Ranking · 4 tools
Tax software for a new preparer’s first season
Short answer
TaxAct Professional is the best tax software for new preparers: its free Evaluation Edition lets you practice before paying, and pay-per-return pricing keeps a slow first season cheap. TaxSlayer Pro ranks second for unlimited 1040s. Resolution software is not ranked here because new preparers without a CPA, EA, or law license cannot represent collection clients.
By the BestTaxSoftware.com editorial team. Updated . Prices checked on vendor sites that day.
How do the tools rank for this need?
- 1
TaxAct Professional
Best for low-volume and first-season preparers
80.0score of 100Professional prep with pay-per-return, low-volume bundles, and a free evaluation edition.
Where the 80.0 comes from of 100Price
Pay-per-return
Strongest point
Free evaluation edition
Main drawback
No transcript or resolution tools
- 2
TaxSlayer Pro
Best for refund-season 1040 shops using bank products
69.5score of 100Unlimited 1040 preparation with bank products and a client mobile app.
Where the 69.5 comes from of 100Price
Not shown
Strongest point
Unlimited 1040s in every package
Main drawback
No prices on the main page
- 3
Drake Tax
Best for full return coverage on one annual license
66.0score of 100Broad federal and state return coverage on an annual license with support included.
Where the 66.0 comes from of 100Price
From $2,375/yr
Strongest point
Broad individual and business return coverage
Main drawback
No monthly option
- 4
TaxDome
Best for client intake and portal for a solo shop
60.0score of 100Client intake, portal, e-sign, payments, and workflow, priced by active client.
Where the 60.0 comes from of 100Price
$1,500/yr minimum
Strongest point
Best-in-class client app and portal
Main drawback
$1,500 minimum regardless of client count
How are the weights adjusted on this page?
Learning curve is 30% and IRS record handling is zero because a first-season preparer needs to file correct returns before anything else.
| Criterion | This page | Default |
|---|---|---|
| Time to first case | 25% | 15% |
| Learning curve | 30% | 15% |
| Cost at one user | 25% | 20% |
| Revenue per case enabled | 10% | 20% |
| Automation depth | 5% | 10% |
| IRS record handling | 0% | 10% |
| Client experience | 5% | 10% |
Which features does each tool have?
| Prepares and e-files returns | Client-facing portal or app | Signatures inside the product | Price shown on vendor site | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TaxAct ProfessionalLow-volume and first-season preparers | 80.0 | Pay-per-return | Yes | Partly | Yes | No |
| TaxSlayer ProRefund-season 1040 shops using bank products | 69.5 | Not shown | Yes | Yes | Partly | No |
| Drake TaxFull return coverage on one annual license | 66.0 | $2,375 | Yes | Partly | Partly | Yes |
| TaxDomeClient intake and portal for a solo shop | 60.0 | $1,500 | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
What does each cost one practitioner per year?
Yearly cost at one user: new preparers
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 |
|---|---|---|
| TaxDome | $1,500 | Priced per active client; 150-client minimum; 20 seats included. |
| 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. |
| TaxAct Professional | Not published | Pay-per-return, 20- or 40-return bundles, and unlimited bundles; prices not shown on the page we reviewed. |
| TaxSlayer Pro | Not published | Web, Premium, and Classic packages; prices not shown on the page we reviewed. |
Not plotted because no yearly price was on the vendor page we reviewed: TaxAct Professional, TaxSlayer Pro.
What does a new preparer need before buying software?
- A PTIN from the IRS, renewed every year
- An EFIN, which requires an IRS e-file application
- Optional: an Annual Filing Season Program record of completion for limited representation rights
- A professional package that matches your return mix
When should a new preparer think about resolution?
After earning the enrolled agent credential. AFSP participants can represent only on returns they prepared, before certain IRS employees, and not in collection matters. The EA exam is the route from preparer to representative.
Questions practitioners ask
- What is the cheapest way to start preparing returns professionally?
- A free evaluation edition to practice, then pay-per-return until volume justifies a bundle. TaxAct Professional offers both.
- Does AFSP let me represent clients?
- Only in a limited way: on returns you prepared and signed, before revenue agents, customer service representatives, and the Taxpayer Advocate Service. Not in appeals or collections.