About
Intuit ProSeries Tax is a comprehensive professional tax preparation solution developed by Intuit for tax professionals and accounting firms. Designed with usability in mind, it features intuitive forms-based screens and one-click access to calculation details, making it easier to prepare accurate returns efficiently. ProSeries supports multiple deployment options — desktop installation, cloud hosting, or a fully hosted environment — so firms can choose the setup that best fits their infrastructure and workflow preferences. The software integrates with a suite of workflow add-ons including Hosting for ProSeries, Protection Plus (audit defense and identity theft protection), Pay-by-Refund (refund transfers for client payment flexibility), and Intuit Select Pro Staffing. ProSeries is well-suited for solo practitioners and small-to-mid-sized firms looking for a streamlined tax workflow that speeds up return preparation and simplifies firm management. Its tight integration with the broader Intuit Accountants ecosystem — including QuickBooks Online Accountant, Lacerte, and ProConnect — makes it a natural fit for firms already using Intuit products. With training resources, a dedicated support community, and CPE/CE opportunities through events like the Elevate Virtual Conference, ProSeries supports continuous professional development alongside its core tax preparation capabilities.
Key Features
- Forms-Based Interface: Intuitive forms-based screens make it easy to navigate tax returns, with one-click access to underlying calculation details for fast verification and review.
- Flexible Deployment Options: Choose from desktop installation, cloud hosting, or a fully hosted environment to match your firm's IT preferences and remote work requirements.
- Workflow Add-Ons: Extend ProSeries with integrations like Protection Plus (audit defense), Pay-by-Refund (refund transfers), and Intuit Select Pro Staffing to streamline end-to-end workflows.
- Intuit Ecosystem Integration: Seamlessly connects with QuickBooks Online Accountant, Lacerte, and ProConnect for a unified accounting and tax preparation experience across the Intuit platform.
- Dedicated Training & Support: Access the Intuit ProConnect community, Tax Pro Center articles, monthly newsletters, and live CPE/CE-eligible events like the Elevate Virtual Conference.
Use Cases
- Small and mid-sized accounting firms preparing individual and business tax returns efficiently using forms-based screens.
- Solo tax practitioners managing the full tax preparation workflow from client intake to filing with minimal IT overhead.
- Firms transitioning to cloud-based or hosted tax software while retaining familiarity with a desktop-style interface.
- Tax professionals seeking integrated audit defense and client payment flexibility through workflow add-ons like Protection Plus and Pay-by-Refund.
- Intuit QuickBooks users wanting a tightly integrated tax preparation solution within the broader Intuit Accountants ecosystem.
Pros
- User-Friendly Design: Forms-based screens and one-click calculation access reduce the learning curve and help preparers work faster compared to more complex tools.
- Deployment Flexibility: Supports desktop, hosted, and cloud-based setups, giving firms the freedom to choose the infrastructure that suits their size and workflow.
- Rich Ecosystem of Add-Ons: Optional integrations like audit defense, refund transfers, and staffing solutions allow firms to expand capabilities without switching platforms.
Cons
- Paid-Only Pricing: ProSeries is a premium professional product with no free tier, which may be a barrier for very small or solo practitioners on a tight budget.
- Best for Smaller Firms: For high-volume or highly complex return scenarios, Intuit recommends Lacerte, meaning ProSeries may not scale to the largest enterprise tax operations.
- Windows-Centric Desktop Version: The native desktop client is primarily Windows-based, limiting options for Mac-first firms unless they opt for the hosted or web-based deployment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Intuit ProSeries Tax?
Intuit ProSeries Tax is a professional tax preparation software designed for tax and accounting firms. It offers simple forms-based screens, one-click calculation details, and flexible cloud, hosted, or desktop deployment options.
How does ProSeries differ from Lacerte and ProConnect?
ProSeries is designed for solo and small-to-mid-sized firms seeking a straightforward tax workflow. Lacerte targets high-volume, complex firms with more advanced tools, while ProConnect is a fully cloud-native solution requiring no downloads.
Can ProSeries be used in the cloud?
Yes. ProSeries supports cloud hosting through Intuit's Hosting for ProSeries add-on, which provides built-in security, automatic backups, and reduced IT overhead. A fully web-based version is also available.
What workflow add-ons are available for ProSeries?
ProSeries offers optional add-ons including Protection Plus (audit defense and identity theft protection with $1M Tax Audit Defense™), Pay-by-Refund (refund transfer payment options), and Intuit Select Pro Staffing for capacity building.
Is ProSeries suitable for a solo tax practitioner?
Yes. ProSeries is particularly well-suited for solo and small firms. Its streamlined interface and focused feature set are designed to speed up return preparation and simplify day-to-day firm management without unnecessary complexity.
