Ranking · 6 tools
Tax software for enrolled agents working alone
Short answer
Brevitax Pro is the top tax software for an enrolled agent who wants to grow collection work: it turns transcripts into a case plan and keeps execution and evidence together at $79 a month. IRS Solutions and PitBullTax are strong second choices. For returns, TaxAct Professional or Drake Tax fill the prep side.
By the BestTaxSoftware.com editorial team. Updated . Prices checked on vendor sites that day.
How do the tools rank for this need?
- 1
Brevitax Pro
Best for adding IRS resolution to a solo practice
94.0score of 100An AI-driven resolution workflow that takes one practitioner from the IRS transcript to a documented result.
Where the 94.0 comes from of 100Price
$79/mo per seat
Strongest point
Per-seat price with unlimited cases, so a single seat does not get more expensive as caseload grows
Main drawback
Does not prepare or e-file returns; unfiled years still need a prep package
- 2
IRS Solutions
Best for solo resolution work driven by transcript alerts
82.0score of 100Established resolution software with automatic transcript downloads and change alerts.
Where the 82.0 comes from of 100Price
$189/mo solo
Strongest point
Published solo price, month-to-month or annual
Main drawback
About $1,890 a year at one user, roughly double Brevitax Pro
- 3
PitBullTax
Best for form-heavy collection work, including state POAs
74.0score of 100Practitioner-built resolution software centered on IRS forms, schedules, and transcript reports.
Where the 74.0 comes from of 100Price
Not published
Strongest point
Resolution evaluation for OIC, IA, and CNC candidates
Main drawback
No current public price to budget against
- 4
Canopy
Best for one login for admin work and occasional resolution
73.0score of 100Practice management with a paid Tax Resolution module for transcripts, notices, and forms.
Where the 73.0 comes from of 100Price
$124/mo with resolution
Strongest point
Polished client portal and mobile app
Main drawback
Resolution requires paying for a base plan plus the add-on
- 5
TaxAct Professional
Best for low-volume and first-season preparers
60.0score of 100Professional prep with pay-per-return, low-volume bundles, and a free evaluation edition.
Where the 60.0 comes from of 100Price
Pay-per-return
Strongest point
Free evaluation edition
Main drawback
No transcript or resolution tools
- 6
Drake Tax
Best for full return coverage on one annual license
58.0score of 100Broad federal and state return coverage on an annual license with support included.
Where the 58.0 comes from of 100Price
From $2,375/yr
Strongest point
Broad individual and business return coverage
Main drawback
No monthly option
How are the weights adjusted on this page?
Weighted toward revenue per case and IRS record handling because representation is what an EA credential is for.
| Criterion | This page | Default |
|---|---|---|
| Time to first case | 15% | 15% |
| Learning curve | 10% | 15% |
| Cost at one user | 15% | 20% |
| Revenue per case enabled | 25% | 20% |
| Automation depth | 10% | 10% |
| IRS record handling | 20% | 10% |
| Client experience | 5% | 10% |
Which features does each tool have?
| Prepares and e-files returns | Pulls IRS transcripts under your authorization | Points to a resolution path (IA, CNC, OIC) | Builds collection-case packages (433, 656, 9465) | Month-to-month option | Price shown on vendor site | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brevitax ProAdding IRS resolution to a solo practice | 94.0 | $948 | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| IRS SolutionsSolo resolution work driven by transcript alerts | 82.0 | $1,890 | No | Yes | Partly | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| PitBullTaxForm-heavy collection work, including state POAs | 74.0 | Not published | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Not confirmed | No |
| CanopyOne login for admin work and occasional resolution | 73.0 | $1,488 | No | Yes | Partly | Yes | Partly | Yes |
| TaxAct ProfessionalLow-volume and first-season preparers | 60.0 | Pay-per-return | Yes | No | No | No | Not confirmed | No |
| Drake TaxFull return coverage on one annual license | 58.0 | $2,375 | Yes | No | No | No | No | Yes |
What does each cost one practitioner per year?
Yearly cost at one user: enrolled agents
Lowest published yearly price for a single practitioner. Log scale. Table below lists the same figures.
Show chart data as a table
| Product | Yearly, one user | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Brevitax Pro | $948 | Unlimited cases. E-sign billed only when used. |
| Canopy | $1,488 | Standard $74 plus Tax Resolution $50 per user per month, billed annually. |
| IRS Solutions | $1,890 | Or $1,890 a year. No free trial; 60-day refund on a first annual plan. |
| Drake Tax | $2,375 | Drake Tax Pro list prices shown for tax year 2026 ran from $2,375 to $3,295 depending on returns and users. |
| PitBullTax | Not published | We could not find a current price on the vendor’s public pages at review time. |
| TaxAct Professional | Not published | Pay-per-return, 20- or 40-return bundles, and unlimited bundles; prices not shown on the page we reviewed. |
Not plotted because no yearly price was on the vendor page we reviewed: PitBullTax, TaxAct Professional.
What makes software EA-ready?
Enrolled agents have unlimited representation rights, so the software should support the whole collection case: authorization tracking, transcript analysis, financial statements, and the forms each program needs. Prep-only packages leave most of an EA’s billable range unused.
How should a new EA budget for software?
| Need | Option | Yearly cost |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | Brevitax Pro, one seat | $948 |
| Resolution (alternative) | IRS Solutions, solo annual | $1,890 |
| Return prep | Drake Tax Pro, lowest listed TY2026 price | $2,375 |
| Return prep (low volume) | TaxAct Professional pay-per-return | Per return; price not on main page |
Questions practitioners ask
- How many CE hours do enrolled agents need?
- The IRS requires 72 hours of continuing education every three years for enrolled agents.
- Can an EA represent in state tax matters?
- State rules vary. The EA credential is federal. Some states accept EAs for state representation; others do not. Check the state revenue department’s POA form.