About
Drake Tax, developed by Drake Software, is one of the most trusted professional tax preparation platforms in the industry, with nearly five decades of continuous service since 1977. Designed specifically for tax professionals — from solo preparers to large multi-site firms — Drake Tax streamlines the entire tax workflow from document collection to e-filing. The platform delivers fast calculation results, hundreds of built-in accuracy checks, and customizable program options to match any practice's needs. Beyond core tax prep, Drake Tax integrates with a suite of productivity add-ons: Drake Portals enables secure client document exchange, Drake Workflow provides automated return tracking and status visibility, Drake E-Sign allows fully paperless digital signing, and Drake Pay facilitates ACH, credit, and debit payment collection directly within the ecosystem. The software supports all major federal and state income tax forms and is IRS-compliant, making it suitable for individual, business, and specialty returns. Drake Tax consistently earns top ratings from the CPA Practice Advisor, NATP Software Survey, and the Journal of Accountancy, reflecting its strong reputation for reliability and customer support. Simple, flat-rate pricing packages cater to practices of every size, with bundle options offering significant savings on the full add-on suite.
Key Features
- Comprehensive Tax Preparation: Supports all major federal and state income tax forms with fast calculation results and hundreds of built-in accuracy checks to ensure IRS-compliant returns.
- Workflow Automation: Drake Workflow provides automated return tracking, status updates, workflow visibility, and built-in urgency alerts across the entire Drake ecosystem.
- Secure Client Portals: Drake Portals enables secure, convenient file exchange between tax professionals and their clients for hassle-free document collection and delivery.
- Integrated E-Signatures: Drake E-Sign allows tax professionals and clients to sign documents digitally, going fully paperless and saving significant time.
- Integrated Payment Processing: Drake Pay lets tax offices collect ACH, credit card, and debit card payments directly within the platform, streamlining billing and collections.
Use Cases
- Solo tax preparers managing individual and business client returns efficiently within a single platform.
- CPA firms streamlining tax preparation workflows, reducing manual tracking, and improving turnaround times during tax season.
- Multi-site tax preparation businesses centralizing operations with consistent software, pricing, and support across all locations.
- Tax offices going paperless by adopting integrated e-signatures and secure client portals for document exchange.
- Tax professionals collecting client payments directly within their tax software using integrated ACH and card processing.
Pros
- Nearly 50 Years of Proven Reliability: Drake Software has been trusted by tax professionals since 1977, offering a mature, stable platform with a track record of consistent performance and compliance.
- Award-Winning Customer Support: Recognized by CPA Practice Advisor, NATP, and the Journal of Accountancy for top-rated customer service, ensuring tax pros get help when they need it most.
- All-in-One Ecosystem: From e-signatures to portals, workflow, and payments, Drake's tightly integrated add-on suite eliminates the need for multiple disconnected tools.
- Simple Flat-Rate Pricing: Transparent, flat-rate packages designed for practices of any size, with bundle discounts that make the full suite affordable.
Cons
- Not for Individual Filers: Drake Tax is designed exclusively for professional tax preparers and firms — it is not suitable for individuals preparing their own personal returns.
- Add-On Costs Can Add Up: While core tax software is flat-rate, productivity features like portals, workflow, and e-sign are sold separately or as bundles, increasing total cost.
- Learning Curve for New Users: The breadth of features and professional-grade options may require onboarding time via webinars or seminars for new staff or practices switching from other software.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Drake Tax?
Drake Tax is a professional tax preparation software platform designed for tax professionals, CPA firms, and multi-site tax businesses. It supports federal and state tax return preparation, e-filing, and integrates with add-ons for workflow, portals, e-signatures, and payments.
Who is Drake Tax designed for?
Drake Tax is built for professional tax preparers — from solo practitioners to large multi-site tax preparation businesses. It is not intended for individual consumers filing their own taxes.
Is there a free trial available?
Yes, Drake Tax offers a free trial so prospective customers can explore the software before purchasing. Demos are also available via live webinars and in-person seminars.
What add-ons are available with Drake Tax?
Drake Tax offers several add-ons including Drake Portals (secure client file sharing), Drake Workflow (automated return tracking), Drake E-Sign (digital signatures), Drake Pay (payment processing), and Drake Accounting. These can be purchased individually or bundled for savings.
How is Drake Tax priced?
Drake Tax uses simple, flat-rate pricing with packages designed for different practice sizes. Bundle options — such as the Practice Essentials Bundle — combine workflow, portals, and e-sign at a discounted rate, offering up to 40% savings.
