Choosing the best tax software for CPAs and accounting firms can make tax preparation more organized, efficient, and easier to manage across multiple clients. Professional tax software can help firms prepare returns, automate calculations, identify potential errors, manage documents, and streamline collaboration.
For CPA firms handling a growing number of individual and business returns, the right software should do more than support tax filing. It should fit the firm’s workflow, integrate with other accounting tools, support the required tax forms and jurisdictions, and provide reliable diagnostics and data management.
This guide compares 10 widely used tax preparation software options for U.S. tax professionals and accounting firms. It focuses on the features that matter when evaluating software, including automation, integrations, workflow management, compliance support, scalability, and pricing considerations.
What Should CPAs Look for in Tax Preparation Software?
The best tax software depends on the firm’s size, client base, return types, workflow, and budget. Before choosing a platform, CPAs and accounting firms should evaluate these key areas.
1. Tax Forms, Calculations, and Compliance
Professional tax software should support the federal, state, and local returns relevant to your clients. Automated calculations, diagnostics, and tax-form updates can help reduce manual work and identify issues before filing.
2. Data Import and Integration
Data entry can consume significant time during tax season. Look for software that supports data sharing, imports, integrations, or scan-and-populate capabilities. Reducing duplicate data entry can improve workflow efficiency and lower the risk of transcription errors.
3. Workflow and Client Management
Firms handling hundreds or thousands of returns need more than tax calculation tools. Workflow management, document sharing, electronic signatures, client portals, and task tracking can help teams manage returns from information collection through filing.
4. Scalability
A suitable solution should support your current workload while allowing the firm to grow. Consider the number of users, return volume, states, business entities, and integrations you may need over time.
5. Pricing and Support
Compare pricing based on your firm’s actual usage rather than looking only at the advertised starting price. Check whether costs depend on users, returns, states, modules, or additional services. Training and technical support are also important considerations for firms adopting new software.
Top 10 Best Tax Preparation Software for CPAs and Accounting Firms
The following options cover different types of professional tax practices, from smaller firms to larger accounting organizations.
1. CCH Axcess Tax
Best for: CPA firms looking for cloud-based professional tax preparation and workflow capabilities.
CCH Axcess Tax from Wolters Kluwer is a cloud-based tax solution designed for accounting firms. Its current package options are structured for different firm sizes and workloads, including small firms and larger organizations.
Key features include:
- Federal, state, and local tax return support
- Automated calculations
- Diagnostics
- Data sharing
- Client data management
- Workflow capabilities
- Electronic filing
- Integration with other CCH Axcess solutions
- Cloud-based access
CCH Axcess Tax also provides different package options, allowing firms to choose capabilities based on their size and workflow requirements.
Pricing: Pricing varies by package, authorization, and firm requirements. Current CCH Axcess Tax Essentials packages are available for eligible new customers, with some packages publicly displaying pricing while other options require a quote.
Why consider it: It can be a strong option for firms that want cloud-based tax preparation combined with broader workflow and accounting firm functionality.
2. CCH ProSystem Fx
Best for: Established accounting firms that need a professional on-premises tax preparation and compliance solution.
CCH ProSystem fx Tax is designed for professional tax preparation and compliance and is part of the broader CCH ProSystem fx Suite. It supports automated calculations, tax forms and schedules, diagnostics, electronic filing, and integration with other CCH solutions.
Key features include:
- Federal and state tax preparation
- Automated calculations
- Tax forms and schedules
- Return diagnostics
- Electronic filing
- Data sharing
- Workflow integration
- Client collaboration
- Integration with the CCH ProSystem fx Suite
Wolters Kluwer currently positions ProSystem fx Tax as an on-premises solution for public accounting firms and emphasizes its integrated digital tax workflow.
Pricing: Contact the vendor for current pricing and package information.
Why consider it: It is particularly relevant for firms that need a mature professional tax workflow and extensive return preparation capabilities.
3. UltraTax CS
Best for: Accounting firms that want professional tax preparation integrated with a broader tax and accounting workflow.
UltraTax CS from Thomson Reuters provides professional tax preparation capabilities for individual and business returns. It supports federal, state, and local tax programs and includes tools designed to reduce repetitive data entry.
Key features include:
- Federal, state, and local tax programs
- Individual and business returns
- Data sharing between returns
- Automated calculations
- Diagnostics
- Multistate tax preparation
- Electronic filing
- Paperless workflow capabilities
- Multi-monitor functionality
- Integration with CS Professional Suite products
Thomson Reuters states that UltraTax CS supports a broad range of return types, including 1040, 1120, 1120S, 1065, 1041, 706, 709, 990, and 5500.
Pricing: Custom pricing is available based on factors such as users, returns, states, and jurisdictions.
