Drake Tax is the best tax software for most accountants and tax firms in 2026, because it covers federal and state returns at a published price. For a small practice with modest volume, ProConnect Tax is the best budget pick, since you pay only for the returns you file.
Larger CPA firms usually choose between UltraTax CS and CCH Axcess Tax, both of which connect to a wider suite for practice management, documents, and fixed assets. Lacerte suits firms with complex individual and business returns, and ATX fits small offices that want a desktop package with published prices.
Before you switch, run a sample of last season’s returns through a trial or demo and check how prior-year data converts. A conversion that breaks depreciation schedules or carryforwards can cost more hours than the new software saves.
Our top pick
Drake Tax
Federal and state returns at one published price, with a free trial to prove it.
Quick picks
Best overall
Best for large CPA firms
Best for complex returns
Best cloud suite
Best on a budget
How we ranked these tools
We scored each program on five criteria: fit for professional preparers and CPA firms, depth of forms and return types, pricing and value, ease of use, and support. We based the scores on vendor documentation, published pricing, and public user reviews. We did not accept payment for placement. Prices reflect published rates as of October 2026, and tax software pricing changes each season, so confirm the current price with the vendor.
The 6 best tax software programs for accountants
1. Drake Tax
Best for independent preparers and small to mid-size firms
Our rating4.7 / 5
Starting price$299.99 + per-return fees
Free planFree trial
Drake Tax is desktop tax software built for independent preparers and small to mid-size firms. Drake Tax Pro covers unlimited individual and business returns for $3,145 when bought before December 1 ($3,295 after). Lower-volume offices can start with Pay-Per-Return at $379.99, which includes 10 individual returns, or Drake Tax Online at $299.99 on a pay-per-return model. A free trial includes sample clients and test returns. The keyboard-driven entry screens feel dated to staff raised on cloud apps.
Pros
- Unlimited package covers individual and business returns
- Published pricing with an early-purchase discount
- Free trial with sample clients and test returns
Cons
- Interface feels dated next to cloud tools
- Desktop edition needs hosting for remote staff
Key features
- Unlimited federal and state returns
- Pay-per-return option
- Online edition
- Prior-year data carryforward
2. UltraTax CS
Best for large CPA firms with complex returns
Our rating4.6 / 5
Starting priceCustom pricing
Free planNo
UltraTax CS from Thomson Reuters is desktop tax software for CPA firms that file a high volume of complex returns. It covers individual, business, fiduciary, and exempt organization returns, and it connects with the rest of the CS Professional Suite, including Practice CS and Fixed Assets CS, so data moves between tax, depreciation, and billing. Thomson Reuters quotes pricing based on the forms, states, and licenses a firm needs. It costs more than most tools here, and a small practice pays for depth it may not use.
Pros
- Deep forms coverage for complex returns
- Tight links to other CS Professional Suite tools
- Built for multi-preparer review
Cons
- No published pricing
- Expensive for small practices
- Desktop software unless you add hosting
Key features
- Individual, business, and fiduciary returns
- Fixed asset integration
- Multi-state returns
- Review diagnostics
3. Lacerte
Best for firms with complex individual and business returns
Our rating4.5 / 5
Starting price$599 / year + per-return fees
Free planFree trial
Lacerte is Intuit’s desktop tax software for firms that prepare complex individual and business returns, including partnerships, corporations, and trusts. Its detailed input screens suit experienced preparers who want control over every line. Intuit lists a pay-per-return license at $599 per year for a single user, with per-return fees on top, and offers custom bundles or unlimited plans through a consultation. New customers can try it free. Hosting costs extra, and the per-return fees are not listed upfront, so get a quote before you budget.
Pros
- Handles complex business and trust returns
- Pay-per-return entry point at $599 a year
- Free trial for new customers
Cons
- Per-return fees not listed upfront
- Hosting is a paid add-on
- Steeper learning curve than Drake Tax
Key features
- Pay-per-return or bundle licensing
- Partnership, corporate, and trust returns
- Depreciation tools
- Hosted option
4. CCH Axcess Tax
Best for firms that want a cloud tax and workflow suite
Our rating4.4 / 5
Starting priceCustom pricing
Free planNo
CCH Axcess Tax from Wolters Kluwer is cloud tax software for mid-size and large CPA firms. It runs in a browser and shares one client database with other CCH Axcess modules for workflow, documents, and practice management, so a firm can standardize on one vendor. It covers individual and business returns for firms with many preparers working across locations. Wolters Kluwer quotes pricing by module and firm size. The suite takes real implementation effort, and smaller firms often find it heavier than they need.
