CrossLink vs TurboTax

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.

TurboTax is tax preparation software available online, on mobile, and as desktop software. It supports returns involving self-employment, investment income, and rental income, with state filing available as a paid add-on. Users can import, upload, or photograph documents, including information from participating employers and financial institutions; the maker says auto-imports are available from more than one million such organizations. Customers can receive unlimited expert advice or have an expert prepare a return from start to finish. Free filing is limited to simple Form 1040 returns, and the listed estimate is that about 37% of taxpayers qualify. The free tier excludes itemized deductions, business income, stock sales, rental income, and other schedules. Deluxe searches more than 350 deductions and credits, while Premium lists more than 450. Do It Yourself Deluxe is listed at $79, paid once for federal filing, with state additional. TurboTax says its accuracy guarantee covers IRS or state penalties and interest caused by a calculation error, subject to terms.