Overcoming Obstacles with the Right Tax Software

2017 Annual Survey of New York State Practitioners

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

In BriefNew York tax practitioners encountered new challenges during the 2017 tax season, most notably meeting the new driver's license reporting requirements and obtaining assistance from IRS and state representatives. Respondents to The CPA Journal's 2017 Tax Software Survey expressed overall satisfaction, however, with the tax preparation and research software that enabled them to meet taxpayers' needs for compliance and planning. Although value for cost continues to be a concern, the 2017 ratings for both tax preparation and research software increased slightly to levels higher than in the early years of the survey. Most survey participants continue to use the IRS and state tax department websites and have discovered a variety of other helpful free online resources to assist in tax research, including professional discussion forums, where they can share insights with other tax professionals.