cheering

ATX was ok on the pay-per-return basis, just expensive. it was overpriced, because you have to pay for the program PLUS $25 for each return.

there are some returns that ATX does that Drake doesn't do, like 2290's, 5500's and 5500-EZ also, i used to be able to process 941's and 940's on ATX. [i did use the drake client write-up a few times for 941's, and it wasn't totally bad, but, not near as good as doing them on ATX]. so, i used the 2013 ATX on a pay-per-return basis for a few of these returns, ummm, and i am not happy about this issue. how do other drake users do these other returns that they used to do on ATX ? any and all help, truly appreciated !!

pretty soon, yall are gonna change this thread to talking about how you use your abacus... the bottom line is the following: 1. we don't want to buy new hardware every 2 years. 2. this is tax prep, not rocket science. 3. businesses need to learn to serve their customers, not the other way around. i opened a tax return on ATX - 1.4 Gigs RAM in use same return on drake 14 megs RAM in use 100 times the resources!!! no wonder ATX takes 50-100 times longer... rediculous...

i went to the seminar 2wks ago, and this is mainly for new users. [which includes me]. it is basic, [with sales pitches], but you will learn some things that you wouldn't learn otherwise. [see jklcpa's list on page 1 of this thread for some examples] you will also learn that ATX users were spoiled with the simple wysiwyg interface, and that, it sure would be nice if drake would display the amounts drawn from other data entry sources. still, i have used other entry-based programs before [lacerte and ultratax], and drake is a better fot for me than those, mainly because of the price, and truly great service. i know i'll "get used to" drake quickly, because i've done it before, and anything is better than being tortured by a crappy company like ATX whose focus is on profits, and, clearly only act like they care about the customer when it's "sales time"; because i've been down that road before too. NOTE: drake will email you an excel spreadsheet template for ease of entry of stock transactions, plus they have a separate automatic pay-per service that will scan & extract the transactions for you. [called gruntworx] a client write-up with live and after-the-fact payroll and pr taxes program is also included, so i'm going to give drake a try, they seem to be a great fit for just about any small firm, except those that only prepare very complex returns exclusively. i feel obligated to make ATX feel some pain, by losing my business. they delivered tremendous pain to everyone i work with, and every member of my family, and they will keep doing it, if we don't teach them a lesson. power to the people!

ATX is the biggest joke in the entire software industry. Anyone that stays with them is a masochist, who deserves what they get.

right, but it won't stop me from asking for the 2013 program for free... what discounts have yall gotten in the past ? any master negotiators in here ?

best price for Drake ? in all my genius, i'm not clear on what my proce should be. i'm a sole practitioner. what i remember is that they said if i paid for 2013, that i would get 2002-2012 programs free. anyone know the price for unlimited returns ? any master negotiators in here ?

ok thank you margaret gail & lee. i installed the payroll program, didnt even know there was 2 programs jeez louise, ATX has really become something *special* i guess i never read the fine print when they informed about having 2 separate prgms. at least this little module isn't all corrupted with an *improved* platform. -cg

NY, it seems like going back to Lacerte may be the best option for you. just my opinion. i used Lacerte [for several years], and it was definately a Cadillac, and so is UltraTax [used for a few years too], they're both top-of-the-line for complex returns [i used to work in a big firm]. Drake is very similar in it's concept, [and i am buying Drake], but, it sounds way too limited for your complexity. i haven't used Drake much, but i get it already, so that probably leaves you with Lacerte and UltraTax, and you should most likely go with Lacerte because you're already familiar, and your time is valuable too, probably alot more valuable than learning to deal with another software package. best of luck to you, -cg

ATX should give us the 2013 program for free, to evaluate. this is the only way i can consider staying with ATX.

is ATX really gonna care ?

no form appears for me using 2012 ver.12.13 using the 2011 Program... -Add Forms -Find: 941 -Federal: box checked -Payroll: box checked 15 forms appear, including schedules B, D, R EF 2011, 2012 and PR 941 Forms 2012 version, i get nothing. what does margaret mean by payroll module ?

payroll module ? i'm using version 12.13 of the tax software

941 form for 1st Qtr 2013 ??? any idea if the form will be released by the deadline ? jeez ATX sucks, they really really suck. -cg

ATX just sucks.