The Drake Tax Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about Drake Tax in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.
Drake Tax
The Insider’s Guide
Professional tax preparation software for tax firms, desktop and web
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among accounting and invoicing tools, read from Drake Tax’s own pages.
Made by Drake Software · checked Nov 12, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
- 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
- 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
- 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
- 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
- 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
- 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from Drake Tax’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on Drake Tax’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Nov 12, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
2.2
GPA, above 22 of the 65 other accounting and invoicing tools we grade
Drake Tax is tax preparation software sold to tax professionals, not to individuals filing their own return. It comes as a downloadable Windows program or as Drake Tax Online in the browser, and both prepare individual and business returns with federal and state e-filing. Practice tools such as client portals, workflow tracking, e-signatures and payments are sold separately.
To get you started, here are 9 things to know about Drake Tax, taken from its own pages and our grades.
Setting up a tax office, EFIN and client files takes real learning.
- 1
Best for a tax firm preparing client returns
Drake Tax is tax preparation software sold to tax professionals, in a Windows desktop edition and a cloud one.
- 2
Paid plans start at $25 a month when paid by the year
As its pricing page puts it: $299.99 per tax year, first user included (Drake Tax Online).
- 3
You can try it first
Free trial download of Drake Tax with sample clients and test returns; a free trial of Drake Tax Online is also offered.
- 4
It runs on 2 platforms
Web and Windows.
- 5
Individual and business returns
Covers 1040, 1040-NR, 1040-SS and 709 returns plus 1120, 1120-S, 1065, 1041, 990 and 706 returns, with more than 4,300 federal and state forms and schedules.
- 6
Federal and state e-file
The pricing page says all states are included and e-filing carries no extra fee.
- 7
Return review tools
Hundreds of return diagnostics, plus DoubleCheck review, LookBack comparison with the prior year and LinkBacks from a diagnostic to its source entry.
- 8
A 2.2 GPA, above 22 of 65
That is against the other accounting and invoicing tools we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 9
Keep it
Nothing Drake Tax does is plain enough to make in a weekend. The 3 things listed below take a company.
Drake Tax at a glance
- Pricing
- Free trial, from $299.99 per tax year, first user included (Drake Tax Online)
- Free plan
- No
- Free trial
- Free trial download of Drake Tax with sample clients and test returns; a free trial of Drake Tax Online is also offered.
- Runs on
- Web, Windows
- Made by
- Drake Software, since 1977
- Category
- Accounting & Invoicing
- Our grade
- 2.2 GPA, fair
The report card
Best for a tax firm preparing client returns
Drake Tax is tax preparation software sold to tax professionals, in a Windows desktop edition and a cloud one. Drake Tax Online starts at $299.99 a tax year, but you pay per return past the first batch, add-ons cost extra, and the Windows desktop editions run from about $1,895 to $3,295 a year.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | D | Drake Tax Online is $299.99 a tax year, about $25 a month, in line with accounting's middle. That price comes with $49.99 per individual return and $74.99 per business return after the first batch, and the desktop editions sit at $1,895 to $3,295. |
| Free plan and trial | C | A free trial download with sample clients and test returns, and a trial of the online version. The listing does not say a card is needed, but you cannot file real returns on it. |
| Features | B | Individual and business returns, with other products around them. Portals, Workflow, E-Sign and Drake Pay cost extra, which is a price matter, not a gap in the core job. |
| Ease of use | C | No store rating on record. Setting up a tax office, EFIN and client files takes real learning. |
| Platforms and integrations | B | Windows desktop program plus a web version, with 4 integrations on record. No Mac program; the vendor points Mac users to the online version or cloud hosting. |
An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.
Who Drake Tax is for
- Fits if you run a tax practice and prepare returns for clients
- Works for firms that want a Windows desktop program with an online option
Who it is not for
- Not for you if you are filing your own return, because it is sold to tax professionals
- Skip it if you use a Mac and want a native program, since the desktop edition is Windows only
- Pricey if you want the desktop suite, which runs about $1,895 to $3,295 a year
- Watch out: licences are per tax year, per site and per EFIN, and renewal prices show only inside your account
- Watch out: Portals, Workflow, E-Sign, Drake Pay, bank products and Audit Defense are all extra
Good to know
Good for
- Tax preparers and firms filing client returns
- Offices that want a locally installed program that works offline
- Part-time preparers with uneven volume, via pay-per-return pricing
Worth knowing
- Sold to tax professionals; it is not a product for filing your own return.
- The desktop program is a Windows application; for a Mac the vendor points to Drake Tax Online or cloud hosting.
- Licensing is per tax year, per physical site and per EFIN, and renewal pricing is shown only inside a customer's Drake account.
