drake software because I have used it for 10 year (mostly when I worked in public accounting). I feel like I can trust the software and I'm familiar with it. My problem is that this year I am expecting to do more 1040's than I have in the past and plan to efile, which I have not done on my own since I left public accounting. The pay-per-return fee for Drake is $19/return and the unlimited version is about $1,000. I don't think I will do enough returns for the unlimited version to be cost effective, but at $19/return, I'm wondering if another software is available to at least do the 1040's and no complex calculations. I still plan on using Drake for anything complicated, but would like some opinions on less expensive software.

Thanks.

FloridaTaxes (talk|edits) said:

26 October 2009
First, please remember that Drake includes the first 15 returns for no additional charge when you pay the license fee for the pay per return program. Also, once you have paid them $1,500 in total fees between the license fee and the pay per return fees they stop charging you. If you still think it's too expensive, there are TaxAct and ProSeries Basic. TaxAct is very cheap but watch out for the e-filing fees, they're quite high. I personally used it for one year and didn't like it. It's interview based much like TurboTax.

ProSeries Basic used to be low priced as well. This year it is $700 for the unlimited version, and I think $450 for the 50 return version. They no longer charge for e-filing. ProSeries Basic is a good program, but if you're used to Drake you will notice why it's called the Basic version. I used it for three years. There are things you can't do like create a letter to go with the return, create PDF files, watermark "Client Copy" on the client versions, etc. There's no zip code database, and more-hence the "Basic" title. There are some tax items it can't handle, like NOL and at risk limitations. If you're planning on preparing any entity returns, they will allow you to do them on a PPR basis if you buy the unlimited Basic version. I think they're around $32 per return.

I think ATX is also low priced, but I haven't used it so I can't comment on that one too much. I know that I contacted sales to get information 2 months ago, left a message and sent an email- and no one ever replied.

Also, remember to apply for an EFIN if you plan to e-file.

BrockEA (talk|edits) said:

26 October 2009
I use TaxAct....it gets the job done.


The interview function is there and can help when you get late into the night and perhaps get sloppy. Even during the interview, there is a menu function where you can go to the function you want (for instance, student loan interest). I usually work in this mode where I use the interview function but just skip from function to function based on the order of the forms input.


You can also go directly to the forms which I do infrequently.


I downloaded all of the major brands of software and I compared them all. There were a couple that I liked as well but the pricing was extremely high compared to TaxAct. I have yet to find anything that I cannot do with TaxAct and given that I am a small part-time EA (waiting on the card) for now, I can't justify the big dogs.


Michael

Haz48076 (talk|edits) said:

26 October 2009
TaxAct and ProSeries Basic are your best bet. get the free copy and try them out

Fsteincpa (talk|edits) said:

26 October 2009
As some have said, you lose functionality with the basic. Being able to print the letter and the other functions may make your PPR value a little better. If you go with the thought process that your value is you, then adding an extra $5 or $10 per return over the price you'd pay for the full version of a lesser program might be worth your time.

If you have to go to a word processing software and modify a letter each and everytime for their name and other pertinent stuff, is that worth $5 of your time. $7.50? Cause that the amount per return more it would cost.

Cpa297 (talk|edits) said:

7 November 2009
Fsteincpa - which software do you recommend?

Fsteincpa (talk|edits) said:

8 November 2009
Really depends on your practice and the complexity of your returns. We don't have any truly complicated returns and we use Proseries. It works great for us. I actually like Lacerte better, but it is a wee bit more expensive and I don't want to deal with transition training with my staff when Proseries is fine. If you need to handle more complex issues, I think then you want to jump up to Lacerte and if you have truly truly complex issues, then I have heard that ProSystems-fx is the way to go.

Basically, the more complex issues you need dealt with, the more expensive the software is going to cost. The more flow between forms that you get vs just using the program as a data input deivce, the more expensive it gets.

For people just starting out and using PPR, then spend the extra $5 per return and use good software, if you get to the saturation point where you need to buy full program, then the cost of the program should already be built into your rates.

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