ProSeries

ProSeries. It is a professional tax preparation software suite developed by Intuit, primarily designed for certified public accountants, enrolled agents, and other tax professionals in the United States. The software facilitates the efficient preparation and electronic filing of complex federal and state income tax returns for individuals and businesses. Since its acquisition by Intuit in the early 1990s, it has become one of the leading professional tax software products in the competitive U.S. tax preparation market.

Overview

ProSeries serves as a comprehensive tool for tax professionals, enabling the preparation of a wide array of returns, including Form 1040, Form 1120, and Form 1065. It integrates deeply with other Intuit products like QuickBooks and Lacerte, allowing for streamlined data import and practice management. The software is updated annually to comply with the latest Internal Revenue Code changes and regulations issued by the Internal Revenue Service and various state revenue departments. Its user base primarily consists of accounting firms and independent practitioners who require robust, reliable software for handling high-volume tax seasons.

Features

Key features include a sophisticated Interview-style data entry system, extensive diagnostic checking to minimize errors, and seamless e-filing capabilities through the IRS Modernized e-File system. The software offers advanced tools for schedule management, Depreciation calculations using methods like Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System, and client organizer generation. ProSeries also provides integration with Intuit Accountants, a portal for client collaboration, and includes practice management resources such as Thomson Reuters Checkpoint research integration. Its bank products option allows professionals to offer refund-related financial products.

Editions and pricing

The software is offered in several distinct editions tailored to different practice needs. The primary bundles are ProSeries Basic, ProSeries Professional, and a specialized ProSeries Express for simpler returns. Pricing follows a modular, per-return model, with separate costs for federal returns and each state module, alongside a mandatory annual renewal fee for the software itself. Discounts are often available through the Intuit ProAdvisor program, and pricing is competitive with other major professional suites like Drake Software and CCH Axcess. The company frequently offers early renewal incentives and subscription-based payment plans for firms.

History

The software was originally developed by a company called Parsons Technology before being acquired by Intuit in 1994. This acquisition was part of Intuit's strategy to dominate the tax software landscape, following its earlier success with TurboTax for consumers. Under Intuit, ProSeries was significantly enhanced, with major milestones including the introduction of Windows compatibility in the late 1990s and the shift to a complete .NET framework. The product has consistently evolved, adding support for new forms like the Affordable Care Act forms and expanding its state coverage to all 50 states and Washington, D.C..

Reception and market position

ProSeries is generally well-regarded in the professional community for its accuracy, intuitive interface, and strong customer support from Intuit. It consistently receives high ratings in reviews from publications like Accounting Today and The CPA Journal. Within the market, it is considered a major competitor to Thomson Reuters UltraTax CS and Wolters Kluwer CCH ProSystem fx, often praised for its superior integration with the QuickBooks ecosystem. However, some practitioners critique its cost structure compared to value-oriented competitors like Drake Software. Its market position remains strong, particularly among small to mid-sized accounting firms that are already invested in the Intuit product family.

Category:Intuit Category:Tax preparation software Category:Software companies based in California