Can you recommend accountant tax software for a tax practice that handles both business and individual returns?

Yes — if your tax practice prepares both business and individual returns, you’ll usually want professional tax preparation software rather than consumer software. The best choice depends on your firm size, budget, state filing needs, payroll/bookkeeping integration, and how many returns you expect to handle.

Top accountant tax software options

1. Intuit ProConnect Tax

Best for: Small to mid-sized firms already using QuickBooks
Strengths:

• Strong individual and business return support
• Good workflow with QuickBooks data
• Cloud-based, easy remote access
• Useful e-filing and diagnostics

Watch for: Can get expensive as volume grows.

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2. Drake Tax

Best for: Cost-conscious firms wanting strong value
Strengths:

• Covers both individual and business returns
• Generally one of the best values in professional tax software
• Good for high-volume practices
• Includes useful workflows and forms support

Watch for: Interface is functional but less polished than premium options.

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3. Lacerte Tax

Best for: Firms with more complex returns and higher-end needs
Strengths:

• Excellent support for complex individual and business filings
• Strong diagnostics and planning tools
• Good for firms that need depth and accuracy

Watch for: Higher cost; may be more than smaller firms need.

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4. CCH Axcess Tax

Best for: Growing firms wanting an integrated cloud suite
Strengths:

• Cloud-based ecosystem
• Strong document management and workflow tools
• Good for firms that want broader practice management integration
• Handles individual and business returns well

Watch for: Pricing and onboarding can be substantial.

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5. UltraTax CS

Best for: Established firms that want a robust desktop/cloud hybrid ecosystem
Strengths:

• Very capable for both business and individual returns
• Integrates with other Thomson Reuters CS tools
• Strong for multi-user tax practices

Watch for: Cost and implementation complexity.

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Quick recommendation by firm type

• Best budget-friendly choice: Drake Tax
• Best for QuickBooks-based firms: ProConnect Tax
• Best for complex returns: Lacerte or UltraTax CS
• Best cloud workflow suite: CCH Axcess Tax

What to look for

When comparing, check for:

• Support for 1040, 1120, 1120S, 1065, 1041, 990
• State return coverage
• E-file support and diagnostics
• Multi-user access and permissions
• Document storage and client organizer tools
• Integration with bookkeeping/accounting software
• Pricing model: per return, per user, or subscription

My practical suggestion

If you’re a small or mid-sized tax practice handling both business and individual returns, the most common short list is:

1. Drake Tax for value
2. ProConnect Tax if you use QuickBooks heavily
3. Lacerte if you handle more complex clients

If you want, I can also give you:

• a side-by-side comparison table
• recommendations based on firm size
• options with best pricing
• or a list of software that includes bookkeeping + tax + client portal in one package