Your tax preparation software may be the single most important tool you have for your tax preparation business. Switching software takes time, energy, and money, so you’ll want to make sure you’ve found the right software before switching
How much will the tax prep software cost?
First, you want to find the best software that fits your financial needs but learning the actual price of a software can be more difficult than it seems.
The pricing for most tax preparation software is on the company’s website. However, these numbers might not include fees or other expenses. Some software will charge additional fees for filing a large number of returns, so be sure to read the fine print and ask about what additional fees you may incur while using the software. A software advertising “unlimited filing” won’t charge you extra for filing returns.
Be wary of prices falling several hundreds of dollars below their competitors’ prices, as this may mean the software’s function is limited. If a software doesn’t support the forms and features you need to serve your clients, you aren’t really saving any money.
The importance of user-friendly tax software
User experience is arguably even more important than price. Even big savings can’t make up for slow, glitchy software. A long history of positive customer testimonials in the industry is one way to gauge the quality of software. If customers consistently praise the software as “easy” and “user-friendly,” you can be reasonably sure that it is intuitive and efficient.
Nothing can help you judge a software’s user experience better than trying it out yourself. If a software offers a demo or free trial, take advantage of the opportunity to test its user interface.
Which tax forms are supported?
Make sure that your new software supports all the forms you need to file your clients’ tax returns. Tax preparation companies often offer tiered products. The more basic options may not have what you need, especially if you serve business clients, so make sure to do your research.
Ease of data conversion when switching tax software
Data conversion is usually the most time-consuming step when switching tax preparation software. Tax professionals worry that they’ll lose clients’ data or that it will end up misformatted and challenging to navigate.
If you’re worried about the data conversion process, speak to a customer representative to ask how their company supports data integration. Asking specific questions like these can help you determine how easy, or difficult data integration will be:
- How will I be directed through the data conversion process?
- How long does data conversion usually take?
- How can I back up my data before the conversion process begins?
- What problems do other customers usually encounter when integrating their data?
- What role does customer service play in helping me convert my data?
Cloud-based vs. desktop tax software
The choice between cloud-based vs. desktop software is often a matter of preference. Cloud-based software allows you to work anywhere with internet access on any device. Desktop-based software can be integrated into your office’s network server and sometimes supports more forms than cloud-based software. Make sure you consider your business needs seriously, as this step is vital in choosing the appropriate tax software for business success.
How tax software can provide convenience for your clients
While your clients won’t be using your tax preparation software themselves, they’ll still be affected by the software you choose. Some software allows clients to easily upload their documents using only their phones. The TaxesToGo® mobile app, for example, lets customers snap pictures of their forms and securely send them to you in just a few minutes.
If working remotely with clients is important to your business, consider investing in software with features like this app. Otherwise, your clients will still need to meet you in person, fax, scan, or mail their documents.
How accessible is customer service for tax preparers?
Knowledgeable customer service representatives can make your switch significantly easier by guiding you through data conversion or helping you through the learning curve.
It’s essential to assess the accessibility of customer support along with the variety of support channels offered, such as phone, email, and live chat. The option for 24/7 support is precious, especially during busy seasons, for those working unconventional hours, or when you have last-minute questions. For example, prompt and efficient customer service can be the difference between timely submissions and unnecessary delays during the peak of tax season.
In addition to direct customer service during tax season, it’s important to look for the availability and quality of learning resources like new user webinars, annual seminars, training videos, informative blog articles, and other exclusive resources. These resources can significantly smooth the transition for new users and reduce the need for direct support.
Anyone can advertise superior customer service but take the time to test it yourself. A software demo or free trial offers a great opportunity to interact with a company’s customer support.
Does the company have a customer growth team?
Not to be confused with customer service, a customer growth team is a unique department that doesn’t exist at every tax prep software company. Whereas customer service helps you understand and troubleshoot the technicalities of your software, customer growth is dedicated to helping you understand how to use your software to grow your business. Customer growth can guide you through offering bank products or using free marketing features that may have been included with your software package.
Switching tax software doesn’t have to be a guessing game. TaxSlayer Pro’s team would love to help you understand our software’s features and determine if it’s the best fit for your business.
Interested in TaxSlayer Pro? Compare our products and choose the best package for your business!
