ModernEFile Mate
ModernEFile Mate: A Windows tool for preparing federal payroll returns across up to 200 companies. Ranked #21 of 31 in Payroll Tax Software by our editors (6.3/10); pricing: 30-day trial; best for practitioners filing federal returns for many companies.
At a glance
- Editor score6.3 / 10
- Pricing30-day trial
- Best forPractitioners filing federal returns for many companies
- Free planNo
- Paid from$245/yr
- Jurisdiction coverageFederal_only
- Founded2003 · Orland Park, Illinois, USA
- Facts checked20 Sep 2026

Where it wins
- Supports Forms 941 and 940 with built-in error validation
- Annual plans include no per-form fees
- Handles up to 200 companies with local backup and restore
Where it doesn't
- Users must manually upload submission files to the IRS
- Windows-only software with one listed integration
- The 2026 edition covers only 2026 Forms 941 and 940
Our verdict on ModernEFile Mate
ModernEFile Mate is Windows desktop software for tax professionals, accountants, CPAs, and payroll providers preparing federal Forms 941 and 940. It supports company-based annual licensing, from 10 to 200 companies, and stores data locally. The workflow includes form preparation, built-in error validation, PDF preview, printing, export, filing-status tracking, notes, local backup and restore, and support for Practitioner PIN and Reporting Agent PIN use. It is designed for practitioners managing filings across multiple companies rather than businesses seeking broader payroll tax coverage.
Pricing is organized by company capacity: the 10 Companies plan costs $245 per year, 25 Companies costs $395 per year, 50 Companies costs $585 per year, 100 Companies costs $685 per year, and 200 Companies costs $875 per year. Each plan includes an annual license, no per-form fees, and creation of files for direct IRS Modernized e-File submission. A 30-day trial is available. The software does not complete the final online submission itself; users must manually upload the generated files to the IRS Modernized e-File system. Downloadable software is non-refundable, and the 2026 edition requires a new edition for later tax years.
Its ecosystem is focused: Payroll Mate data import is the listed integration, while the application also supports IRS test-mode submission and filing-status notes. The local storage model suits practitioners who want desktop control and local backup, but the Windows-only platform narrows deployment options. ModernEFile Mate is a practical fit for firms filing federal Forms 941 and 940 for many companies, especially when no per-form fees matter. Organizations needing state filings, broader form coverage, or an automated direct-submission workflow should consider a different type of payroll tax product.
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ModernEFile Mate pricing
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ModernEFile Mate fact sheet
| Free plan | No |
|---|---|
| Paid from | $245/yr |
| Tax filing | No |
| Tax payment support | Not verified |
| Tax form preparation | Yes |
| Jurisdiction coverage | Federal_only |
| Tax reconciliation | Not verified |
| Year-end forms | Yes |
| States covered | Not verified |
| Free trial | 30 days |
| Deployment | Desktop |
| Platforms | Windows |
| Support | Email, Live chat, Phone |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 1 integrations: Payroll Mate |
| Pricing | 30-day trial (source) |
| Website | realtaxtools.com |
| Facts checked | 20 Sep 2026 |
ModernEFile Mate integrations
ModernEFile Mate lists 1 integrations on its own site.
- Payroll Mate
Alternatives to ModernEFile Mate
- TaxBanditsA low-cost U.S. payroll tax platform with federal, state, reconciliation, and API workflows.8.9
- Sovos Withholding ComplianceA mature withholding operations platform for complex federal, state and local workflows.8.7
- HMRC Basic PAYE ToolsA focused free option for UK PAYE calculations, filings, payslips and year-end records.8.5
See all ModernEFile Mate alternatives →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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