Drake Tax review

Drake Tax ranks first because it pairs wide return coverage with prices that sit well below the large firm suites. Every package includes all states, federal and state e-file and a library of more than 4,300 forms, and Drake Tax Pro adds unlimited individual and business returns for a single price. Smaller offices can start lower: Drake Tax 1040 covers individual returns with business returns added at $74.99 each, the desktop Pay-Per-Return package includes 10 individual returns for $379.99, and Drake Tax Online starts at $299.99 with returns bought as you go. Review tools are practical, with hundreds of diagnostics, DoubleCheck, LookBack and LinkBacks that jump from a diagnostic to its source. The software also includes a client status manager, scheduler, organizers and client billing. The gaps are client-facing tools, since portals, workflow and e-signatures come in a paid bundle, and the per-return fees on the smaller tiers can climb quickly in a busy season.

Who it is for

Independent preparers and small to midsize firms that want every state and broad return coverage at a lower price than the big suites.

Price

Drake Tax Online from $299.99 per tax year with the first user, plus $49.99 per individual return; desktop Pay-Per-Return from $379.99 with 10 individual returns; Drake Tax Pro unlimited from $2,375.

$299.99 / Tax year 2026
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 10, 2026.

Key features

• 4,300+ federal and state forms and schedules with all states included
• Federal and state e-file, with prior year editions included
• Hundreds of return diagnostics, DoubleCheck review and LookBack prior-year comparison
• Tax Planner, filing status optimization and fixed asset reports
• Client Status Manager, scheduler, pre-season letters and organizers

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Unlimited individual and business returns on Drake Tax Pro, with tiered and per-return options below it
• Strength: All states included in every package
• Strength: Data conversion from most competitor software
• Weakness: Portals, workflow and e-signatures are sold as a separate bundle
• Weakness: Drake Tax Online needs a Windows desktop module for its import features
• Weakness: Per-return fees of $49.99 individual and $74.99 business add up on the lower tiers

Key facts

• Packages: Drake Tax Pro, Drake Tax 1040, Pay-Per-Return, Drake Tax Online
• Forms: 4,300+ federal and state forms and schedules
• Extra returns: $49.99 individual, $74.99 business
• Add-on bundle: Practice Essentials: Drake Portals, Drake Workflow and Drake E-Sign

Where it ranks

Drake Tax is No. 1 in our Best Tax Software for Accountants verdict.