CrossLink vs Instead

CrossLink is professional tax software for preparers, from individual practices to multi-office firms. CrossLink 1040 is designed for individual returns, while CrossLink Business supports corporate and business returns and requires an active CrossLink 1040 license. The product lists federal and state e-file, unlimited federal and state returns, 4,300 federal and state forms and schedules, and hundreds of return verifications. Agent Intelligence can extract information from uploaded IDs and specified tax forms into returns, and provides guidance for forms being prepared in over 12 languages. TaxPass supports client document sharing through a mobile experience, and Remote Signature enables remote signing. TextLink Plus supports unlimited texts linked to each client's return. Integrations include Zapier, PayJunction, bank products, TheTaxBook WebLibrary, and accounting or bookkeeping tools. CrossLink lists technical support and personalized onboarding; support is available in English and Spanish, but does not provide legal or tax advice. CrossLink 1040 costs what you agree with the maker, and CrossLink Business costs what you agree with the maker. A free trial is available.

Instead is a web-based AI agent for tax research, planning, preparation, filing, and defense. It lists support for individual 1040, C corporation 1120, S corporation 1120-S, partnership 1065, and trust and estate 1041 returns. Users choose which workflows to run, and credits are consumed only when they start a task; the credit estimate is shown beforehand. Users can review the agent’s work before filing. Google Drive, OneDrive, and Box are live integrations with two-way sync, version tracking, and automatic folder mapping. Instead says it is IRS-approved and supports e-filing in 48 or more state jurisdictions, as well as local filing. Federal and state e-file and prior-year import are listed. The free Instead Platform plan is free and includes unlimited users, entities, e-file and print file, multi-entity support, and collaborators and viewers. Instead Agent is billed per credit, with pricing dependent on volume and usage; purchased credits are valid for 12 months. The service lists a free trial, US-based customer support, and 24/7 support, with email responses within 24 business hours.