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Head-to-head · Income Tax software

UltraTax CS vs Drake Tax

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 1 check side by side
Higher score UltraTax CS #1 in Income Tax software 9.4/10 Pricing on request ✓ 0 of 2 features Visit UltraTax CS
Drake Tax #6 in Income Tax software 8.6/10 From $379.99/yr ✓ 0 of 2 features Visit Drake Tax

UltraTax CS leads on 0 checks, Drake Tax 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 scoreUltraTax CS · 9.4/10

UltraTax CS scores higher on our rubric for income tax software: 9.4 against 8.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #6.

UltraTax CS is the better fit for professional firms with multi-entity tax work. Drake Tax is the better fit for tax practices needing broad desktop return coverage.

  • UltraTax CS fits best

    Professional firms with multi-entity tax work

  • Drake Tax fits best

    Tax practices needing broad desktop return coverage

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature UltraTax CS 9.4/10 Visit ↗ Drake Tax 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 8.6
Ranking #1 in Income Tax software #6 in Income Tax software
Best for Professional firms with multi-entity tax work Tax practices needing broad desktop return coverage
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price Not published $379.99/yr
Free plan Not published —
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Desktop Desktop
Platforms Web, Windows Windows
Support Email, Live chat, Phone, Community, Docs Phone, Email, Live chat, Docs
Integrations 11 integrations 8 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features UltraTax CS 0/2 · Drake Tax 0/2
E-filing Not published Not published
Professional preparer use Not published Not published
Specs
Return types Not published Not published
Tax jurisdictions Not published Not published
Returns included Not published Not published
Our review
Pros
  • Prepares individual, corporate, partnership, estate and trust returns
  • Diagnostics, validation and missing-data checklists flag issues before filing
  • Shares data across related returns and supports multistate allocation
  • Prepares federal and state individual and business returns, including multi-state filings
  • Built-in diagnostics, planning tools, and prior-year LookBack and LinkBack references
  • Integrates with Drake practice tools, GruntWorx Tax Automation, and Bank Products
Cons
  • Custom pricing depends on users, returns, states and jurisdictions
  • Support is not available 24/7
  • Firm-focused workflows may exceed the needs of a single self-filer
  • Windows desktop deployment limits platform flexibility
  • Some plans cap return volumes, while 1040 plans charge extra for business returns
  • State amended-return e-filing availability varies by state
Our verdict

UltraTax CS is professional tax preparation software from Thomson Reuters for accounting firms and tax preparers. It covers federal, state and local returns for individuals, corporations, partnerships, estates and trusts, alongside…

Read the review →

Tax practices preparing individual and business returns can use Drake Tax for federal and state preparation, e-filing, and multi-state returns. It supports forms including 1040, 1065, 1120, 1120-S, 1041, 990, 706, and 709, making it…

Read the review →
  1. UltraTax CSIncome Tax software 9.4Pricing on request
  2. Drake TaxIncome Tax software 8.6From $379.99/yr

Strengths and trade-offs

  • UltraTax CS — where it wins

    • Prepares individual, corporate, partnership, estate and trust returns
    • Diagnostics, validation and missing-data checklists flag issues before filing
    • Shares data across related returns and supports multistate allocation

    Where it doesn't

    • Custom pricing depends on users, returns, states and jurisdictions
    • Support is not available 24/7
    • Firm-focused workflows may exceed the needs of a single self-filer

  • Drake Tax — where it wins

    • Prepares federal and state individual and business returns, including multi-state filings
    • Built-in diagnostics, planning tools, and prior-year LookBack and LinkBack references
    • Integrates with Drake practice tools, GruntWorx Tax Automation, and Bank Products

    Where it doesn't

    • Windows desktop deployment limits platform flexibility
    • Some plans cap return volumes, while 1040 plans charge extra for business returns
    • State amended-return e-filing availability varies by state

More comparisons

All income tax software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Guides on income tax software

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update