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Drake Tax

Drake Tax is professional tax preparation software for tax preparers and firms, sold per tax year as Windows desktop packages or as Drake Tax Online.

Our take: Drake Tax is built around predictable, published pricing: every package includes all states, e-file and support, and you size it by return volume.

Best forIndependent tax preparers
ReviewedPricing: Free Trial
6.8 out of 105 criteria · see breakdown
Try Drake$379.99/tax year desktop; $299.99 online + per-return

Drake Tax is professional tax preparation software for paid preparers and tax firms, with all states, federal and state e-file and support included in every package. For tax year 2026, regular prices run from $379.99 (Pay-Per-Return) to $3,295 (unlimited Drake Tax Pro), and Drake Tax Online starts at $299.99 plus per-return fees.

The bottom line

A practical choice for independent preparers and small firms; pick the package by return count.

Our score

Reviewed by the Conversion Gems editorial team. Hover a facet to focus it; click to pin.Tap a facet to focus it.

Community ratings

Shown for context only. Our score is independent.

Capterra
3.8 out of 5
110+ reviews

3.8 / 5 aggregate · across 1 source

Third-party ratings shown verbatim; aggregate weighted by review volume.

What it is, and why we rate it

One line each. Open a row for detail.

What it really isWindows desktop and cloud tax preparation software for paid preparers, priced per tax year.
Our takeDrake Tax is built around predictable, published pricing: every package includes all states, e-file and support, and you size it by return volume.
The math matters at the low end, where $49.99 and $74.99 per-return fees can push a Pay-Per-Return user past the cost of a 1040 package. The prices shown today are an early-purchase offer; budget on the regular price that applies from 1 December.
Why we rate itFull federal and state coverage with e-file and support included, at published prices.
The catchWindows-only desktop and per-return fees on the smaller packages.

Best / not good for

Best for
  • Independent tax preparers
  • Small and mid-size tax firms
  • Preparers with mixed individual and business returns
Not good for
  • Individuals filing their own taxes
  • Mac-only offices unwilling to use hosting or the online version
Trade-offs

Friction report

Trade-offs to know before signing up.

  1. Time to value
    Medium: install, set up the firm and learn the data entry before season.
  2. Scale breakpoint
    Tiered packages cap at 150 or 250 returns before extra fees.
  3. Walled garden
    Medium: Drake offers conversions in from competitors; leaving means converting data to a new package.
Still a fit?
If none of these block you, try it on the official site.
Try Drake

Drake Tax packages and pricing, tax year 2026

PackageReturns includedUsersRegular priceEarly-purchase offer (before 1 Dec)
Drake Tax ProUnlimited individual and businessMulti-user$3,295$3,145
Drake Tax ProUnlimited individual and businessSingle user$2,845$2,695
Drake Tax Pro 250250 individual and businessMulti-user$2,495$2,375
Drake Tax 1040Unlimited individualMulti-user$2,445$2,325
Drake Tax 1040Unlimited individualSingle user$2,195$2,075
Drake Tax 1040 150150 individualMulti-user$1,995$1,895
Pay-Per-Return10 individualMulti-user$379.99No offer shown
Drake Tax OnlinePay per returnFirst user$299.99No offer shown

From Drake Software's pricing page, checked 4 October 2026. Regular prices are the retail prices the page says take effect 1 December. Extra returns: $49.99 individual, $74.99 business. Drake Tax Online: $99 per additional user. Practice Essentials Bundle (Portals, Workflow, E-Sign) is listed at $599 instead of $1,000, or $849 instead of $1,425 for the Plus bundle.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Drake Tax cost?

For tax year 2026, regular prices run from $379.99 for Pay-Per-Return (10 returns) to $3,295 for unlimited multi-user Drake Tax Pro. Drake Tax Online starts at $299.99 plus per-return fees. Until 1 December an early-purchase offer lowers most desktop packages by $100 to $150 (checked 4 October 2026).

Does Drake Tax charge per return?

On some packages. Pay-Per-Return and Drake Tax Online charge $49.99 per individual and $74.99 per business return beyond what is included; the 1040 packages charge $74.99 per business return. Unlimited Pro includes all returns (checked 4 October 2026).

Is Drake Tax legit?

Yes. Drake Tax is professional tax software from Drake Software, which says it has served tax professionals since 1977 and is used by more than 70,000 preparers. It is for paid preparers, not individuals filing their own returns.

Is there a free trial of Drake Tax?

Yes. Drake Software offers a free trial and a demo of Drake Tax; you register on its website to download the trial.

Does Drake Tax work on a Mac?

The desktop software is Windows-based. Mac users can use Drake Tax Online or a hosted version through Rightworks, which costs $114 per user a month.

How do I log in to Drake Tax?

Conversion Gems is a review site, not Drake Software. The Sign In link on drakesoftware.com goes to https://user.drakesoftware.com/. Desktop Drake Tax runs from the program installed on your PC.

Drake Tax alternatives

Other tax and accounting practice tools in our directory:

Showing 1–3 of 3
Sources checked October 4, 2026: Drake Software pricing, Drake Tax product page, Drake Software home page.

Conversion Gems independently reviews every tool.

Tags

#TaxSoftware#TaxPros#EFile

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