HowardSoft Tax Preparer
HowardSoft Tax Preparer: A deep Windows desktop tax tool for complex federal returns, with costly tiers and state filing. Ranked #118 of 123 in Personal Tax Software by our editors (3.0/10); pricing: Paid; best for US desktop users preparing complex federal returns.
At a glance
- Editor score3.0 / 10
- PricingPaid
- Best forUS desktop users preparing complex federal returns
- Free planNo
- Paid from$229/yr
- Self-employment supportYes
- Facts checked22 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Handles self-employment, investments, rental income, and depreciation
- Supports unlimited itemizing, supporting statements, and tax planning
- Includes built-in forms, instructions, publications, and graphic printing
Where it doesn't
- Starts at $229 with no free plan
- Windows desktop deployment only
- State filing is a paid add-on; Economy has no e-file
Our verdict on HowardSoft Tax Preparer
HowardSoft Tax Preparer is Windows desktop software for preparing U.S. federal Form 1040 returns. It is aimed at individuals and professional preparers handling more involved returns, including self-employment, investment income, rental income, depreciation, credits, and itemizing. Interactive calculations, automated form completion, prior-year return translation, tax planning, built-in instructions, and supporting statements give it a broad federal tax-preparation scope. Its desktop format suits users who prefer locally installed Windows software over a web or mobile tax application.
The three one-time editions are separated by form coverage and filing output. Economy Level costs $229 and includes the Individual edition, a basic tax form set, main-form graphic printout, and no e-file. Standard Level costs $329 and adds the Professional edition, expanded form coverage, graphic printouts, and e-file readiness when paired with separately purchased transmission software. Premium Level costs $469 and provides the Professional Plus edition, an expanded tax form set, graphic printouts, and the same e-file arrangement. The tier structure makes Economy suitable for simpler federal filing needs, while Standard and Premium target broader professional-style preparation.
HowardSoft’s strongest fit is for users who need detailed federal return support rather than a lightweight filing workflow. Its schedules and worksheets cover several complex income categories, while unlimited itemizing and prior-year translation can support recurring or documentation-heavy preparation. The trade-offs are material: access begins at $229, e-file transmission software is separately purchased for the upper tiers, and state filing carries an additional charge. Users who need Windows desktop preparation for complex federal returns should consider it; users seeking browser or mobile access, included e-file transmission, or a simpler low-cost experience should look elsewhere.
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HowardSoft Tax Preparer pricing
All 3 HowardSoft Tax Preparer plans and prices →
HowardSoft Tax Preparer fact sheet
| Free plan | No |
|---|---|
| Paid from | $229/yr |
| Self-employment support | Yes |
| Investment income | Yes |
| Rental income | Yes |
| State filing | Paid_add_on |
| Mobile access | Not verified |
| Audit support | Not verified |
| Deployment | Desktop |
| Platforms | Windows |
| Support | Phone, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Paid (source) |
| Website | howardsoft.com |
| Facts checked | 22 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to HowardSoft Tax Preparer
- TurboTaxA broad US tax filing suite with free simple returns and paid expert support.9.3
- H&R Block OnlineA flexible tax-filing service with free simple returns and guided expert help.9.0
- TaxActA broad US tax filing option with free entry, paid coverage, and expert help.8.8
See all HowardSoft Tax Preparer alternatives →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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