Tools for Accounting

Buyer's guide

AI tax preparation software for CPA firms compared

These are the 10 tools in our directory that prepare tax returns or automate return data entry from client source documents for CPA firms, listed alphabetically, not ranked. Where prices are published they run up to $60 per return, several tools offer free returns to start, and most tools push data into the tax software your firm already uses rather than replacing it. Every fact below comes from the vendor's own pages or public reviews, with sources cited. Need tax research, filing or planning tools instead? See all 16 tools in our Income Tax category.

At a glance

ToolWho it's forPublished pricing
AccrualAccounting firms preparing complex individual, trust and partnership returns, with tax professionals reviewing and approving the work.Pricing not published; Accrual asks firms to get in touch (sales@accrual.com)
Black OreCPA and accounting firms of every size, from national firms to small and mid-sized practices, plus wealth and RIA firms.From $60 per return for small and mid-sized firms (per-return pricing); Enterprise firms: request pricing
FiledAccounting firms preparing 1040, 1065, 1120, 1120-S, 1041 and 990 returns.Custom monthly pricing scoped to the client book
GroveTax and accounting firms preparing individual (1040) returns, especially firms on ProConnect, Lacerte, Drake or UltraTax CS.Pricing not published as a price list: the platform is billed per return with no commitment, or as one flat price for unlimited clients and returns billed annually or monthly, quoted on a pricing call; the AI Prep add-on is priced per prepared return (pre-purchase and save 10%)
GruntWorxAccounting firms during tax season.GruntWorx CORE (self-verified): $10 for a single return, or bundles of $175 for 25 returns ($7.00 each), $325 for 50 ($6.50), $600 for 100 ($6.00) and $1,375 for 250 ($5.50); custom for 500+ returns; CORE returns expire 18 months after purchase. PREMIUM variable pricing: 50 cents per page for ORGANIZE and POPULATE, $1.25 per form populated, 30 cents per trade (Trade DETAILS) and $6.00 per brokerage (Trade SUMMARY); PREMIUM return-based plans by quote. Free trial offered
JunoCPA and tax firms preparing individual and business returns, from small practices to regional firms (custom pricing above 2,500 returns a year).Flat per-return rate, $50 per return at 500 returns (pricing calculator default view); one rate regardless of return complexity, lower at higher volume; all modules and integrations included; custom pricing above 2,500 returns. Free trial: 5 free preparations, no credit card
SorabanAccounting firms preparing individual and business returns, with the vendor pointing to firms processing 500 to 2,000+ returns a year (packages start at 250 returns).Pricing not published as a price list: annual return-based license (one credit per client return, Nov 1 to Oct 31) with packages from 250 returns and volume discounts, plus a one-time onboarding fee of $1,000 to $4,500; not priced per user
SurePrepTax professionals and firms preparing individual (1040) returns, mostly in CCH Axcess Tax, GoSystem Tax RS, Lacerte or UltraTax CS.Pricing not published; Thomson Reuters takes sales inquiries (800-968-8900)
TaxScoutUS CPA firms, from solo practices (the Solo plan covers 150 returns a year) to firms filing 3,500+ returns, that want AI to prepare the work while a reviewer approves every return.Per firm, by returns, on a 12-month term (monthly or prepaid): Solo $49/month (150 return credits a year), Firm $149/month (500), Practice $415/month (1,500), Volume $825/month (3,500); overage $4, $4, $3 and $2 per return; Enterprise above 3,500 returns by quote. Unlimited internal users and clients on every plan. Early access: plans are set up with firms directly
TXF IntelligenceTax professionals and small tax and accounting firms in the US that use ProConnect or Drake.Per return, no minimum purchase: Starter $30 per return (1 to 49 returns), Growth $25 (50 to 99), Premium $20 (100+); Enterprise custom for 1,000+ returns. First 3 returns free, no card required

Accrual

Accrual is an AI platform for accounting firms that prepares tax, audit, client accounting and advisory work for review. Its tax products prepare complex 1040, 1041 and 1065 returns around the firm's existing tax engine, with every figure traced to source. Arc, launched September 22, 2026, is an agent that firms assign multi-step work across their connected systems and then review. [1]

Who it's for: Accounting firms preparing complex individual, trust and partnership returns, with tax professionals reviewing and approving the work. Armanino is a named customer across 6 offices. The audit and advisory products are in early access. [1]

Published pricing: Pricing not published; Accrual asks firms to get in touch (sales@accrual.com) [1]