Why consider it: Firms that already use Thomson Reuters products may benefit from its integration across tax and accounting workflows.
4. Lacerte Tax
Best for: Tax professionals handling complex individual and business returns.
Lacerte Tax is Intuit’s professional tax preparation platform for accounting and tax professionals. It is designed for firms that need tools for tax analysis, return preparation, diagnostics, and managing complex client situations.
Key considerations include:
- Tax return preparation
- Tax planning and analysis
- Support for numerous forms
- Diagnostics
- Data import
- Document and workflow capabilities
- Electronic signatures
- Paperless processes
- Integration with other Intuit products
Pricing: Pricing depends on the selected package, return types, and other requirements. Firms should verify current pricing directly with Intuit before making a purchasing decision.
Why consider it: Lacerte can be considered by firms that work with complex tax returns and want a professional tax preparation environment.
5. Drake Tax
Best for: Tax preparation firms looking for a professional solution with flexible purchasing options.
Drake Tax provides tax preparation and workflow tools for professional tax preparers. Its feature set includes return preparation, tax planning, electronic signatures, data management, diagnostics, and return comparison.
Key features include:
- Tax preparation
- Tax planner
- Tax estimator
- E-signatures
- Automated data flow
- Return comparison
- Return archiving
- Backup and restore
- Scheduling
- Diagnostics
- Electronic filing
Pricing: Drake offers different purchasing options, including pay-per return and package-based plans. Because pricing can change by tax year and plan, verify current pricing before publishing a specific price.
Why consider it: Drake can be a practical option for firms that want professional tax preparation capabilities with different purchasing models.
6. GoSystem Tax RS
Best for: Larger accounting firms and tax departments that need an online professional tax workflow.
GoSystem Tax RS is Thomson Reuters’ professional income tax software designed to support tax preparation and workflow across firms of different sizes.
Key features include:
- Professional tax preparation
- Federal and state tax support
- Data import and export
- Multi-user access
- Third-party integrations
- Workflow support
- Electronic filing
- Tax compliance capabilities
Thomson Reuters currently describes GoSystem Tax RS as an online professional income tax solution designed to handle tax workflows regardless of firm size.
Pricing: Contact Thomson Reuters for current pricing.
Why consider it: It can be appropriate for firms looking for an online tax environment and broader workflow capabilities.
Must Read: Step by Step Process for Outsourcing Tax Preparation Services from CapActix
7. ProSeries
Best for: Small and mid-sized tax practices that want professional tax preparation software.
ProSeries is an Intuit tax preparation solution designed for tax professionals. It provides tools for preparing returns, managing client information, importing data, and handling electronic filing.
Common capabilities include:
- Tax return preparation
- Tax calculations
- Data import and export
- Electronic filing
- Client management
- E-signatures
- Alerts and reminders
- Billing and invoicing
- Integration options
Pricing: Pricing varies by package and return volume. Confirm the current plan structure and pricing before purchasing.
Why consider it: ProSeries may be suitable for firms that need professional tax preparation capabilities without the broader complexity of some enterprise-focused platforms.
8. Intuit ProConnect Tax
Best for: Accounting firms that want cloud-based professional tax preparation integrated with accounting workflows.
ProConnect Tax is designed for tax professionals and accounting firms that want online tax preparation and integration with other Intuit products.
Key features include:
- Online tax preparation
- Data import
- Automated data entry
- Client information management
- Workflow automation
- Electronic filing
- Integration with accounting applications
- Templates and forms
- Reporting
Pricing: ProConnect pricing can vary by return type and plan. Check Intuit’s current pricing before making a purchasing decision.
Why consider it: Firms already working within the Intuit ecosystem may find the integrations useful for moving information between accounting and tax workflows.
9. H&R Block
Best for: Smaller tax preparation operations and users looking for a more consumer-oriented tax preparation platform.
H&R Block is better known for consumer and tax-professional services than for enterprise accounting firm tax workflows. Because of that, CPA firms should carefully compare its professional capabilities against dedicated professional tax platforms before selecting it for a larger practice.
Potential considerations include:
- Tax preparation
- Electronic filing
- Tax calculation
- Tax support
- Online access
- Client-facing tax services
Pricing: Pricing varies by service, tax situation, and filing requirements.
Why consider it: It may be relevant for specific smaller-scale tax preparation needs, but firms handling complex or high-volume professional workflows should evaluate dedicated CPA tax software first.
10. TurboTax
Best for: Individual taxpayers and selected small-business tax situations rather than complex CPA-firm workflows.
TurboTax is widely recognized as a consumer tax preparation platform. It can be useful for individuals and certain small-business users, but it should not automatically be treated as equivalent to professional CPA tax preparation software
Common capabilities include:
- Guided tax preparation
- Tax calculations
- Electronic filing
- Tax refund calculations
- Expert assistance options
- Support for various tax situations
Pricing: Pricing varies according to the product, tax situation, and level of assistance.
