Tax Software for Enrolled Agents: Everything You Need to Start a Practice
Last reviewed: July 9, 2026. This article reflects current IRS rules and EA exam requirements as of this date.
You passed the SEE. You have your EA enrollment. Now what tools do you actually need to start preparing returns and representing clients?
Professional Tax Software
You can't use TurboTax to prepare client returns professionally. You need professional tax preparation software. Here are the main options:
| Software | Best For | Starting Price | Cloud? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drake Tax | Solo/small firms, value | ~$1,500/year | Yes |
| ProConnect Tax (Intuit) | Intuit ecosystem, mid-size | ~$3,000+/year | Yes |
| UltraTax CS (Thomson Reuters) | Larger firms, complex returns | ~$4,000+/year | Hybrid |
| ATX (Wolters Kluwer) | Mid-range, forms-heavy | ~$1,500/year | Yes |
| TaxSlayer Pro | Budget, simple returns | ~$1,000/year | Yes |
| TaxAct Professional | Budget-friendly, intuitive | ~$1,000/year | Yes |
For a new solo EA: Start with Drake or TaxSlayer Pro. Both are affordable, cloud-based, and handle the full range of federal and state returns. You can upgrade later as your practice grows.
Most professional software includes:
- All federal and state forms (1040, 1065, 1120, 1120S, 1041, 706, 709, 990)
- E-filing for all supported forms
- Client organizers and engagement letters
- Integration with your EFIN for direct e-filing with the IRS
Getting Your EFIN
Before you can e-file, you need an Electronic Filing Identification Number (EFIN). Apply through the IRS e-Services portal. Requirements:
- Valid PTIN
- Valid SSN
- Tax compliance check (you must have filed your own returns)
- Fingerprinting (some providers require it)
The EFIN application is free. Processing takes 4-6 weeks. Apply before you need it. The IRS doesn't rush these.
Client Portals
You need a secure way for clients to send you documents. Email is not secure for tax documents. Options:
| Tool | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| TaxDome | ~$50/month | Full practice management + portal |
| Canopy | ~$40/month | Portal + document management + workflow |
| Liscio | ~$50/month | Client communication + portal |
| ShareFile | ~$60/month | Enterprise file sharing |
| Google Workspace + encryption | ~$12/month | Budget DIY option |
For a solo practice starting out, TaxDome or Canopy give you a portal, document storage, e-signatures, and basic workflow tools in one package.
Practice Management
Beyond tax prep software and a portal, you need:
- E-signatures: DocuSign (~$10/month) or built into TaxDome/Canopy
- Scheduling: Calendly (free tier works for solo)
- Invoicing/payments: QuickBooks Self-Employed (~$15/month) or CPACharge
- Website: A simple one-page site with your credentials and contact info
- Business entity: LLC or S-corp (talk to an attorney. EAs can't give legal advice on entity structure)
- E&O insurance: Errors and omissions coverage. $500-1,000/year for a solo EA
Total Startup Cost
| Item | Annual Cost |
|---|---|
| Tax prep software | $1,000-1,500 |
| Client portal | $480-600 |
| E-signatures | $0-120 |
| E&O insurance | $500-1,000 |
| EFIN | $0 |
| Website/domain | $100-200 |
| Total | $2,100-3,400/year |
Your first 10-15 clients cover the overhead. Everything after that is profit.
The Minimal Viable Practice
If you want to start as lean as possible:
- TaxSlayer Pro or Drake Tax (~$100/month on annual plan)
- TaxDome (~$50/month for portal + e-sig + workflow)
- Free Calendly for scheduling
- One-page website (use a template)
- E&O insurance (~$42/month)
That's under $200/month to run a professional tax practice.
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Related: Work From Home Tax Jobs: How Enrolled Agents Make Six Figures Remotely · Remote EA: How to Prepare US Taxes From Anywhere in the World · Enrolled Agent Continuing Education: CPE Requirements and Free Options