Full Accrual listing

Black Ore

Black Ore's Tax Autopilot prepares individual tax returns for CPA and accounting firms. It extracts data from source documents, including complex K-1 and K-3 packages, prepares the return directly in the firm's supported tax software and produces workpapers and Excel tie-outs for review, with figures traced to their source. [2]

Who it's for: CPA and accounting firms of every size, from national firms to small and mid-sized practices, plus wealth and RIA firms. Black Ore for Small Firms, launched October 27, 2026, adds per-return pricing with no enterprise contract. [2]

Published pricing: From $60 per return for small and mid-sized firms (per-return pricing); Enterprise firms: request pricing [3]

Integrations listed: Intuit ProConnect Tax, Intuit Lacerte [2]

Pros cited in reviews

  • Strong document extraction and audit trails are cited. [4]
  • Suited to mid-to-large firms with complex returns. [5]

Cons cited in reviews

  • Enterprise pricing is quote-only (small firms start at $60 per return), and accuracy claims are vendor-reported. [5]
  • Some firms report difficulty getting demos or implementation updates. [6]
  • Requires onboarding and workflow changes. [5]

Full Black Ore listing

Filed

Filed is AI tax preparation and review software for accounting firms. It works inside CCH Axcess, UltraTax, Lacerte, Drake and ProConnect. [7]

Who it's for: Accounting firms preparing 1040, 1065, 1120, 1120-S, 1041 and 990 returns. [7]

Published pricing: Custom monthly pricing scoped to the client book [8]

Integrations listed: CCH Axcess, UltraTax, Lacerte, Drake, ProConnect, GoSystem Tax RS, Excel, Karbon [9]

Pros cited in reviews

  • Broad tax software integrations and source-linked review are strengths. [10]
  • Includes tax planning tools. [10]

Cons cited in reviews

  • Pricing is opaque and firm-wide, with an eight-week onboarding commitment. [11]
  • Practitioners report extraction errors with prior-year data and multi-state K-1s, so human review remains essential. [12]
  • Some practitioners report costly contracts and implementation issues. [12]

Full Filed listing

Grove

Grove is an AI tax workflow platform for professional tax preparers. It combines a client portal, an adaptive AI organizer, document collection, workpapers, an AI Prep add-on that drafts the return, 8879 e-signature and client payments, while returns still file from the firm's own tax software. [13]

Who it's for: Tax and accounting firms preparing individual (1040) returns, especially firms on ProConnect, Lacerte, Drake or UltraTax CS. Grove was founded by Uday Nandam, who led product for Lacerte and ProConnect Tax at Intuit and was Head of Product for UltraTax CS at Thomson Reuters. [13]

Published pricing: Pricing not published as a price list: the platform is billed per return with no commitment, or as one flat price for unlimited clients and returns billed annually or monthly, quoted on a pricing call; the AI Prep add-on is priced per prepared return (pre-purchase and save 10%) [14]

Integrations listed: Intuit ProConnect Tax, Intuit Lacerte, Drake Tax, UltraTax CS [13]

Full Grove listing

GruntWorx

GruntWorx automates tax document processing for accounting firms. It combines AI-enhanced document processing with human review to organize client documents, extract data, deliver workpapers and populate supported tax software. [15]

Who it's for: Accounting firms during tax season. [15]

Published pricing: GruntWorx CORE (self-verified): $10 for a single return, or bundles of $175 for 25 returns ($7.00 each), $325 for 50 ($6.50), $600 for 100 ($6.00) and $1,375 for 250 ($5.50); custom for 500+ returns; CORE returns expire 18 months after purchase. PREMIUM variable pricing: 50 cents per page for ORGANIZE and POPULATE, $1.25 per form populated, 30 cents per trade (Trade DETAILS) and $6.00 per brokerage (Trade SUMMARY); PREMIUM return-based plans by quote. Free trial offered [16]

Pros cited in reviews

  • An independent reviewer calls it inexpensive and easy to use for standard 1040 documents. [17]
  • Works with Drake, Lacerte, UltraTax and CCH. [18]
  • Low-cost automation with broad tax software integrations. [18]

Cons cited in reviews

  • OCR errors and incomplete state data are reported. [17]
  • Turnaround can slow near tax deadlines. [19]
  • OCR errors and incomplete state data population require thorough review. [17]

Full GruntWorx listing

Juno

Juno is an AI tax preparation and review platform for accounting firms, built by Dave Haase, CPA, founder of Golden State Accounting. It turns source documents into workpapers mapped back to each document, flags exceptions for review and pushes data into the firm's tax software for 1040s and business returns. Nothing moves to the return without the preparer's sign-off. [20]

