Tax season efficiency ahead? Even if you have a love/hate relationship with Intuit, you’re going to have a hard time not being intrigued by new software features dedicated to making tax season easier! With data entry always a pain point for preparers, Intuit’s new roll out of features is sure to please.
For starters, ProConnect Tax users will now have the luxurious benefit of pulling data directly from the IRS into ProConnect. If you’re a Canopy user, you remember how exciting this was when Canopy rolled out the ability to pull notices directly into their CRM. Similarly, ProConnect will include pre-done letter templates that be autofilled with data from the tax returns when needed. The updated dashboard also tracks client growth and form printing was just made easier with the ability to customize and rearrange forms to make them easier to review.
If you’re using Lacerte, updated features will include the ability to print returns directly to SafeSend without any more uploading and downloading between. Proseries users will enjoy enhanced features from Right Networks in the hosting environment also making it easier to move bulk data from end to end with automation for filing saving.
Intuit’s Tax Advisor software has also featured its own new releases. Tax Advisor is Intuit’s tax planning software, and unlike other pricey bundles, Tax Advisor charges by “credits” with one credit equating to an unlimited number of tax plans for one client. The software now boasts added strategies and new tax plan options to enhance the complexity of the tax planning options. Tax Advisor also includes state planning features now and customized planning can create what Intuit calls “client friendly” reports.
Regardless of whether you’re an Intuit fan, you can’t deny their corner on the market when it comes to producing quality software. Where others have been able to create pieces, between QuickBooks Online, the tax options, planning and fixed asset software, Intuit does offer end to end capability to automate data entry for tax preparers. If done well, technically a preparer can automate the tax return process right from the books all the way through digitally providing the client with a customized, easy to review copy as well as a plan for 2024.
The critical takeaway for preparers this filing season, is you can’t skip the technology upgrades. Preparers have become more and more bogged down in recent years and the industry burnout is causing a staffing crisis as the next generation shies away from tax. Automation is critical to sustainability, especially in smaller firms who have to do more with fewer resources.