- Portals, Workflow, E-Sign, Drake Pay, bank products and Audit Defense cost extra; Rightworks cloud hosting is listed at $114 per user / month.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
$25
A month to start, paid by the year
Drake Tax is a paid product with a free trial, starting at $299.99 per tax year, first user included (Drake Tax Online).
A free trial download with sample clients and test returns, and a trial of the online version.
Drake Tax Online
$299.99
per tax year for the first user, then $99 per additional user
Browser-based. Returns are paid as you go at $49.99 per individual and $74.99 per business return, with discounts when bought in bulk (25 or more).
Pay-Per-Return
$379.99
per tax year, multi-user
Desktop software with 10 individual returns included; further individual returns cost $49.99 and business returns $74.99.
Drake Tax 1040 (150 returns)
$1,995
per tax year, multi-user, 150 individual returns included
For 1040-focused preparers. Business returns are $74.99 each and extra individual returns $49.99. Listed retail price effective Dec. 1; the page shows $1,895 until Nov. 30.
Drake Tax 1040 (unlimited)
$2,445
per tax year, multi-user, unlimited individual returns
Unlimited individual returns, with business returns at $74.99 each. A single-user version is listed at $2,195. Retail price effective Dec. 1; the page shows $2,325 until Nov. 30.
Drake Tax Pro (250 returns)
$2,495
per tax year, multi-user, 250 individual and business returns included
All return types. Extra individual returns are $49.99 and business returns $74.99. Retail price effective Dec. 1; the page shows $2,375 until Nov. 30.
Drake Tax Pro (unlimited)
$3,295
per tax year, multi-user, unlimited individual and business returns
For high-volume firms. A single-user version is listed at $2,845. Retail price effective Dec. 1; the page shows $3,145 until Nov. 30.
Trying it first
Free trial download of Drake Tax with sample clients and test returns; a free trial of Drake Tax Online is also offered.
Read from drakesoftware.com on Nov 12, 2026.
Ways to pay less
Other savings
Discounted prices through November 30
The pricing page shows reduced prices on Drake Tax Pro and 1040 packages (up to $150 off) through November 30, with the listed retail price taking effect December 1.
Stated on drakesoftware.comOther savings
Bundle and save 40%
The Practice Essentials Bundle (Drake Portals, Workflow and E-Sign) is priced from $599, listed as 40% off, for customers who buy Pro, 1040 or Drake Tax Online with 25 or more returns.
Stated on drakesoftware.com
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
2
Places it runs: Web and Windows
Professional tax preparation software for tax firms, desktop and web. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: works offline, file sharing.
Individual and business returns, with other products around them.
- Individual and business returns
- Covers 1040, 1040-NR, 1040-SS and 709 returns plus 1120, 1120-S, 1065, 1041, 990 and 706 returns, with more than 4,300 federal and state forms and schedules.
- Federal and state e-file
- The pricing page says all states are included and e-filing carries no extra fee.
- Return review tools
- Hundreds of return diagnostics, plus DoubleCheck review, LookBack comparison with the prior year and LinkBacks from a diagnostic to its source entry.
- Data conversion
- Drake converts prior-year client data from most competing programs, and the vendor says the conversion is free for most packages.
- Practice management add-ons
- Drake Portals, Drake Workflow, Drake E-Sign and Drake Pay are separate products, bundled at a discount as the Practice Essentials Bundle.
- Support included
- Every package includes US-based support by phone, email or chat, plus a knowledge base, video tutorials and practice returns.
Where it runs
- Web
- Windows
What it works with
- GruntWorx
- TheTaxBook WebLibrary Plus
- Rightworks
- Drake Accounting
Drake Tax is made by Drake Software, and has been around since 1977.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
22/65
Other accounting and invoicing tools it is graded above
Drake Tax's GPA of 2.2 is higher than 22 of the 65 other accounting and invoicing tools we grade, and level with 15.
It stands best on features (B, above 51 of 65) and worst on value for money (D, above 0).
Its paid plans start at $25 a month when paid by the year, against a middle price of $18.09 for the category: 33 of the 54 others that charge start lower.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 2.7 out of 4. 3 tools score higher and cost less.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 66 accounting and invoicing tools we grade, cut by the letter each got. Drake Tax’s own letter is outlined.
- DValue for moneyAbove 0 of 65
- CFree plan and trialAbove 15 of 65
- BFeaturesAbove 51 of 65
- CEase of useAbove 1 of 65
- BPlatforms and integrationsAbove 13 of 65
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 58 accounting and invoicing tools. Further left costs less; higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. Drake Tax is the marked dot.
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
Keep it, or make your own?
Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.
Keep it
Nothing Drake Tax does is plain enough to make in a weekend. The 3 things listed below take a company.
It costs $299.99 a year.
