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Drake Tax's draw is predictable pricing: unlimited individual and business returns, all states and prior-year editions in one annual license, with tax year 2026 list prices of $3,295 for Drake Tax Pro (multi-user) and $2,445 for Drake Tax 1040 (multi-user), less if you buy before December 1. It is legitimate, long-established software for tax professionals from Drake Software of Franklin, North Carolina, in business since 1977 and now part of Taxwell, the parent company it shares with TaxAct. Smaller practices can start at $299.99 for cloud-based Drake Tax Online or $379.99 for pay-per-return. Individual filers should not buy it.
- Company
- Drake Software, LLC, a Taxwell company; 111 Technology Dr, Franklin, NC; business started 19772
- Parent
- Taxwell, the parent company name announced May 1, 2023 for Drake Software and TaxAct, which operate as separate brands3
- Drake Tax Pro (TY2026)
- Unlimited returns multi-user $3,295; unlimited single-user $2,845; 250 returns multi-user $2,495 (list prices effective December 1)1
- Drake Tax 1040 (TY2026)
- Unlimited individual returns multi-user $2,445; single-user $2,195; 150 returns multi-user $1,995; business returns $74.99 each1
- Pay-as-you-go options
- Pay-Per-Return $379.99 with 10 individual returns; Drake Tax Online $299.99 with first user included, then $49.99 per individual and $74.99 per business return, $99 per extra user1
- Included
- All states, federal and state e-file, 4,300+ federal and state forms, prior-year editions (2023 and 2024 included), data conversion from most competitor software1
- Refunds
- No refund if you activate, prepare or file any return; after release, desktop refunds are reduced by $200 ($50 for pay-per-return) and online refunds by 10%4
- Support
- Phone (828) 524-8020, email and chat; sales (800) 890-95002
- Company-reported rating
- NATP survey (company claim): First place; Drake says it was the only software to place first in both NATP product satisfaction categories, price (tie) and conversion results; we did not see the underlying survey2
Pros
- Unlimited returns and all states in one annual price
- Prior-year editions and data conversion included
- Low-cost entry options for small or new practices
- A+ BBB rating, accredited since 1997
- Published prices, unlike some competitors
Cons
- No refund once you prepare or file any return
- $200 deducted from desktop refunds after release
- Not for individuals filing their own taxes
- Reports of long support waits during tax season
- Add-ons like portals, e-sign and payments cost extra
Best for: Independent preparers and small firms that file a steady volume of individual and business returns and want one predictable annual price.
Skip it if: You are filing your own return, since Drake sells only to tax professionals and IRS Free File or consumer software costs far less.
Drake Tax vs. competitors
| Company | Entry option | Unlimited individual returns | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drake Tax | Drake Tax Online $299.99 plus $49.99 per return; Pay-Per-Return $379.99 with 10 returns | Drake Tax 1040 from $2,195 (single user, TY2026 list) | Taxwell |
| Intuit ProSeries | Pay-per-return from $539 a year; Basic 1040 from $729 for 20 returns (tax year 2025 pricing) | ProSeries Professional from $2,605 a year | Intuit |
| TaxAct Professional | Taxwell (same parent as Drake) |
Drake Tax pricing at a glance
Drake Tax packages for tax year 2026, as listed October 20261
| Package | Returns included | Users | List price (from December 1) | Early price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drake Tax Pro | Unlimited individual and business | Multi-user | $3,295 | $3,145 |
| Drake Tax Pro | Unlimited individual and business | Single user | $2,845 | $2,695 |
| Drake Tax Pro 250 | 250 individual and business; extra $49.99 individual, $74.99 business | Multi-user | $2,495 | $2,375 |
| Drake Tax 1040 | Unlimited individual; business $74.99 each | Multi-user | $2,445 | $2,325 |
| Drake Tax 1040 | Unlimited individual; business $74.99 each | Single user | $2,195 | $2,075 |
| Drake Tax 1040 150 | 150 individual; extra $49.99 individual, $74.99 business | Multi-user | $1,995 | $1,895 |
| Pay-Per-Return | 10 individual; extra $49.99 individual, $74.99 business | Multi-user | $379.99 | Not shown |
| Drake Tax Online | Pay per return: $49.99 individual, $74.99 business | First user included, $99 each extra | $299.99 | Not shown |
Drake's homepage advertised savings of up to $150 on Drake Tax through November 30. The Practice Essentials bundle (Drake Portals, Workflow and E-Sign) adds $599 or $849 at checkout. Bank products, Drake Pay, Drake Accounting and audit defense are sold separately.
Drake Tax, step by step
Get a PTIN and EFIN
Paid preparers need an IRS preparer tax identification number, and e-filing needs an IRS e-file application. Drake is software, not a substitute for those credentials.
Choose a package
Estimate your return count and mix of individual and business returns, then pick unlimited, a return bundle, pay-per-return or Drake Tax Online.
Install or sign in
Install Drake Tax Desktop on your office computer, or use Drake Tax Online in the browser. Convert prior-year data from your old software if needed.
Prepare and review returns
Enter data by form or interview, then use diagnostics and review tools before e-filing federal and state returns.
Renew or request a refund
Licenses are annual. If you change your mind, ask for a refund before preparing any return, by calling (828) 524-8020.
Drake Tax legitimacy and licensing
Yes. Drake Software has made professional tax software since 1977 and is based in Franklin, North Carolina. It is now a Taxwell company: in May 2023, Drake and TaxAct announced Taxwell as their shared parent, with both keeping their own brands. The BBB rates Drake A+ and has listed it as accredited since 1997, with 31 complaints in three years.
Drake sells to tax professionals. It is not consumer filing software, and buying it does not let you prepare returns for pay; you still need an IRS PTIN and, to e-file, an IRS e-file authorization.
