Now that summer is here, tax preparers have time for trial runs of different software to see if there's a program that might be a better fit for their practices.Vendors, meanwhile, see this time as an opportunity to get a head start on the next filing season by offering special discounts and promotional pricing.
While the number of vendors has shrunk in recent years, the purchases of ATX and TaxWise by CCH, and of TaxWorks by H&R Block, ensure that these brands will continue into the foreseeable future. Previous purchases have resulted in the discontinuation of tax prep offerings. Tax Relief from AccountantsWorld and Package Ex from ExacTax were both discontinued when purchased by Thomson. Sage Software's CPA Tax Manager was discontinued in 2004, when the company entered an alliance with CCH ProSystem fx for its tax prep customers.
Meanwhile, new laws continue to generate opportunities for tax pros. Last year's laws, coupled with the recent Small Business and Work Opportunity Tax Act of 2007 and the prospect of more legislation to come, promises to drive more taxpayers to professional preparers.
The following are the manufacturers with special deals, demos and discounts.
* ATX
Caribou, Maine
www.atxpros.com
(877) 728-9776
ATX
Free evaluation kit available, including a demo CD with more than 10,000 federal, state and local tax forms and W-2/1099 and payroll reporting forms. The new Total Tax and Accounting package includes research, client write-up with payroll, accounts payable and accounts receivable, a fixed asset manager and a document manager. The new Scan&Fill program lets you export scanned client data directly to tax returns.
* CCH, a Wolters Kluwer
business
Riverwoods, Ill.
http://cchgroup.com
(800) 739-9998
ProSystem fx Office Suite
Evaluation software available for tryout for ProSystem fx Office products, including Tax, Engagement, Practice, Fixed Assets, Trial Balance, Planning, Profit Driver and Practice Driver.
* Drake Software
Franklin, N.C.
www.drakesoftware.com
(800) 890-9500
Drake Software
Complete package includes individual, business, partnerships, corporations, e-file, bank and all state software programs at no additional cost. Additional features include client write-up with MICR check encoding, on-line tax research tools, real-time Web reporting, appointment scheduler, preparer Web sites, tax planner, and more.
* Greatland Corp.
Grand Rapids, Mich.
www.greatland.com
(800) 968-1099
GreatTax
GreatTax offers individual and business tax packages, online e-file center, bank products and pay-per-return options. Free demo available.
* HowardSoft
La Jolla, Calif.
www.howardsoft.com
(858) 454-0121
Tax Preparer
Working program CD available for 30-day free trial. Check Web site for further promotions.
* Intuit
San Diego
www.proseries.com
(800) 934-1040
ProSeries Professional
New, low price of $999 includes unlimited use of all individual federal and state forms.
ProSeries Basic Edition
Designed for smaller tax practices that primarily prepare 1040 and state individual returns.
ProSeries Express Edition
Designed for practices that prepare a high volume of returns and need rapid refund and bank product options.
* Lacerte (Intuit)
Plano, Texas
www.lacertesoftware.com
(800) 765-7777
Lacerte Tax
Lacerte has a large list of worksheets, schedules and forms, robust functionality and in-depth calculations, along with integration with other major financial software tools that can help streamline workflow. Free evaluation is available.
* Orrtax Software Solutions
Bellevue, Wash.
www.orrtax.com
(800) 337-6507
IntelliTax Individual, IntelliManager, IntelliTax Business
This year's products, with limited functionality, available on free CD for demonstration purposes. All packages priced at a significant discount (35 percent off through September 30).
* Petz Enterprises
Tracy, Calif.
www.petzent.com
(800) 345-4337
CrossLink
"Fly for Free" and free demos available on CD or by downloading from Web site. Early renewal discounts available.
* 2nd Story Software
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
www.taxact.com
(800) 573-4287
TaxAct
Free evaluation copy and early-bird discounts available.
* TaxSimple Inc.
Randolph, N.J.
www.taxsimple.com
(800) 989-8955
TaxSimple
Free full version of 2006 tax-year CD, including state and federal 1040s with over 2,000 forms, schedules and worksheets, and e-filing capabilities. CD also includes programs for Forms 1120, 1120S, 1065, 1041, 706, 709 and 990. Demo available at www.taxsimple.net. Special pricing and discounts for first-time users; early renewals and conversion discounts available.
* TaxWise
Rome, Ga.
www.taxwise.com
(800) 755-9473
TaxWise
Free evaluation kit supplies a demo version of Forms 1040, 1120, 1120S, 165, 1041, 706, 709 and 990, and state modules. Also offers promotional pricing for new users, early renewal discounts and discounts for multiple offices. The new integrated suite of accounting products includes client write-up with payroll, and Scan&Fill, a new program that lets you export scanned client data directly to tax returns.
* TaxWorks
Kaysville, Utah
www.taxworks.com
(800) 230-2322
TaxWorks
Free demos on CD for federal and state Forms 1040, 1041, 1065, 1120, 1120S, 706, 709, 990 and 5500. Discounts for early renewals and for new users on selected packages. Free e-filing now included with every return.
* Thomson Tax & Accounting
Dexter, Mich.
www.gosystem.thomson.com
(800) 726-1040
GoSystem Tax (CD) and GoSystem Tax RS (Web-based)
Free 30-day test drive available on CD or Web. GoSystem Tax RS Test Drive includes all features of the Web-based software, and 30-day access for 100 users, including 25 returns for all tax types and all states.
UltraTax CS
http://cs.thomson.com
(800) 968-8900
Complete 2006 UltraTax CS software package at no charge for evaluation purposes. Early renewals are offered a discount, and specially priced new user packages are available. Trial includes a free white paper of 21 tips for growing your practice.