Why consider it: TurboTax can be useful for individual or simpler tax situations, but accounting firms managing complex client portfolios should compare professional platforms such as CCH Axcess Tax, ProSystem fx Tax, UltraTax CS, Lacerte, Drake Tax, or ProConnect Tax.
Must Read: 6 Vital Accounting Applications & Tools to Smoothly Outsource Accounting Services
How to Choose the Best Tax Software for Your CPA Firm
There is no single tax software platform that is best for every accounting firm. The right choice depends on your firm’s workload, clients, tax return types, budget, and existing technology stack.
Before choosing a solution, consider:
Match the Software to Your Client Base
Determine whether you primarily prepare individual 1040 returns, business returns, partnerships, S corporations, corporations, trusts, or a combination of return types.
Evaluate Return Volume
A firm processing a few hundred returns may have different requirements from a firm processing several thousand returns. Compare pricing and workflow features based on your actual volume.
Check State and Local Requirements
If your clients operate across multiple states, verify that the software supports the jurisdictions and forms your team needs.
Review Integration Capabilities
Determine whether you primarily prepare individual 1040 returns, business returns, partnerships, S corporations, corporations, trusts, or a combination of return types.
Match the Software to Your Client Base
Check whether the software integrates with your accounting, document management, client portal, workflow, and electronic-signature tools.
Consider Cloud vs. On-Premise Deployment
Cloud-based solutions can provide easier remote access and centralized updates, while on-premise systems may be preferred by firms with specific infrastructure or workflow requirements.
Evaluate Support and Training
Tax software changes frequently as tax rules, forms, and filing requirements evolve. Reliable vendor support and training can help your team use the software effectively.
Can Tax Software Replace Tax Preparation Services?
Tax software can automate calculations, data entry, diagnostics, filing, and other parts of the tax preparation process, but it does not replace professional judgment.
CPAs and tax professionals still need to:
- Review client information
- Identify unusual tax situations
- Interpret applicable tax rules
- Verify supporting documentation
- Review diagnostics and exceptions
- Communicate with clients
- Approve returns before filing
For accounting firms experiencing seasonal workload increases, outsourced tax preparation services can complement existing software and internal teams. An outsourcing partner can assist with recurring preparation tasks while the CPA retains review and client-management responsibilities.
Why Training and Workflow Matter
Purchasing tax software is only one part of improving a firm’s tax preparation process.
Teams should understand how to use the software’s data import, diagnostics, workflow, electronic filing, document management, and collaboration features. Without proper training and standardized processes, firms may not receive the full benefit of technology.
A practical implementation process can include:
- Define the firm’s tax workflow.
- Identify the return types and jurisdictions required.
- Configure users and permissions.
- Connect to relevant accounting and document systems.
- Establish documents and data collection procedures.
- Train staff on the software.
- Create review and quality control procedures.
- Monitor workflow performance during tax season.
Final Thoughts
The best tax software for CPAs and accounting firms is not necessarily the platform with the longest feature list or the lowest starting price. The right solution should match your firm’s return volume, client complexity, workflow, integrations, compliance requirements, and budget.
Professional platforms such as CCH Axcess Tax, CCH ProSystem fx Tax, UltraTax CS, Lacerte Tax, Drake Tax, GoSystem Tax RS, ProSeries, and ProConnect Tax are worth evaluating based on your firm’s specific requirements. Consumer-focused platforms such as H&R Block and TurboTax may be suitable for certain simpler tax situations but should be assessed carefully before being adopted for a professional CPA workflow.
Before making a decision, request current pricing and demonstrations, verify supported forms and states, assess integrations, and test the workflow with your actual tax preparation process. For firms dealing with increasing seasonal workloads, combining the right tax software with outsourced tax preparation services can also help expand capacity while allowing CPAs to focus on review, advisory work, and client relationships.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best tax software for CPA firms?
The best tax software depends on a firm’s return volume, client complexity, supported forms, integrations, workflow, and budget. Professional options include CCH Axcess Tax, CCH ProSystem fx Tax, UltraTax CS, Lacerte, Drake Tax, GoSystem Tax RS, ProSeries, and ProConnect Tax.
What should a CPA look for in tax preparation software?
Is tax software enough for a CPA firm?
Tax software can automate many preparation and filing tasks, but CPAs still need to review client information, apply professional judgment, verify returns, and ensure compliance.
Can CPA firms outsource tax preparation?
Yes. Firms can use outsourced tax preparation services to support recurring preparation work and manage seasonal workload while retaining review and client-management responsibilities.
