TaxAct has released the 2015 Preparer’s Editions of its tax preparation software.
The software enables tax professionals to file Forms 1040 for individual clients; 1041 for estates and trusts; 1065, 1120 and 1120S for partnerships and corporations; and 990 for tax-exempt organizations.
TaxAct’s latest Preparer’s Editions offer new enhancements and features for professionals to maximize productivity and efficiency this tax season, including a streamlined e-file process.
TaxAct’s professional suite of products now supports all states for individual and business returns for the 2015 tax year and nearly 30 states for 1041 returns. With these additions, plus TaxAct’s new 990 Federal Editions, the company’s Professional suite of tools provides greater support for preparers’ needs.
“We are starting to focus more on the professional side of the business,” said TaxAct president JoAnn Kintzel. She noted that the software has evolved from DIY software for consumers to more of a professional product as the company went through changes of ownership over the years. Some of the founders came from Parsons Technology, and the brand has been owned by 2nd Story Software, InfoSpace and currently Blucora.
“One of the things we have been focused on is bringing components of the product online,” said Kintzel. “This professional channel is not as quick to demand the online platform as the consumer base, so if given that flexibility, there are still a lot of professionals that want that desktop version, but there are also preparers that are looking for an online, cloud-based solution as well.”
TaxAct now provides dedicated support for all professional customers. For no additional fee and accessible via email or phone, preparers can now access TaxAct’s team of trained tax professionals for tax, technical or other questions. TaxAct 2015 Federal and State Editions include a new reporting dashboard that provides secure access to status updates on e-filed returns and refunds. Tax professionals sign in to their Practice Manager to access professional reports.
Tax professionals can extend the features of their TaxAct software with the addition of TaxAct Professional Client Xchange, a new online portal enabling preparers to securely exchange tax forms, documents and returns with their clients. Customized with the individual practice’s name and logo, TaxAct Professional Client Xchange is a password-protected website that is now available for an introductory price of $79.99 per tax year (regularly $99.99).
“Some of the features that we are rolling out this year are around the path of a cloud-based product offering,” said Kintzel. “Based on feedback we’re getting, enhanced reporting is helping them to build their businesses with other ancillary offerings.”
TaxAct has partnered with industry leader InfoArmor to enable its professional customers to offer identity protection services to their clients. InfoArmor protects against tax, identity, credit and cyber fraud by monitoring for suspicious activity that could result in misuse of a taxpayer’s personal information. If fraud does occur, InfoArmor’s Privacy Advocates will guide the victim through the identity restoration process.
Several new 1041 State Editions are now available, bringing the total number of supported states to nearly 30. All business taxing states are now available for forms 1065, 1120S and 1120.
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