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December 2000
2001 Tax Software Update: More of the
Same, Only Better
By
Jay Dismukes
As we approach the first year of the 21st century, Internet technology
can hardly be called revolutionary, but web-based applications are continuing
to revolutionize the tax software industry.
While it may seem like more of the same, 2000 tax software has clearly
taken advantage of the concepts and functionality of the past several
years.
And rightfully so. According to a 2000 survey conducted by online market
researcher Harris Interactive, 84 percent of the 600 accountants surveyed
said they use the Internet for business purposes. Of those, 59 percent
use it every day and 95 percent use it every week.
With that in mind, it is no wonder that the majority of tax software
companies are making their websites as user-friendly as possible, providing
downloadable updates and demos as well as customer service information.
In addition, electronic filing has taken a big leap forward, with more
than half of those accountants surveyed currently e-filing tax returns.
Feeding off this e-business trend, online client organizers are fast
becoming must-have items, insiders say.
The following is a noncomprehensive list of some of the major tax software
vendors that are including these features in their packages—and further
enticing tax professionals with some pretty nice deals.
Alpine Data Inc.
Montrose, Colo.
www.alpinedata.com
(800) 525-1040
Tax/Pack Professional
Free 1999 demo of 1040 with appropriate federal and state files. Basic
package for individual federal returns costs $430, state returns cost
$150; both include laser forms. There are no pay return limits and no
per person fees. Federal forms have been added. New features include a
client management program and enhancements to e-filing system. Free updates
are available on the website or in-house BBS.
AM Software
Kansas City, Mo.
www.amtax.com
(800) 859-8537 AM-Tax Pro 1040
Online ordering of tax packages and downloadable updates are available
at the website. Demo versions of federal 1040, 1120, combined with 1065/1120S
are also available at the site or on disk. Full working copy of 2000 personal
1040 software costs $29, $19 for states. Professional tax products for
2000 1040 are available for $169, $79 for first state and $49 for each
additional state. Support e-filing for federal 1040 through any third-party
transmitter. Support e-filing for seven individual state returns (Colorado,
Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, and South Carolina)
through Nelco.
ATX Caribou, Maine
www.atxforms.com
(800) 944-8883
Saber Pro, atxforms, MAX,
Ultimate PRS
Saber Pro provides more than 40 federal programs and more than 170 state
programs from which to choose. Saber 1040 costs $149 with e-filing, 1120
is priced at $99. The atxforms package contains more than 5,000 government-approved
forms with in-depth calculations and worksheets. With atxforms, both federal
and state returns (as many as needed) are priced together at $9.95. Ultimate
PRS pay-per-return program is $69. Federal return is $9.95 with free matching
state return. MAX, which includes 1099/W2 program, combines the power
of Saber Pro and the library of atxforms, providing 43 federal tax programs
plus 200 state tax programs with thousands of atxforms for $595. Additional
features include batch printing, batch import/export, and bottom line
status bar that tracks and records return changes.
CCH Inc.Torrance, Calif.
www.prosystemfx.com
(800) 739-9998
ProSystem fx Tax
CCH offers federal 1040, state 1040s, and business tax packages. Evaluation
of 2000 software available on CD-ROM, with 90 days of unlimited access
to all software. TaxNotebook online client organizer and updates are available
on the website.
Creative Solutions
Dexter, Mich.
www.csisolutions.com
(800) 968-8900
Ultra Tax
Call for available discounts, which vary by package. Different packages
include 1040, 1120, 1120S, 1120 consolidated, 1065, 1041, 990, 5500, 706,
and 709. Free evaluation copy includes federal and home state, available
on CD-ROM. Also offers per-return pricing. Under this option, federal
1040s are $15 per return, state 1040s are $8 per return. Federal 1120s
and other federal entities are $25 per return while state and local 1120s
and other state and local entities cost $12. Ultra Tax includes all 1040
states. E-client organizer and e-filing are available.
Drake Software Franklin, N.C.
www.drake-software.com
(800) 890-9500
Drake Tax Solution
Windows and DOS. More than 1,200 forms and schedules available, including
990, 1040, 1120, 1120S, 1065, 1041, 990, and state programs. Free e-filing
direct to BBS, or over the Internet, supports multiple printers for federal
and state returns, blank federal and state forms, interview sheets, and
pro formas. RAL support. Network ready. Pay-per-return available. Unlimited
returns with standard package. Additional features include Quick Estimator,
which tells amount of refund or balance due and produces a 1040 and forms
for e-filing and refund anticipation loans. Downloads and updates available
at website.
