Any suggestions for a replacement for ProSeries for 2019?

[nintindola]

Falling out of love with Intuit. More problems with ProSeries this year than ever before.  Would love to give them my feedback but setting on the phone waiting to talk to someone is not what I want to do.  Why not have an email to submit feedback?

[Just-Lisa-Now-]

I think all the tax software packages had some sort of issues this year with the new tax laws.  

I doubt you'll get many suggestions for other companies tax software asking in a ProSeries group.

[IRonMaN]

You were actually in love with Intuit at one point?   Maybe if they bought you flowers, that spark might reignite?

I think a lot of folks were frustrated this year and it wasn't just with Intuit products.  As Lisa noted, there were a lot of issues with a lot of software companies this year.  A lot of folks visit here and complain about ProSeries but once they start shopping for a software that works as well as ProSeries (when it is running on all 8 cylinders) they often find that it is tough to replace with a competitor once they compare the "how it works" to "how much it costs".  I didn't have any major issues this past year, but a I saw a fair number of folks that weren't as lucky as me.  So I'm staying, but I can understand how some folks want to look around a bit before they decide whether or not they want to come back.  

[Just-Lisa-Now-]

I hear they're sending out I Intuit T-shirts to those that stick around for 2019 taxes! :joy:

[abctax55]

I thought they were sending concession checks....I keep looking for *mine*, to no avail.  Yet.

[IRonMaN]

They are sending the checks, but they are starting with the Z's.  With a name like abc, you can expect yours sometime in 2021.

[abctax55]

OK - I'll stop going to the PO daily to see if mine is there.  

[IRonMaN]

Good idea :+1:

[abctax55]

I was *really* counting on it though to fund the massive fire works display I'm putting on this year.  Oh well.

[garman22]

Lots of sparklers with that concession check, eh? :fireworks:

[itonewbie]

Doctors will tell you not to stress yourself unnecessarily.  Go with the flow and you'd be happier... Hakuna Matata!

After all, the software is supposed to get things right, correct?  It's a matter of having faith in Intuit's professional tax products.  When clients receive a notice or a problem pops up, it's never too late to blame the software and ask to be compensated for the errors and omissions. It's not an uncommon practice - we've seen these more than a few times.  In the meantime, relax.    /s

[msmith7305]

How can ProSeries realistically claim to be a professional preparation program when it does not have Form 461 Limitation on Business Losses and Form 8990 Limitation on Business Interest Expense Under Section 163(j)? Am I the only professional here who needs to have those forms?

[Just-Lisa-Now-]

Ive never needed either of those forms, I guess it just depends on the type of clients you have.

[itonewbie]

@msmith7305 You're not the only one.  Not the mention new laws, even with old laws that have been in place for years, Intuit is still not getting those right and keep putting them off year after year even though I have given them all the details...

[TaxGuyBill · Accepted solution]

It all depends on what you are looking for, and how much you are willing to pay.

Here are a few top contenders:

UltraTax:  Generally considered better software, but definitely higher priced and is worksheet-based, so there will be a steep learning curve.  Made by a company focusing on tax preparers, rather than consumer do-it-yourself software.

Drake:  Superior customer support, lower cost and many people think it is the best thing ever.  However, it is less automated and definitely more 'clunky'.  It is mostly worksheet based (which means a steep learning curve).  Made by a company focusing on tax preparers, rather than consumer do-it-yourself software.

ATX:  Lower cost and similar entry as ProSeries.  Less automated and a bit more time consuming to enter data.  Made by a company focusing on tax preparers, rather than consumer do-it-yourself software.

TaxAct Professional:  Lower cost and VERY similar entry to ProSeries, so the learning curve will be fairly small.  However, less automated and made by a company focusing on do-it-yourself software.

There are others brands of software, but these are the one that most people consider.

Once you figure out which one(s) you may be interested in, download a free demo, and give it a GOOD chance while testing out the demo.  Try entering a variety of your current clients into the demo software to see how that software works.  Again, there will be a learning curve with any change of software, so give a good lengthy test before deciding.

As the others have said, there will be problems with any software, but I do agree with you, Intuit software seems to be consistently declining in quality every year, so testing out other software is a good idea.  After testing it, you may decide to change, or you may decide that ProSeries is still the best software for your situation, despite its declining quality.

[garman22]

nicely done, Bill. Intuit does seem to be leaning more and more towards consumers these past two years.:clap: