Discussion:Thinking of Switching from Pro Series to Lacerte
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Discussion Forum Index --> Tax Questions --> Thinking of Switching from Pro Series to Lacerte
| 20 November 2008 | |
| I've been using Pro Series for about 15 years now, so I don't approach switching tax software lightly. I am interested in hearing from any preparers who have recently made this same switch. What did you like/hate? What features will I be giving up in Pro Series? How quickly did you make the changeover (i.e., how steep is the learning curve)? What are all the things I should be thinking of (but can't think of right now)? Having made the changeover, would you do it again? What were your primary reasons for wanting to change? Thanks. | |
Southparkcpa (talk|edits) said: | 21 November 2008 |
| JD
Out of curiosity, what is it you are seeking? I, Like you have used pro series for a LONG time. I have used Lacerte as well and it is better BUT... I have decided to stay as Pro Series does everything I need basically. It could be better on multi state but I do 300 plus returns of mostly higher end and it sort of "does it's job". I wish it linked to excel and imported excel sheets like Ultra tax and I would like to see better depreciation options but we don't get everything. Curious to hear your view point. | |
| 21 November 2008 | |
| I have used Lacerte for 20 years. However, I am disgusted with them at the moment.
Lacerte is not supporting the 64-bit Vista operating system. Unless you have older machines, you may not be able to switch to Lacerte. I just bought a new computer that will not run Lacerte. Oh, it will run 2007 and 2008 -- but they say that the math calculations may not be correct. On their website, they do say they don't support the Vista 64-bit operating system. I think Lacerte could have sent their users an email explaning that their software would not run on Vista 64-bit. Many tax preparers buy new computers in the late summer and fall to be ready for the tax season. Tbey send me email for lots of unimportant things but not something as important as their software does not run on Vista-64. I am now trying to buy another new computer with Vista 32-bit or get a machine configured with Windows XP. | |
| 21 November 2008 | |
| I think my primary objection to Pro Series is that all of its output is forms based. Rather than having 5 statements or worksheets printed on one page supporting 5 items in the return, Pro Series will have 1 statement spanning 5 pages supporting 1 item in the return. The silliest example I can give is when you enter the detail for charitable contributions and you enter more than 10 lines, the end result is a forms based Charitable Contributions Summary that has 10 lines, the 10th line reading "See Additional Cash Contributions Summary". So you have a schedule supporting a schedule.
I find myself being able to prepare returns quickly in Pro Series if I can start and complete the return in a brief period of time. But when I get a more complex return that is 80 or 90% complete in tax season and the remaining 10% cannot be completed until August, Sept or October, reviewing what is in the return is a pain. That is especially true with multiple K-1's, PAL's, etc. I've now prepared 3 moderately easy returns on my Lacerte demo software. I like some features, but dislike (or am unfamiliar with) other features. One of the returns I did has Sch A unamortized points in Pro Series. I was surprised to find nothing in Lacerte to allow me to have Lacerte calculate that each year for me. Do I need to maintain a points amortization schedule outside of Lacerte or is there something I am missing? | |
| 21 November 2008 | |
| JDugan, for points in LaCerte, I think what you are looking for is that you can enter the points into the depreciation schedule and then direct the amortization to Sch A. There are selections on the depreciation entry screen to do this. The amortization then appears on Sch A, Line 12. | |
| November 21, 2008 | |
| In the deprec. input screen, where it asks for form, entering '8' sends it to Sch A/points. And continues to track year to year via the depreciation schedule.
I love Lacerte - except for the price. | |
| 25 November 2008 | |
| DPAD Question:
I am inputting a return to Lacerte that I did in Pro Series. Lacerte's calculation of DPAD differs from Pro Series. I am using the "small business simplified method." Here are the calculations: Gross revenues - all sources: $1,446,540 S corp K1 (plumbing contractor) $ 17,800 Sch C (writer) $ 94,586 Sch E rent income (apartment - passive)
$1,442,056 S corp K1 $ 0 Sch C $ 0 Sch E Ratio of DPGR / Total receipts = .9250317 pre Pro Series versus .9250 per Lacerte.
$1,254,798 S Corp $ 2,523 Sch C $ 94,286 Sch E (PER LACERTE) $ 126,600 Sch E (PER PRO SERIES)
By using the total Sch E expenses reduced by the suspended losses, Lacerte is deriving a larger Qualified production activities income, and a larger DPAD deduction. So, which calculation is correct?? Or am I missing some input item in Lacerte? | |
Garygauvin (talk|edits) said: | 26 November 2008 |
| I too have used Proseries since 1993 and hesitate to change simply because of the learning curve. I know the limitations of Proseries and its quirks.
I only considered Lacerte because it does 1116 forms correctly when there is high income and qualified dividends(Proseries does not) and includes form 5471. Lacerte users rant about how good it is. Since I have full Proseries 1040 license I got the PPR version (REP) of Lacerte without paying the $395 license fee. It includes all back years. I'm having a bit of a rough time getting around but expect all I need is more practice. I'll do some efiling with Lacerte this year and see whether I think the extra cost is worth it. | |
ReadMyLips (talk|edits) said: | 26 November 2008 |
| I have used Lacerte for almost 20 years & love the program. I have not used Pro Series, so I can't compare but I have used Turbo Tax and CCH's ProSystem fx--in my opinion, Lacerte is so much better than TT it's not even comparable and much easier to use than CCH and has comparable features. Over the years they have improved the system and I've always had a good experience with customer support; no problems with e-filing.
I just purchased the E-Organizer this year and have been working with that to decide if I will offer it to clients this year--any of you have experience with the E-Organizer? I would love comments on that. | |
| 11 December 2008 | |
| In my continuing evaluation of Lacerte I am entering a return having prior year unallowed passive losses on a K1. In Pro Series the screen tells me to enter these unallowed losses as negative amounts. Lacerte does not indicate whether the loss should be entered as a positive or a negative amount. Any of you Lacerte users out there know the answer? | |
