Professional Tax Preparation Software

>If not off topic for this forum, I would appreciate comments from other tax
>professionals about their tax prep software.
>I have used Ultra Tax for many years and in general have been very happy
>with the software.  Pricing however is another issue.  The program is easy
>to use and complete in the forms and returns area, but the pricing has just
>gone up too much for my current practice requirements and I am looking to
>make a change.
>I am seriously looking at Intuit ProSeries (since I am also a QuickBooks
>ProAdvisor) and at Drake Software.  I was also considering ATX but some of
>the reviews have not been as good.
>Drake seems very inexpensive (by comparison), but I wonder if it is complete
>and easy to use.  ProSeries seems complete and easy to use with good client
>presentation materials, and although less expensive than UltraTax, it is
>more expensive than Drake.
>I have ordered eval software for both ProSeries and Drake.
>My practice is not large but I do have a few multi-state corporations, LLC's
>and S-corps with the shareholders also as clients so transfer of the K-1 is
>important, and several parent/child returns that need the information to be
>shared among them.
>I also want to be able to modify the client letters, organizer letters, and
>invoice formats.  The standard formats never seem to be exactly what I want.
>I efile virtually all 1040's.  Ultra Tax does everything I want, but it is
>just too expensive now.
>Any comments on your experience would be appreciated.

>>If not off topic for this forum, I would appreciate comments from other
>>tax
>>professionals about their tax prep software.
>>
>>I have used Ultra Tax for many years and in general have been very happy
>>with the software.  Pricing however is another issue.  The program is easy
>>to use and complete in the forms and returns area, but the pricing has
>>just
>>gone up too much for my current practice requirements and I am looking to
>>make a change.
>>
>>I am seriously looking at Intuit ProSeries (since I am also a QuickBooks
>>ProAdvisor) and at Drake Software.  I was also considering ATX but some of
>>the reviews have not been as good.
>>
>>Drake seems very inexpensive (by comparison), but I wonder if it is
>>complete
>>and easy to use.  ProSeries seems complete and easy to use with good
>>client
>>presentation materials, and although less expensive than UltraTax, it is
>>more expensive than Drake.
>>
>>I have ordered eval software for both ProSeries and Drake.
>>
>>My practice is not large but I do have a few multi-state corporations,
>>LLC's
>>and S-corps with the shareholders also as clients so transfer of the K-1
>>is
>>important, and several parent/child returns that need the information to
>>be
>>shared among them.
>>
>>I also want to be able to modify the client letters, organizer letters,
>>and
>>invoice formats.  The standard formats never seem to be exactly what I
>>want.
>>I efile virtually all 1040's.  Ultra Tax does everything I want, but it is
>>just too expensive now.
>>
>>Any comments on your experience would be appreciated.
> Not a surprise that everytime you add a new owner (Thompson - Reuters
> - Creative Solutions) the price goes up.
> But in my opinion, UltraTax service/maintenance is outstanding, and
> you might be willing to pay more for that alone.
> --
> ArtKamlet  at  a o l dot c o m  Columbus OH  K2PZH

>I am seriously looking at Intuit ProSeries (since I am also a QuickBooks
>ProAdvisor) and at Drake Software.  I was also considering ATX but some of
>the reviews have not been as good.

> On Sun, 22 Nov 2009 15:11:28 EST, "CMS_VA_CPA"
>>I am seriously looking at Intuit ProSeries (since I am also a QuickBooks
>>ProAdvisor) and at Drake Software.  I was also considering ATX but some of
>>the reviews have not been as good.
> I use ProSeries and have looked at Drake several times. ProSeries
> support sometimes leaves something to be desired. I have tried several
> times to get them to fix the MAGI calculation on Form 8582-AMT. I just
> get ignored. A lot of nice worksheets though and the input resembles
> the forms. Drake is less complete in its overall calculations. For
> example, last time I looked they made no attempt to calculate AMT PAL
> carryovers. On the other hand, Drake has more forms than ProSeries. I
> do not like their input screens for several reasons. They are not form
> based and they still seem to DOS like.
> You may also want to look at Tax Works. I haven't used it but
> evaluated it several times. They are owned by H&R Bloch.
> Drew Edmundson, CPA
> Cary, NC