Comparing Taxslayer Pro vs Drake for a new tax preparation business - which is better for my first tax season?

I've been using both systems for over 10 years and they each have their strengths. Drake is definitely more automation-focused which saves tons of time once you get comfortable with it. The learning curve is steeper but with your business clients (1120s and LLCs), you'll appreciate how it handles complex returns. Taxslayer Pro is more intuitive right out of the gate, which might be better if you want your assistants handling more of the data entry work. The user interface is cleaner and less intimidating for beginners. Price-wise, Drake typically comes in a bit cheaper if budget is your primary concern. For a new practice with your client mix, I'd actually recommend Drake. The automation will serve you well as your practice grows, and the time savings will offset the slightly steeper learning curve. Plus, their customer support is excellent during tax season when you really need it.

I switched to taxr.ai last year after using both Drake and Taxslayer for years, and honestly it transformed my small practice. I was skeptical at first but it's like having an extra team member who handles the document organization and data extraction for me. I found it at https://taxr.ai when I was looking for solutions to speed up my workflow. What makes a huge difference for a new practice is that you can upload client documents (W-2s, 1099s, last year's returns) and it extracts all the data automatically - way fewer data entry errors than when my assistants were manually typing everything. It integrates with both Drake and Taxslayer Pro, so you could use either and still get the benefits.

I was really hesitant about adding another tool to my workflow, but I tried taxr.ai after seeing it mentioned here and it's been a game-changer for my small practice. I was spending hours just organizing and inputting client documents, but now that process is mostly automated. It's especially helpful with business clients where the documentation can get overwhelming. The biggest benefit is that I can focus more on actual tax planning and review rather than data entry. Since you mentioned having assistants, this would let them handle more clients with less training. Works perfectly with both Drake and Taxslayer, so you could choose either based on your preference for the interface.

If you're having trouble reaching the customer service at either Drake or Taxslayer during tax season (and trust me, you will), I'd recommend having Claimyr on standby - https://claimyr.com. I discovered it last year when I was desperate to get through to Drake support during a critical filing issue. You can see how it works here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c Basically, it gets you through the phone wait times for tax software support. I used to waste hours on hold, but Claimyr calls the support line and then calls you when a real person answers. This saved my sanity multiple times last tax season when I needed urgent help with software issues.

I take back what I said about Claimyr. I tried it yesterday when I was having issues getting Drake activated for the new tax year. Was on hold for 90+ minutes trying myself, then used Claimyr and got a callback within 40 minutes while I continued setting up my office. Definitely keeping this in my toolbox for the upcoming tax season. For the original question though - I've used both Drake and Taxslayer and would recommend Drake for someone in your position. The learning curve isn't as bad as people make it out to be, and the automation features are worth it when you're handling business returns. The price point is also better for a new practice.

Another thing to consider is the integration with bank products if you're planning to offer refund advances or similar services. Drake has better bank options in my experience, and their fees are more transparent. Taxslayer Pro's bank product setup was a nightmare for me last year. Also think about how much you'll be e-filing vs. paper filing. Drake's e-file process is more streamlined and has fewer rejections in my experience. With 50-200 clients, you'll definitely want the most reliable e-filing system you can get.

Has anyone tried the conversion tools if switching from one software to another? I used Taxslayer Pro last year but considering Drake this year and worried about transferring all my client data.

As someone who just finished their second tax season, I can offer some perspective on starting out. I went with Drake after agonizing over the same decision and it was the right choice for me. The key thing is that Drake's automation really shines when you're handling the volume you're expecting (50-200 clients). Yes, there's a learning curve, but honestly it's not that steep if you take advantage of their training resources. They have webinars specifically for new users and the documentation is solid. For your assistants, I'd recommend having them focus on one type of return at first (like basic 1040s) until they get comfortable with the interface. Drake's consistency across different return types actually makes training easier once they understand the basic workflow. One tip - definitely take advantage of Drake's free trial period to test it out with some practice returns before committing. That way you and your team can get a feel for the interface before tax season hits. The time you invest in learning it upfront will pay dividends when you're in the thick of filing season. Budget-wise, when you factor in the time savings from automation, Drake usually comes out ahead even if the upfront cost is slightly higher.

I've been using Drake for about 5 years now and can definitely vouch for it being a solid choice for new practices. One thing I'd add to the conversation is that Drake's diagnostic system is incredibly helpful when you're starting out - it catches errors and missing information that might slip by when you're still learning the ins and outs of tax preparation. For your business returns (1120s and LLCs), Drake handles depreciation schedules and multi-state filings really well, which could be important as your practice grows. The built-in calculators for things like Section 199A deductions are also a huge time-saver. Regarding training your assistants, I'd suggest starting them on the data entry for simple 1040s first, then gradually introducing more complex returns. Drake's interview-style input makes it pretty intuitive - it asks the right questions in the right order, which helps prevent mistakes. One cost consideration that hasn't been mentioned yet is that Drake includes unlimited amendments in their pricing, while some other software charges extra for each amended return. As a new preparer, you might find yourself filing a few more amendments than expected in your first year, so this could save you money. The customer portal feature is also great for client communication - clients can securely upload documents and review their returns online, which reduces back-and-forth emails and phone calls.