Drake Tax is professional tax preparation software built by Drake Software, a company based in Franklin, North Carolina, that's been serving tax professionals since 1977. It's used by tens of thousands of tax pros and CPAs to prepare and e-file both individual and business federal and state returns across all 50 states.
Unlike flashier newer entrants, Drake Tax's reputation is built on speed, accuracy and value rather than a sleek interface — reviewers consistently note it's a "financially friendly" option for small to midsize practices compared to pricier competitors, while still handling the full complexity of professional tax prep: diagnostics, exception notifications, data verification, and scenario planning via the built-in Tax Planner and Quick Estimator.
Drake Tax is desktop software rather than a browser-based app, though cloud hosting options exist for firms that want remote access. It isn't a heavily "AI-branded" product in the way many newer tools are, but its automated diagnostics and e-filing accuracy checks serve a similar purpose to AI-powered review in other categories — catching errors before a return is filed.
Who is Drake Tax for?
Independent tax preparers and small to midsize accounting firms who want full-featured, affordable professional tax software and are comfortable with a desktop-first, less polished interface in exchange for lower cost and flexible licensing compared to larger competitors.