2018 Review of CCH ProSystem fx Tax

From the 2018 reviews of professional tax preparation systems.

CCH ProSystem fx Tax from Wolters Kluwer Tax & Accounting is part of the CCH ProSystem fx Suite. Designed as an on-premise solution, CCH ProSystem fx Tax can be installed on desktop and network systems. Well-suited for accounting firms of all sizes, CCH ProSystem fx offers optimum value when used with other CCH ProSystem fx applications.

CCH ProSystem fx Tax allows users to use interview forms or worksheets when entering tax data. The interview forms provide easy data entry by mirroring the form being utilized, with a convenient Zoom feature available to enlarge forms if necessary. All available worksheets are categorized in a drop-down menu for easy access, with users able to hide sections of the worksheet if desired. Users can search for a return by client or by specific criteria, or by accessing the client return list. Users can also customize the Tax Preparation Toolbar to better suit their needs by adding, removing or rearranging buttons, inserting separators, or resetting the default toolbar settings.

CCH ProSystem fx Tax supports thousands of forms and schedules, with users able to purchase separate modules to process a variety of return types including Individual, Partnership, Corporation, Employee Benefit Plan, Fiduciary, Estate and Gift, and Exempt Organization, with users able to prepare 1040, 1041, 1065, 1120, 1120s, 990, and 5500 forms along with all relevant state forms. E-filing is supported for all federal and state forms, with the application providing users with notification when the IRS accepts the forms.

CCH ProSystem fx Tax offers a complete diagnostic system, which scans all prepared forms for inconsistencies or missing data. Navigation panels and pop-up menus are also available to guide users through each return.

Integration with the CCH Axcess Portal provides firms and their clients with the ability to share source documents, completed tax returns, and other data confidentially. The portal supports a variety of file types and sizes and also offers excellent search capability using file type, keyword, or creator search terms.

A variety of CCH ProSystem fx applications are available to facilitate a paperless workflow, including CCH ProSystem fx Document, which offers complete document management capability that easily stores all workpapers electronically for easy access from within the system. Prepared returns can be linked to clients in Document, and users can easily print completed returns directly into Document as needed. Document is completely searchable, and utilizes version control, so users will always know that they are accessing the most recent version of any document stored. And those using CCH ProSystem fx Scan can process a large number of documents, with all scanned documents automatically identified and organized in a bookmarked PDF document.

CCH ProSystem fx Tax can be used as a stand-alone application, but firms will really benefit from the level of integration the application has with other CCH ProSystem fx and CCH Axcess applications including CCH ProSystem fx Document and Scan, mentioned earlier, as well as CCH ProSystem fx Planning and Practice Management, as well as CCH Axcess Workstream, CCH KnowledgeConnect, and CCH IntelliConnect; Wolters Kluwer Tax & Accounting’s research platform that is designed to be a central information resource for accounting professionals. This seamless integration results in complete tax and practice management capability, with document management and tax research capabilities included.

Wolters Kluwer Tax & Accounting offers complete product support for all of their applications including CCH ProSystem fx applications. Here users can enter search terms to access FAQs and solutions, product documentation, How To options, as well as extensive Help files. The resource center also offers access to product videos, a robust user community, and access to product support. Users can keep track of any open support cases, request help via email, initiate a remote support session or chat support session, or contact support via telephone if desired, with the cost of support included in the cost of the product. Users also have access to various training options that are offered by Wolters Kluwer Tax & Accounting for all of their applications, and conversion services are available for those that are switching from another application.

CCH ProSystem fx Tax is a comprehensive tax compliance application suitable for firms of all sizes. Though the product can be used as a stand-alone application, when used with other CCH ProSystem fx or CCH Axcess applications, users are presented with complete tax and practice management capability. Pricing for CCH ProSystem fx Tax varies depending on number of users and modules purchased, with pricing available directly from Wolters Kluwer Tax & Accounting upon request.

2018 Rating: 4.75 Stars