Who it's for: CPA and tax firms preparing individual and business returns, from small practices to regional firms (custom pricing above 2,500 returns a year). [20]

Published pricing: Flat per-return rate, $50 per return at 500 returns (pricing calculator default view); one rate regardless of return complexity, lower at higher volume; all modules and integrations included; custom pricing above 2,500 returns. Free trial: 5 free preparations, no credit card [21]

Integrations listed: Drake Tax, Intuit Lacerte, Intuit ProConnect Tax, Intuit ProSeries, CCH Axcess Tax, TaxDome, Canopy, Karbon [22]

Full Juno listing

Soraban

Soraban is an AI tax workflow platform for accounting firms. It collects and sorts client documents, builds review-ready workpapers, leadsheets and binders with an AI review, sends extracted data into the firm's tax software and delivers the finished return packet for e-signature and payment in one link. [23]

Who it's for: Accounting firms preparing individual and business returns, with the vendor pointing to firms processing 500 to 2,000+ returns a year (packages start at 250 returns). Soraban says 350+ firms use it, in the US and Canada. [23]

Published pricing: Pricing not published as a price list: annual return-based license (one credit per client return, Nov 1 to Oct 31) with packages from 250 returns and volume discounts, plus a one-time onboarding fee of $1,000 to $4,500; not priced per user [23]

Integrations listed: UltraTax CS, Intuit Lacerte, Drake Tax, CCH Axcess Tax [23]

Full Soraban listing

SurePrep

SurePrep, part of Thomson Reuters, automates 1040 tax preparation for firms. Its products cover client collaboration (TaxCaddy), digital workpaper binders (SPbinder), AI scan-and-populate data entry (1040SCAN) and an outsourced preparation service. [24]

Who it's for: Tax professionals and firms preparing individual (1040) returns, mostly in CCH Axcess Tax, GoSystem Tax RS, Lacerte or UltraTax CS. Named users include Forvis and BDO. [24]

Published pricing: Pricing not published; Thomson Reuters takes sales inquiries (800-968-8900) [24]

Integrations listed: CCH Axcess Tax, GoSystem Tax RS, Intuit Lacerte, UltraTax CS [24]

Pros cited in reviews

  • Can save time on medium-complexity returns and brokerage statements, per practitioners. [25]
  • Integrates with CCH, Lacerte and UltraTax. [26]
  • Binder and workpaper organization with cross-references saves time on mid-complex 1040s. [25]

Cons cited in reviews

  • Practitioners call it slow and clunky for simple returns. [27]
  • Cost is a recurring complaint. [25]
  • Steep learning curve and OCR errors on poor scans. [25]

Full SurePrep listing

TaxScout

TaxScout is an AI-native tax preparation, review and filing platform for CPA firms. It handles client intake and documents, drafts the complete return with every value linked to the page it came from, routes exceptions to a reviewer and then e-files supported returns under the firm's EFIN or exports approved data to the firm's existing tax software. It also includes practice tools such as a client portal, pipeline, billing and messaging. [28]

Who it's for: US CPA firms, from solo practices (the Solo plan covers 150 returns a year) to firms filing 3,500+ returns, that want AI to prepare the work while a reviewer approves every return. TaxScout says it is not for non-US practices or DIY taxpayers. Plans are set up directly with firms through early access; nothing is purchasable on the website as of October 30, 2026. [28]

Published pricing: Per firm, by returns, on a 12-month term (monthly or prepaid): Solo $49/month (150 return credits a year), Firm $149/month (500), Practice $415/month (1,500), Volume $825/month (3,500); overage $4, $4, $3 and $2 per return; Enterprise above 3,500 returns by quote. Unlimited internal users and clients on every plan. Early access: plans are set up with firms directly [29]

Integrations listed: Drake Tax, CCH Axcess Tax, UltraTax CS, Intuit Lacerte [28]

Full TaxScout listing

TXF Intelligence

TXF Intelligence is an AI tax document extraction and data entry tool from Taxfyle. Firms upload a client's W-2s, 1099s, 1098s and last year's return (or request them from the client), TXF identifies each document and extracts every value, the preparer checks each value beside the line it came from, and the reviewed data exports to Intuit ProConnect Tax or Drake. [30]

Who it's for: Tax professionals and small tax and accounting firms in the US that use ProConnect or Drake. Taxfyle launched TXF Intelligence in June 2025; in October 2026 it moved to its own site, txf.tax, with pay-per-return pricing. [30]

Published pricing: Per return, no minimum purchase: Starter $30 per return (1 to 49 returns), Growth $25 (50 to 99), Premium $20 (100+); Enterprise custom for 1,000+ returns. First 3 returns free, no card required [31]

Integrations listed: Drake Tax, Intuit ProConnect Tax [30]

Full TXF Intelligence listing

How to choose

  • Confirm it works with your tax software (for example CCH Axcess, UltraTax, Lacerte, Drake or ProConnect).
  • Check which return types it supports (1040, 1065, 1120S and so on).
  • Ask how answers and prepared figures are cited or traced to source.
  • Review data security and retention terms.

