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Head-to-head · Tax Software

Lacerte Tax vs TaxWise

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 1 check side by side
Higher score Lacerte Tax #2 in Tax Software 9.2/10 Paid ✓ 0 of 2 features Visit Lacerte Tax
TaxWise #5 in Tax Software 8.8/10 Paid ✓ 0 of 2 features Visit TaxWise

Lacerte Tax leads on 0 checks, TaxWise on 0, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 1 yes/no, price and count check where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreLacerte Tax · 9.2/10

Lacerte Tax scores higher on our rubric for tax software: 9.2 against 8.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #5.

Lacerte Tax is the better fit for firms handling complex individual and business returns. TaxWise is the better fit for small firms preparing business returns.

  • Lacerte Tax fits best

    Firms handling complex individual and business returns

  • TaxWise fits best

    Small firms preparing business returns

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Side by side

Feature Lacerte Tax 9.2/10 Visit ↗ TaxWise 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.2 8.8
Ranking #2 in Tax Software #5 in Tax Software
Best for Firms handling complex individual and business returns Small firms preparing business returns
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price — —
Free plan — —
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop, Cloud Cloud, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Windows Web, Windows, iOS, Android
Support Phone, Email, Docs Live chat, Tickets, Docs
Integrations 8 integrations 3 integrations
Built for Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market
Features Lacerte Tax 0/2 · TaxWise 0/2
Electronic filing Not checked yet Not checked yet
Client portal Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Tax types Not checked yet Not checked yet
Return types Not checked yet Not checked yet
Jurisdictions Not checked yet Not checked yet
Platforms Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Covers individual, business, fiduciary, estate, gift, nonprofit, and benefit-plan returns
  • Includes 25,000+ diagnostics and 7,200+ tax forms
  • Supports imports, e-filing, amended returns, and client document collection
  • Supports federal and state e-filing for individual and business returns.
  • Includes TaxWise Desktop with the listed Online packages.
  • Offers tax research through CCH AnswerConnect and TheTaxBook.
Cons
  • Windows desktop software; hosted remote access is a separate option
  • The annual pay-per-return license is $813 before per-return charges
  • Single-user access on the pay-per-return annual license
  • The $429 annual Limited package has no stated return count.
  • Limited includes individual 1040 and business e-file options, not stated return totals.
  • The listed packages require payment; no free plan is offered.
Our verdict

Lacerte Tax is professional tax preparation software for accounting firms handling complex individual and business returns. Its coverage extends to fiduciary, estate, gift, nonprofit, and benefit-plan filings, with federal and state…

Read the review →

TaxWise is tax preparation software for professional tax preparers and EROs, with online, desktop, and mobile options. Its return coverage spans individual and business e-filing, including partnership, corporation, S corporation,…

Read the review →
  1. Lacerte TaxTax Software 9.2Paid
  2. TaxWiseTax Software 8.8Paid

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Lacerte Tax — where it wins

    • Covers individual, business, fiduciary, estate, gift, nonprofit, and benefit-plan returns
    • Includes 25,000+ diagnostics and 7,200+ tax forms
    • Supports imports, e-filing, amended returns, and client document collection

    Where it doesn't

    • Windows desktop software; hosted remote access is a separate option
    • The annual pay-per-return license is $813 before per-return charges
    • Single-user access on the pay-per-return annual license

  • TaxWise — where it wins

    • Supports federal and state e-filing for individual and business returns.
    • Includes TaxWise Desktop with the listed Online packages.
    • Offers tax research through CCH AnswerConnect and TheTaxBook.

    Where it doesn't

    • The $429 annual Limited package has no stated return count.
    • Limited includes individual 1040 and business e-file options, not stated return totals.
    • The listed packages require payment; no free plan is offered.

More comparisons

All tax software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update