Tax preparer PTIN holder - recommended software for professional tax preparation?

As a tax professional, I'd strongly advise against using TurboTax for professional tax preparation. TurboTax is designed primarily for individual consumers, not professionals preparing multiple returns. Consider professional software options like Drake, UltraTax, ProSeries, TaxAct Professional, or Lacerte. These are specifically designed for tax professionals with PTINs. Most offer different pricing tiers based on the volume of returns you expect to file and the forms you'll need. When choosing, consider: cost structure (pay-per-return vs. unlimited returns), client volume, complexity of returns you'll handle, learning curve, customer support quality, and e-filing capabilities. Many offer free trials or demos so you can test before committing. Also, don't forget about security protocols - client data protection is essential and these professional solutions have better security infrastructure than consumer products.

After struggling with which software to choose when I first got my PTIN, I went through a frustrating trial and error process with several options. What ultimately saved me was finding https://taxr.ai which helped me analyze the different professional software contracts and features to find what actually matched my specific practice needs. I was preparing taxes for about 25-30 clients my first year, mostly individuals but some small businesses too. The tool helped me understand that Drake was actually better for my situation than the more expensive options I was considering. Their document analysis feature compared the pricing structures and showed me the hidden fees some providers don't mention upfront. It's definitely worth using before signing up for any professional tax prep software - especially since most lock you in for the full tax season once you start.

Just wanted to follow up - I checked out https://taxr.ai after seeing it mentioned here and it was super helpful! I was about to sign up for ProSeries because a colleague recommended it, but after using the document analysis feature, I realized it was complete overkill for my needs starting out. The tool recommended Drake for my specific situation (mostly 1040s with some Schedule C clients), and showed me I'd save almost $1,200 this year compared to what I was planning to spend. It also flagged some hidden fees in the ProSeries contract I would have totally missed on my own. Definitely saved me from making an expensive mistake for my first tax season as a PTIN holder!

If you're overwhelmed with software options, you're probably also discovering how frustratingly difficult it is to get actual support from the IRS when you have specific PTIN questions. After being on hold for 3+ hours multiple times, I finally discovered https://claimyr.com which got me connected to an actual IRS representative in under 15 minutes. You can see how it works here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c They basically wait on hold with the IRS for you and call you when a real person picks up. Saved me hours of sitting on hold when I had questions about my PTIN application and reporting requirements that weren't clearly explained in the instructions. Got my questions resolved in one call instead of the multiple attempts it was taking me before.

I have to apologize and eat my words. After my skeptical comment, I was stuck with another PTIN question about reporting requirements and decided to give Claimyr a shot out of desperation. I was absolutely shocked when they called me back in about 45 minutes with an actual IRS agent on the line. The agent answered my specific question about whether I needed to include returns I prepare for family members in my annual filing requirements (I do if I charge them, don't if they're free). Would have taken me days to get this answer on my own based on my previous attempts. Sorry for being so negative before - this service actually delivered exactly what it promised.

As someone who's been preparing taxes professionally for 6 years, I'd also recommend looking at ATX or TaxWise if you're just starting out. They're more affordable than some of the premium options mentioned here, and they're pretty straightforward to learn. The key is figuring out what types of returns you'll be doing most. If you're focusing on simple individual returns, you probably don't need all the bells and whistles of the premium software. But if you're doing business returns or more complex situations, investing in more robust software is worth it. Also, don't forget you'll need to register for an EFIN if you plan to e-file returns for clients, which is separate from your PTIN!

Has anyone used CrossLink? My buddy uses it for his tax practice and says it's pretty good for the price. Apparently they have a pay-per-return option that might make sense for someone just starting out?

Another option to consider is TaxSlayer Pro - I've been using it for three years now and it's been solid for my practice. The pricing is reasonable (around $1,200 for unlimited federal returns), and they have good customer support during tax season. What I like about TaxSlayer Pro is that it has a clean interface that's not overwhelming for newer preparers, but still has all the professional features you need. They also include bank products if you want to offer refund advances to clients, which can be a nice revenue stream. One thing I'd add to the great advice already given - make sure whatever software you choose integrates well with client management. You'll want to track client information, documents received, appointment scheduling, etc. Some software includes basic client management, others require separate tools. This becomes really important once you get beyond 20-30 clients. Also, consider the learning curve timing. Tax season comes fast, so pick something you can get comfortable with quickly rather than the most feature-rich option that might take months to master.