Discussion:Tax Preparation Software

Preparing taxes is already a very complex task to do, and software should be a tool to help you on calculations, transfer figures between forms, be sure conditioned benefits and/or obligations complied with their conditions, keep history of carryforward and carrybacks, AMT calculations, etc. but all software should do the same except that each one does it differently (forms vs data entry) and that “…way…” is what makes one software different from any other. We like the seamless import from QuickBooks file very much but, does it worth the price?

Thank you in advance for reading this and hope to hear any feedback that can expand this discussion in benefit of all their readers.

Roy, thank you for your feedback.

I am not cheap, but I don't like to waste money either.

I guess I should have also stated that I don't care for any 'import' feature because I don't have any clients who do perfect bookeeping.

Kevin, If you allow me to ask, and after reading your slogan "...a tax software is no substitute for a good professional ..." Makes me believe that you have use many of them and now you are indifferent to what software to use, am I right? Do you have some conclusions on some of them?

Thank you in advance.

Thank you in advance.

And I'm firmly against believing an ordinary 'caveman' can pick up quicken or quickbooks and do the job that a professional can do.

For many years I refused to even buy a version of Quickbooks myself because I couldn't see supporting a firm who took money out of my wallet by selling Turbotax to end users. But then I gave in and purchased Lacerte when they took over Taasc (or whatever it was 12 or 13 years ago).

When I sold my larger practice that justified Lacerte's fees, and started a new practice with far fewer returns, I went to another software firm.

I have also purchased/merged with firms using other software. When I tried to 'convert' these offices to the same software I used there was a huge revolt (yes, my employees were revolting). It is so hard to switch (the cigarette ad for Tarryton comes to mind).

Ain't that the truth, but go into Staples and see the racks loaded with Quickbooks. The true definition of the blind leading the blind is seeing a sales rep answering questions from some guy in workmen's coveralls about QB.

So, now I have Ultratax and Drake both beating down my door for unlimited along with write up, etc.

What say you all?

I am still trying to build a business and want ease of use, but also want something intuitive.

Wish I could write my own software program!!!

Their tech support is SUPER - that's why I keep renewing with them. They have a whole host of accounting software programs that integrate with each other. Here is the site for the Creative Solutions webboard - where there's a conference for EACH product they sell- so if you have a user problem - and tech support won't give you the answer you need - a fellow user will: http://arne2.creativesolutions.com/wb/

I used to use Creative Solutions for years in large firms, but the cost was so high (pre y2K) that I could not afford it.

Write up solution, CBS, Payroll solution, Ultratax, Depreciation Solution...they were all the best I had ever used.

Only problem I have is that they don't use any browsers except for IE. I tried with Firefox and it doesn't work.

Any comments on Drake?

I have to make a decision this week. Crunching numbers but I want to get away from Quick Books if I can for write up....

I realized a long time ago (when Microvision sold to UT) that to shop around for price - savings would only be temporary. Eventually the big corporations will buy out the small ones - and that is what's happening year after year (ATX bought by CCH, etc), and the program learning curve starts all over. Drake does not have a toll-free number for tech support - and some long time Drake users I know from another Board switched this past year primarily due to service - not that the product wasn't adequate.