Pros
- Browser-based access for distributed teams
- Shares data with other CCH Axcess modules
- Built for high return volume
Cons
- No published pricing
- Implementation takes time
- More than a small firm needs
Key features
- Cloud tax preparation
- Shared client database
- Workflow and document modules
- Multi-state returns
5. ProConnect Tax
Best for small firms that want pay-per-return cloud software
Our rating4.3 / 5
Starting price$93.46 / individual return
Free planFree trial (no e-file)
ProConnect Tax is Intuit’s cloud tax software for small and growing firms. You pay per return, at $93.46 per individual return and $110.46 per business return at current discounted rates, and prepaying for volume lowers those costs. Every account also needs a User Access license at $210 per user. Annual packages start at $2,478 for one user and 50 individual returns. It connects to QuickBooks Online, which helps firms with bookkeeping clients. Costs climb quickly for practices with many business returns.
Pros
- Runs in a browser with nothing to install
- Pay only for the returns you file
- Connects with QuickBooks Online
Cons
- User Access license adds $210 per user
- Business returns cost extra on every package
- Per-return costs add up at volume
Key features
- Pay-per-return pricing
- Volume discounts
- QuickBooks Online connection
- Individual and business e-filing
6. ATX
Best for small offices that want a desktop package with published prices
Our rating4.1 / 5
Starting price$869 (pay-per-return)
Free planNo (demo only)
ATX is Wolters Kluwer’s desktop tax package for individual preparers and small firms. Its packages are published: ATX 1040 at $1,149, ATX MAX at $2,619, ATX Total Tax Office at $3,879, and ATX Advantage at $6,349. Low-volume preparers can buy the Pay-Per-Return System for $869, which includes six individual returns. There is no free trial, only a customized demo after you register. The forms-based entry suits experienced preparers more than staff who are new to tax work.
Pros
- Published package pricing
- Pay-per-return option for low volume
- Packages scale from 1040-only to full office
Cons
- No free trial
- Forms-based entry has a learning curve
Key features
- Forms-based data entry
- Individual and business returns
- Pay-Per-Return System
- Asset management on top package
Compare the top tax software for accountants
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drake Tax | Independent preparers and small to mid-size firms | $299.99 + per-return fees | Free trial | 4.7 |
| UltraTax CS | Large CPA firms with complex returns | Custom pricing | No | 4.6 |
| Lacerte | Firms with complex individual and business returns | $599 / year + per-return fees | Free trial | 4.5 |
| CCH Axcess Tax | Firms that want a cloud tax and workflow suite | Custom pricing | No | 4.4 |
| ProConnect Tax | Small firms that want pay-per-return cloud software | $93.46 / individual return | Free trial (no e-file) | 4.3 |
| ATX | Small offices that want a desktop package with published prices | $869 (pay-per-return) | No (demo only) | 4.1 |
How to choose tax software for your firm
Count your returns by type
Pull last season’s numbers by return type. Pay-per-return pricing from ProConnect Tax or Lacerte works well for a few dozen returns, while an unlimited package such as Drake Tax Pro usually wins once volume climbs. Business returns cost more per return on most pay-per-return plans, so price your actual mix of 1040s and business returns.
Decide between desktop and cloud
Drake Tax, UltraTax CS, Lacerte, and ATX are desktop programs, so remote staff need a hosted setup. ProConnect Tax and CCH Axcess Tax run in a browser. Add hosting fees to the desktop price before you compare totals.
Check the rest of your stack
UltraTax CS and CCH Axcess Tax pay off most when you also use their vendor’s practice management and document tools. If your firm already runs a separate practice management platform, a standalone tax program with clean exports may serve you better.
Frequently asked questions
What tax software do most CPA firms use?
Most CPA firms use one of a handful of professional programs: UltraTax CS, CCH Axcess Tax, Lacerte, ProConnect Tax, or Drake Tax. Larger firms lean toward UltraTax CS and CCH Axcess Tax for their suite integration, while small and mid-size practices often pick Drake Tax or an Intuit product for price and ease of use.
How much does professional tax software cost?
Professional tax software costs from a few hundred dollars a year for a pay-per-return license to several thousand for an unlimited package. Drake Tax Online starts at $299.99 on a pay-per-return model, Drake Tax Pro is $3,145 before December 1, and ProConnect Tax charges $93.46 per individual return plus a $210 user license. UltraTax CS and CCH Axcess Tax quote on request.
Is pay-per-return or unlimited pricing better?
Pay-per-return pricing is better when you file a small number of returns or are starting a practice. An unlimited package is better once per-return fees would add up to more than its flat price. Run the math with last season’s actual return count and your mix of individual and business returns.
Do you need cloud tax software to work remotely?
No. Desktop programs such as Drake Tax, UltraTax CS, and Lacerte can run on a hosted server so staff connect from anywhere, though hosting adds a monthly cost. Cloud programs such as ProConnect Tax and CCH Axcess Tax run in a browser with no hosting setup at all.
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