What you could not
- Storing and serving files for other people.
- A real app for Windows. Something home-made would be a web page.
- The depth: we grade its features B, which means it covers the whole job.
What this rests on. Drake Tax’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
TaxAct, TaxDome, Canopy, Karbon and Jetpack Workflow
The 5 tools Drake Tax is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 2.4GPA
TaxAct
Free plan · from $44.99/yr
Online and downloadable tax filing for individuals and businesses.
- TaxAct has a free plan. Drake Tax does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Drake Tax lists a Windows app.
- Drake Tax also covers file sharing.
TaxDome
Paid
Practice management and client portal for tax and accounting firms.
- Only Drake Tax lists a Windows app.
- Only TaxDome lists an iOS app.
- Drake Tax also covers file sharing.
- 1.6GPA
Canopy
From $74/mo
Practice management software for accounting and tax firms.
- Only Drake Tax lists a Windows app.
- Only Canopy lists iOS and Android apps.
- Drake Tax also covers file sharing.
- 1.6GPA
Karbon
From $59/mo
Practice management software for accounting firms.
- Only Drake Tax lists a Windows app.
- Only Karbon lists iOS and Android apps.
- Drake Tax also covers file sharing.
- 2.0GPA
Jetpack Workflow
Free trial · from $40/mo
Workflow and project management built for accounting firms.
- Only Drake Tax lists a Windows app.
- Drake Tax also covers file sharing.
- Jetpack Workflow also covers templates, tasks, workflow automation, time tracking and reports.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
14
Questions, each answered in a line or two
The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.
Is Drake Tax free?
No, Drake Tax is a paid product, but you can try it first. Free trial download of Drake Tax with sample clients and test returns; a free trial of Drake Tax Online is also offered.
How much does Drake Tax cost?
Drake Tax lists 6 plans. Drake Tax Online: $299.99 per tax year for the first user, then $99 per additional user.
What platforms does Drake Tax work on?
Drake Tax is available on Web and Windows.
Does Drake Tax offer any discounts?
Drake Tax publicly lists the following: Discounted prices through November 30; Bundle and save 40%.
Does Drake Tax have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 12, 2026. Drake Tax is listed for Web and Windows.
Does Drake Tax have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 12, 2026. Drake Tax is listed for Web and Windows.
Is Drake Tax open source?
Drake Tax is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Nov 12, 2026.
Does Drake Tax work offline?
Yes, according to its own site. What works without a connection differs by plan and platform, so check the vendor's page for the detail.
What does Drake Tax integrate with?
Drake Tax's listing names GruntWorx, TheTaxBook WebLibrary Plus, Rightworks and Drake Accounting.
Who makes Drake Tax?
Drake Tax is made by Drake Software. It dates from 1977.
What are the alternatives to Drake Tax?
The closest alternatives to Drake Tax in our directory are TaxAct, TaxDome, Canopy, Karbon and Jetpack Workflow.
How does Drake Tax compare with other accounting and invoicing tools?
Drake Tax's GPA of 2.2 is higher than 22 of the 65 other accounting and invoicing tools we grade, and level with 15.
Is Drake Tax good value for money?
ToolGPA grades Drake Tax D for value for money. Its paid plans start at $25 a month when paid by the year, against a middle price of $18.09 for the category: 33 of the 54 others that charge start lower.
Could I make my own version of Drake Tax?
Nothing Drake Tax does is plain enough to make in a weekend. The 3 things listed below take a company.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from Drake Tax’s own pages on Nov 12, 2026, and the grades were given on Nov 13, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Drake Tax's own pages on 12 November 2026. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews.
Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by Drake Software. Prices change, so check drakesoftware.com before you buy.
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
5,038
Tools graded, in 95 categories
ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.
Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.
5,038
tools graded
95
categories
739
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- Drake Tax, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/drake-tax
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
Scan for the live page
Prices and grades as they are today
Quoting this guide?
Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:
ToolGPA, "Drake Tax: The Insider's Guide", checked Nov 12, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/drake-tax
Know someone choosing between accounting and invoicing tools?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/drake-tax/guide
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See our other guides
The best-graded accounting and invoicing tools after Drake Tax, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- Accounting & Invoicing Insider's GuideEvery one of the 67 accounting and invoicing tools we grade, compared
- Zoho Invoice Insider's GuideFree invoicing app from Zoho for freelancers and small businesses3.6 GPA
- Zoho Books Insider's GuideOnline accounting from Zoho, with a free plan and six paid tiers3.4 GPA
- Odoo Insider's GuideBusiness app suite whose Accounting app is free when used on its own3.2 GPA
Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what Drake Tax’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Drake Tax is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by Drake Software. Prices and plans change: check drakesoftware.com before you buy.