Drake Tax pricing for tax year 2026
Drake publishes its prices. Drake Tax Pro with unlimited individual and business returns is $3,295 for multiple users or $2,845 for one user, and a 250-return version is $2,495. Drake Tax 1040, for individual-focused practices, is $2,445 multi-user or $2,195 single-user with unlimited individual returns, or $1,995 for 150 returns; business returns cost $74.99 each. These are list prices effective December 1; Drake showed lower early prices before then.
For low volume, Pay-Per-Return costs $379.99 with 10 individual returns, and Drake Tax Online is $299.99 for the first user, then $49.99 per individual return and $74.99 per business return. All packages include all states, federal and state e-file and prior-year editions for 2023 and 2024.
Drake refund policy
Drake’s refund policy (updated April 17, 2026) is strict. Before the software’s initial release, you can get a full refund if you certify that you uninstalled it and kept no copies. After release, you can get a refund only if you have not activated, prepared or filed any return, and you must ask in writing by December 31, 2026, or within three business days of payment after that. Desktop refunds are reduced by $200 ($50 for Pay-Per-Return), and online refunds by 10%.
There is no refund if you used the software to e-file any return, no refund for unused extra returns you bought, and no downgrades from unlimited to smaller packages. Subscription add-ons such as Portals, E-Sign and Workflow follow a separate subscription agreement. If you finance through Ratio, the down payment is non-refundable.
What customers say about Drake Tax
Recurring themes across the review sites and complaint records listed above, not individual quotes.
Common praise
- Reliable software with an interface preparers find easy once learned
- Knowledgeable support representatives
- Good long-term value compared with per-return pricing
- Unlimited returns and all states in one price
Common complaints
- Long phone waits and frustrating phone menus in tax season
- Large annual price increases
- Software glitches that need workarounds
- Some users say service declined after the company's merger into Taxwell
- Support staff struggling with complex situations
Drake Tax complaints
Trustpilot shows 3.6 out of 5 from 521 reviews, more mixed than its BBB rating. Praise centers on reliability and helpful support agents; complaints focus on long phone waits in tax season, annual price increases, glitches and some users’ view that service slipped after the Taxwell combination. Drake replies to most negative reviews. Before renewing, compare this year’s price with last year’s invoice, and test support response times during the off-season.
Who Drake Tax fits
Drake’s unlimited packages pay off for preparers with steady volume. For example, at $2,195 for unlimited individual returns on one seat, a preparer filing 200 returns pays about $11 per return in software cost, while Drake Tax Online at $49.99 per return would cost about $10,000 for the same 200 returns, plus the $299.99 base fee. Very low-volume or seasonal preparers may do better with Pay-Per-Return or Drake Tax Online.
Who should skip Drake Tax
Individuals filing their own taxes should not buy Drake. IRS Free File offers free guided software for an adjusted gross income of $89,000 or less, and consumer products cost a fraction of Drake’s price. Firms that rely on Intuit’s accounting ecosystem may prefer ProSeries, and anyone who wants to test software during a live season should know that preparing even one return ends the right to a refund.
Alternatives to Drake Tax
- Intuit ProSeries A common choice for firms that want Intuit's ecosystem; pay-per-return starts at $539 a year. Read review
- Drake Tax Online Drake's own browser-based option for low-volume or remote preparers, at $299.99 plus per-return fees.
- IRS Free File If you only need to file your own return, guided Free File software is free for an adjusted gross income of $89,000 or less.
Drake Tax reviews
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Frequently asked questions
Is Drake Tax trustworthy?
Yes. Drake Software has made professional tax software since 1977, is BBB accredited with an A+ rating, and is part of Taxwell, which also owns TaxAct.
How much does Drake Tax cost?
For tax year 2026, list prices run from $379.99 for Pay-Per-Return to $3,295 for unlimited multi-user Drake Tax Pro. Drake Tax Online starts at $299.99 plus per-return fees.
Can individuals use Drake Tax to file their own taxes?
Drake is built and sold for tax professionals. Individuals should use IRS Free File, free for an AGI of $89,000 or less, or consumer tax software.
Does Drake Tax include state returns?
Yes. All packages include all states and federal and state e-file.
Does Drake offer refunds?
Only if you have not activated, prepared or filed any return. After release, Drake deducts $200 from desktop refunds ($50 for Pay-Per-Return) and 10% from online refunds, and deadlines apply.
Who owns Drake Software?
Drake Software, LLC is a Taxwell company. Taxwell was announced in May 2023 as the parent company of Drake Software and TaxAct.
Is Drake Tax cloud-based?
Drake Tax Desktop is installed locally. Drake Tax Online is the cloud version, priced at $299.99 for the first user plus per-return fees.
What is the difference between Drake Tax Pro and Drake Tax 1040?
Pro includes individual and business returns such as 1120, 1120-S, 1065, 1041 and 990. Drake Tax 1040 covers individual returns and charges $74.99 per business return.
Can I switch to Drake from another tax program?
Drake says it converts data from most competitor software, and conversions are included.
How do I contact Drake support?
Call (828) 524-8020 or email [email protected]; sales is (800) 890-9500.
Sources (9)
Facts on this page come from company websites, government agencies and regulators, checked on the dates shown. Editorial standards
- Drake Software: Pricing (tax year 2026) (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Drake Software: Homepage (address, support, NATP claim) (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Drake Software: Taxwell selected as parent company name (May 1, 2023) (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Drake Software: Refund policy (last updated April 17, 2026) (accessed October 12, 2026)
- BBB: Drake Software (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Trustpilot: Drake Software reviews (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Intuit: ProSeries pricing (accessed October 12, 2026)
- IRS: Free File (accessed October 12, 2026)
- TaxAct: Professional tax software (Taxwell company) (accessed October 12, 2026)
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