Top Choices in Tax Software

2015 Annual Survey of New State York Practitioners

Susan B. Anders, PhD, CPA, CGMA, and Carol M. Fischer, PhD, CPA, CGMA

In BriefIn 2015, New York State CPAs continued to report satisfaction with tax preparation and commercial tax research packages: the overall weighted-average ratings increased across both categories. Cost remained an important issue, especially for tax research resources. This year's survey on tax preparation software examined “value for cost” and the ratings reflected an improvement in “average cost” for the third consecutive year. The average cost rating for commercial tax research software packages increased substantially relative to the last few years and reached its highest level since 2012. More survey participants reported taking advantage of free resources for tax research, particularly in their everyday practice activities.But the challenges of the 2015 tax season appear to have created greater difficulties for tax professionals. The majority of respondents experienced complications from tax law changes under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010, including determining the exemption qualifications and receiving incorrect Forms 1095-A, “Health Insurance Marketplace Statement.” More than one-quarter of survey respondents reported significant problems related to late or incorrect Forms 1099 or Schedules K-1. In addition, many participants faced identity theft issues; more than half had to resolve rejected e-filed returns due to suspected identity theft.