Frequently asked questions

How much does AI tax preparation software cost per return?

Published prices run up to $60 per return as of October 30, 2026. TaxScout sells return credits on a 12-month term (Solo $49 a month for 150 returns a year), TXF Intelligence charges $20 to $30 per return for document extraction with no minimum, GruntWorx CORE charges $5.50 to $10 per self-verified return for document organization and data entry, Juno shows $50 per return at 500 returns, and Black Ore starts at $60 per return for small and mid-sized firms. Accrual, Filed, Grove, Soraban and SurePrep quote on request (Grove prices its AI Prep add-on per prepared return), and Soraban adds a one-time onboarding fee of $1,000 to $4,500.

Which AI tax preparation software has a free trial?

TXF Intelligence gives your first 3 returns free with no card, and Juno offers 5 free preparations with no credit card, per their pricing pages as of October 30, 2026. GruntWorx also offers a free trial. The other tools here offer demos or early access instead.

Which AI tax prep tools work with my tax software?

Most push data into an existing tax engine. Soraban lists UltraTax, Lacerte, Drake and CCH Axcess; TXF Intelligence exports to ProConnect and Drake; SurePrep works with CCH Axcess, GoSystem, Lacerte and UltraTax; GruntWorx populates the firm's existing tax software; Filed works inside CCH Axcess, UltraTax, Lacerte, Drake and ProConnect; Grove's AI Prep sends returns directly to ProConnect and exports to Lacerte and Drake. TaxScout says its tax software exports are still in design-partner validation, so check each listing before you buy.

Does AI tax preparation replace the preparer?

No. Every tool here produces a draft or extracted data that a tax professional reviews, corrects and signs, and several keep each figure linked to its source document for that review.

How did you choose these 10 tools?

They are the tools in our Income Tax category that prepare returns or automate return data entry from source documents. Tax research, filing-only and DIY consumer tools are in our broader guide to AI tools for tax professionals. Listings are not paid, and the order is alphabetical.

Sources

  1. https://www.accrual.com/
  2. https://blackore.ai
  3. https://blackore.ai/pricing
  4. https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/black-ores-tax-autopilot-now-generally-available
  5. https://agent-finder.co/reviews/black-ore-tax-autopilot
  6. https://www.reddit.com/r/taxpros/comments/1vazaf8/does_anyone_have_experience_with_black_ore/
  7. https://filed.com
  8. https://filed.com/pricing
  9. https://filed.com/integrations
  10. https://www.itechguides.com/best/ai-tax-software/filed/
  11. https://zekaiwork.com/ai-tools/filed/
  12. https://www.reddit.com/r/taxpros/comments/1v8d43m/anyone_ever_used_filed/
  13. https://grove.tax/
  14. https://grove.tax/pricing.html
  15. https://gruntworx.com
  16. https://www.gruntworx.com/pricing/
  17. https://www.wealthyaccountant.com/2022/07/10/gruntworx-review/
  18. https://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2020/08/17/2020-review-of-gruntworx-tax-automation-and-organization/39613/
  19. https://www.reddit.com/r/taxpros/comments/vjycpb/sureprep_vs_gruntworx_human_verification/
  20. https://juno.tax/
  21. https://juno.tax/pricing
  22. https://juno.tax/integrations/proseries
  23. https://www.soraban.com/
  24. https://tax.thomsonreuters.com/en/sureprep
  25. https://www.reddit.com/r/taxpros/comments/1ifch8f/does_anyone_have_any_experience_using_sureprep/
  26. https://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2020/08/17/2020-review-of-sureprep-1040scan/39611/
  27. https://www.reddit.com/r/taxpros/comments/1o98y67/any_experience_with_sureprepautomated_tax_prep/
  28. https://taxscout.ai/
  29. https://taxscout.ai/pricing
  30. https://www.txf.tax/
  31. https://www.txf.tax/pricing

Last checked: 2026-10-30