Tax prep AI arrived in two waves, and both are here. The first is the AI inside the suites firms already run: Drake Tax's SmartExtract and Drake Intelligence, ProConnect's SmartReturn, UltraTax's CoCounsel Tax connection, CCH Axcess Tax's AnswerConnect search bar and MyTAXPrepOffice's My AI Assistant, which read uploaded W-2s, 1099s and K-1s into the return for the preparer to confirm. The second is the agent layer that works alongside your software: Basis, Byron, Filed, Soraban, Juno, Black Ore and Thomson Reuters' Ready to Review take the first pass — organizing documents, building workpapers, drafting the return and reviewing it line by line against the source — and hand it to a person.
Pricing follows the same split. The suites post licenses (Drake from $379.99 for pay-per-return, MyTAXPrepOffice from $895 a year, ProConnect per return), the per-return agents post flat rates (Juno $50, Black Ore $60) and the firm-scale platforms are quoted after a demo. Numeral covers the sales-tax side with free nexus monitoring and $75 filings, and TaxRobot handles R&D credits. Every listing names what the AI does and which tax software it feeds, because that is the question firms ask first.
Quick answers
How much does AI tax prep tool software cost for an accounting firm?
6 of the 15 tools post a price; 9 are quote-based (priced to your business after a demo). Posted prices: Black Ore $60/return; Drake Tax $379.99/tax year; Intuit ProConnect Tax $93.46/return; Juno $50/return; MyTAXPrepOffice $895/yr; Numeral free plan.
Which tax preparation and review tools offer a free trial or a free plan?
Free trial: Intuit ProConnect Tax, Juno and MyTAXPrepOffice. Free plan: Numeral. The other 11 start with a demo or a quick signup.
Which tax preparation and review tools fit a solo practitioner?
Drake Tax, Intuit ProConnect Tax, Juno, MyTAXPrepOffice and Numeral are listed as a fit for a solo practitioner. The other 10 are built for small and mid-size firms.
Who do these tax preparation and review tools serve: solo practitioners, small CPA firms, bookkeepers, tax offices or CAS practices?
Tools that name the segment on their own site: Solo practitioners 6; Small CPA firms 10; Bookkeeping practices 1; Tax offices 9; CAS practices 2. 5 of the 15 also sell to accounting practices generally.
Which tax preparation and review tools work with QuickBooks Online, Xero, Drake, Lacerte, UltraTax, CCH Axcess or your practice software?
Listings that name an integration or platform: Black Ore (ATX, CCH Axcess, CCH ProSystem fx, Drake, GoSystem, Lacerte); Byron (Excel); CCH Axcess Tax (CCH AnswerConnect, Xpitax); Drake Tax (GruntWorx, Drake Portals, Drake Workflow, Drake E-Sign, Drake Pay, Drake Accounting); Filed (CCH Axcess, Lacerte, Drake, ProConnect, Karbon, Canopy); HubSync Tax Workpapers (Outlook); Intuit ProConnect Tax (QuickBooks Online, SmartVault, Intuit Link, Intuit Tax Advisor); Juno (Drake, Lacerte, ProConnect, ProSeries, CCH Axcess); Numeral (Shopify, Stripe, Amazon, QuickBooks and dozens more); Soraban (UltraTax, Lacerte, Drake, CCH Axcess, ProConnect, Karbon); UltraTax CS (CoCounsel Tax, Accounting CS, Practice CS, Onvio, 1040SCAN, SPbinder). Integrations change often; confirm with the vendor before you buy.
When were these listings last checked?
On Oct 29, 2026, against each vendor's own site and pricing page. Vendors change plans often; anything a reader or vendor flags is fixed, usually the same day. Corrections: support@aiforaccountingpractices.com.