Dunphy Systems Columbus, Ohio
www.dunphy.com
(614) 431-0846
Dunphy Systems 1040 Program
Working version of last year’s software is available for $5 on disk or
can be downloaded free from the website. Business equity programs, 1120,
1120S, and 1065 available for $30 each.
ExacTax Anaheim, Calif.
www.exactax.com
(800) 583-3536
Package Ex
Demo software available for federal and state individual. Partnership,
corporation, S corporation, fiduciary, nonprofit. Order via the website
or by phone at (800) 352-3638.
Intuit San Diego, Calif.
www.proseries.com
(800) 934-1040
ProSeries
Free CD-ROM or downloadable evaluation of 1999 version with an eight-unit
CPE self-study course is available. Intuit is also offering free teleseminars
for users qualifying for discounts. The 2000 version also includes Refund
Anticipation Loans (RAL) and Refund Transfer (RT) bank products and a
web organizer that allows professionals to manage and maintain their client
organizer online.
Lacerte Software Dallas, Texas
www.lscsoft.com
(800) 765-7777
Lacerte Tax Software
Free CD-ROM evaluation kit includes a live version of the complete library
of federal programs, sample client data, quick start guide, organizer,
brochure, and needs analysis.
Laser Systems Kaysville, Utah
www.taxworks.com
(800) 230-2322
TaxWorks
Free demos of 2000 programs for federal and state 1040, business tax
1041, 1065, 1120, 1120S, 990, 706, 709, and 5500 are available on CD-ROM.
Software licensing is per location rather than per individual, so companies
with multiple users can use the software without paying extra.
Micro Vision Software Hauppauge,
N.Y.
www.mvsinc.com
(800) Tax Relief or
(800) 829-7354
Tax Relief for Windows
Free evaluation software can be downloaded from the company’s website.
Enhancements include E-Cabinet that stores tax return images and associated
documents produced by Tax Relief electronically. Tax Relief 1040 includes
State If Different worksheet to enter specific K-1 amounts for any state
in the return. State allocation functions for 1120 and 1065 cover all
supported states. New print formatting options and remote printing capabilities.
Orrtax Software, Inc. Bellevue, Wash.
www.intellitax.com or
www.orrtax.com
(800) 377-3337
IntelliTax Suite of Windows Products
Orrtax Tax Preparation: 1040 16-bit Orrtax Software has licensed Microsoft’s
Taxsaver technology, which is integrated into the IntelliTax software.
A free, final 1999 version includes all federal and state forms and worksheets
on CD-ROM. The final version is downloadable.
RIA Group New York
www.riahome.com
(877) 467-8483
GoSystem Tax 2000
Includes customizable transmittal letters that integrate Microsoft Word
and automated determination of IRS Service Center for simplified navigation.
Partnership returns include 1065 e-filing, module that distributes common
state data to all state returns, K-1 transfers between partnership returns,
footnote customization, and new state returns. For corporate returns,
new processing capabilities include Form 1120H. GoSystem Tax RS (the Internet
product) features Go Tracker browser, which tracks due dates and facilitates
time logging and invoicing.
TaxSimple Inc. Randolph, N.J.
www.taxsimple.com
(800) 989-8955
TaxSimple
Call for a free full-working version of 1999 tax program. Get a free
CD with all of last year’s programs including state and federal 1040s
with more than 1,200 forms, schedules, and worksheets. Also includes federal
business programs for 706, 709, 990, 1120, 1120S, 1041, and 1065. Pricing
specials are offered to new customers, as are free downloadable demos
from website. Includes 47 individual state packages.
Universal Tax Systems, Inc. Rome,
Ga.
www.taxwise.com
(800) 755-9473
TaxWise, FormsComplete
Tax preparation and e-filing software that handles 1040, 1120, 1120S,
1041, 990, 706, 709, and 5500 returns and all states. The free evaluation
kit includes all 1999 software on CD-ROM, a tutorial, and more. Varying
discounts are given for early renewal.
Xpress Software West Columbia, S.C.
www.xpresssoftware.com
(800) 285-1065
Xpress Professional Package
1040, one state, laser, e-filing, and communications. Business packages
include 1120, 1120S, 1065, and states. CD includes five-year library.
$25 shipping and handling. Download free demo from website.
This article was prepared based on representations
given by the manufacturers of the software featured here. Neither the author
nor the NYSSCPA has conducted any analysis of the accuracy of the manufacturing
claims. Purchasers of this software should conduct their own analysis of
the software’s fitness for use. |
