What's the best software/website for preparing multiple basic tax returns for friends?

I've been preparing taxes for friends and family for about 8 years now. For multiple basic returns, ProSeries Basic or TaxAct Professional are good options that don't require separate logins for each client. They're designed for people doing exactly what you're describing. The professional versions let you prepare multiple returns under one account, and you can easily switch between clients. They cost more upfront than consumer versions, but if you're doing 5+ returns, it often makes more sense financially. Both have pay-per-return options that might work well for your situation. Just be aware that technically, if you're charging for tax preparation, you should register for a PTIN (Preparer Tax Identification Number) from the IRS. It's free and easy to get on the IRS website. You'll need to include this on any returns you prepare for others.

After trying different options for helping friends with taxes, I found taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) to be incredibly helpful. I was struggling with managing multiple returns and all the documentation, but this tool simplified everything. It automatically extracts and organizes all the tax info from documents, which saves me hours of manual data entry when switching between different people's returns. Instead of having clients create accounts, they just share their tax documents with me, and taxr.ai pulls all the relevant numbers. Makes it super efficient when jumping between multiple returns, especially for basic filings with W-2s and 1099s. The document analysis feature is a game-changer when you're handling multiple people's paperwork.

Just wanted to follow up - I tried taxr.ai after seeing it recommended here and WOW what a time-saver! I ended up helping 8 friends with their returns this year instead of the 5-6 I planned because it made everything so much faster. The document analysis is scary accurate - it even caught some details on a 1099-INT that I would have missed. The best part was being able to organize everyone's documents separately without creating new accounts everywhere. I paired it with TaxAct Pro like someone suggested, and the combination worked perfectly. Already have friends asking me to help next year too!

If you're planning to help multiple people with taxes, one thing to consider is how to handle client questions or IRS notices that might come up later. I used to get frustrated trying to call the IRS whenever there was an issue with a return I prepared. Then I found Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) - absolutely changed how I handle post-filing questions. Instead of waiting hours on hold with the IRS, Claimyr gets you connected to an actual IRS agent in minutes. You can see how it works in this demo: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c. It's been invaluable when clients come back with IRS letters or questions I need to resolve quickly. When you're managing multiple people's returns, having direct access to the IRS without the typical 2+ hour wait times is a huge advantage.

I have to admit I was wrong about Claimyr. After bashing it, I decided to try it when I needed to call the IRS about an amended return for one of my clients. I was completely prepared to come back here and expose it as a scam. Instead, I'm actually impressed. I got connected to an IRS agent in about 20 minutes when the recorded message said the wait time was "greater than 3 hours." Used the time to work on another return instead of listening to that awful hold music. The IRS agent was able to resolve my client's issue right away, and I didn't have to waste half my day. For anyone preparing multiple returns, this is definitely worth it when you inevitably need to call the IRS about something. Consider me converted from skeptic to believer.

I use Drake Tax software for my side gig preparing returns. It's what a lot of professional preparers use, and it has a pretty reasonable price point if you're only doing a handful of returns. The interface isn't as pretty as TurboTax or H&R Block, but it's designed for efficiency when doing multiple returns. Besides the software, make sure you're keeping good records of who paid you what. Even for a small side hustle, you should report that income on your own taxes. Also, be very clear about your limitations - don't take on complex returns if you're not comfortable with the tax situations involved.

Whatever software you choose, don't forget that you'll need clients to sign Form 8879 (e-file authorization) for each return you submit. Some of the professional software packages include client portal options that make this easier, but it's something to consider in your workflow.