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SPECIFICTION
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Drake Tax

drakesoftware.com

From $25/mo Free trial WebWindowsmacOS
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Spec score 8.4 #5 of 30 in Small Business Tax Software

What it is

Drake Tax is professional tax preparation software for preparers handling federal and state income tax returns. All states are included without additional state modules. Drake says the software runs hundreds of return diagnostics and validation rules. It can import electronic tax forms, bring in prior-year data with LookBack, trace calculations with LinkBacks, and compare scenarios in Drake Tax Planner. E-filing has no additional fees. Drake Tax Desktop is natively Windows-based, while Drake Tax Online allows users to prepare, review, and e-file returns in a browser without local installation; Drake identifies cloud hosting and Drake Tax Online as options for Mac users. A free trial download includes sample clients and practice returns for 1040 and business forms, with no trial duration stated. Packages include unlimited U.S.-based support by phone, email, or live chat, plus training resources. Listed plans include Drake Tax Online at $299.99 a year and Pay-Per-Return at $379.99 a year, both for tax year 2026. Other listed annual plans range from 1895.00 USD to 3145.00 USD for tax year 2026.

Spec sheet

Purpose
Drake Tax is professional tax preparation software designed to streamline tax preparers’ workflows.Read 4 Oct 2026 · drakesoftware.com
Audience
Drake describes Drake Tax Pro as best for complex, high-volume firms and Drake Tax 1040 as ideal for 1040-focused preparers.Read 4 Oct 2026 · drakesoftware.com
Trial
Drake offers a free trial download with sample clients and practice returns for 1040 and business forms; the page does not state a trial duration.Read 4 Oct 2026 · drakesoftware.com
Integrations
Listed integrations and add-ons include Drake Accounting and Payroll, Drake Workflow, Drake Portals, Drake E-Sign, Drake Pay, bank products, TheTaxBook WebLibrary Plus, and GruntWorx; additional fees may apply.Read 4 Oct 2026 · drakesoftware.com
Security
The pricing page lists multi-factor authentication, role-based access control, automatic session timeout, file backup, and encryption in transit and at rest among its security and backup features.Read 4 Oct 2026 · drakesoftware.com
Support
Drake says all packages include free, unlimited U.S.-based support by phone, email, or live chat, plus training resources.Read 4 Oct 2026 · drakesoftware.com
Headquarters
Franklin, North Carolina, United StatesRead 28 Sep 2026 · drakesoftware.com
Founded
1977Read 28 Sep 2026 · drakesoftware.com
Accuracy tools
Drake says it runs hundreds of return diagnostics and validation rules to help ensure accuracy.Read 4 Oct 2026 · drakesoftware.com
Cloud security
Drake Tax Online states that it uses 128-bit encryption in transit and at rest, MFA, U.S.-based SOC 2-compliant servers, role-based access controls, strong password policies, and automatic session timeouts.Read 4 Oct 2026 · drakesoftware.com
Coverage
The software supports federal and state income tax preparation, and all states are included without additional state modules.Read 4 Oct 2026 · drakesoftware.com
Data and planning
Features include importing electronic tax forms, accessing prior-year data with LookBack, tracing calculations with LinkBacks, and comparing scenarios with Drake Tax Planner.Read 4 Oct 2026 · drakesoftware.com
Desktop platform
Drake Tax Desktop is natively a Windows-based application; Drake identifies cloud hosting and Drake Tax Online as options for Mac users.Read 4 Oct 2026 · drakesoftware.com
Notable limit
Drake Tax Online’s 2025 desktop data-entry mode for certain return types requires a Windows-based PC, and the included desktop software cannot independently prepare or file returns.Read 4 Oct 2026 · drakesoftware.com
Online version
Drake Tax Online lets users access returns through a browser without local installation and prepare, review, and e-file returns online.Read 4 Oct 2026 · drakesoftware.com
Returns and fees
There are no additional e-filing fees, and Drake Tax Pro 250 and Drake Tax 1040 150 users can purchase additional returns individually.Read 4 Oct 2026 · drakesoftware.com

Plans and prices

Drake Tax Online $299.99 a year Tax year 2026 First user included · additional users $99 each · individual returns $49.99 each · business returns $74.99 each Read 4 Oct 2026 · drakesoftware.com
Pay-Per-Return $379.99 a year Tax year 2026 10 individual returns included · additional individual returns $49.99 each · business returns $74.99 each · multi-user Read 4 Oct 2026 · drakesoftware.com
Drake Tax 1040 Unlimited — Single User $1,895 a year Tax year 2026 Unlimited individual returns · business returns $74.99 each Read 4 Oct 2026 · drakesoftware.com
Drake Tax 1040 150 — Single User $2,075 a year Tax year 2026 150 individual returns · additional individual returns $49.99 each · business returns $74.99 each Read 4 Oct 2026 · drakesoftware.com
Drake Tax Pro 250 — Single User $2,375 a year Tax year 2026 250 total individual and business returns · additional returns: $49.99 individual, $74.99 business Read 4 Oct 2026 · drakesoftware.com
Drake Tax Pro Unlimited — Single User $3,145 a year Tax year 2026 Unlimited individual and business returns · single user Read 4 Oct 2026 · drakesoftware.com

Every Drake Tax plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • All states are included without extra state modules
  • Hundreds of diagnostics and validation rules
  • No additional e-filing fees
  • Free trial includes sample clients and practice returns

Limits

  • Desktop application is natively Windows-based
  • Some 2025 online data-entry modes require a Windows PC
  • Additional fees may apply to integrations and add-ons

Who it suits

Drake Tax suits professional preparers who handle federal and state returns. Drake describes Drake Tax Pro as suited to complex, high-volume firms and Drake Tax 1040 to 1040-focused preparers.

Verdict

Drake Tax offers desktop and browser-based preparation options, return diagnostics, and included federal and state coverage. Compare return allowances, user counts, and additional-return fees across plans before choosing.

Where Specifiction places it

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