- Desktop, online, and hosted deployment: Gives professional offices several ways to run the same tax-software family.
- Individual and business returns: CrossLink 1040 covers individual returns, while the required add-on Business license handles supported entity returns.
- Diagnostics and data capture: Uses hundreds of return checks plus Tax Vision Assist OCR for supported client and income documents.
- Client communication: Connects TaxPass, TextLink Plus, remote signatures, document requests, and return status updates to the tax workflow.
- Office management: Supports unlimited preparers, multi-firm setup, preparer controls, compliance tools, archive, and service-bureau oversight.
- Integrations: Connects to Zapier, bank-product options, PayJunction, and other practice tools listed by the vendor.
CrossLink
Professional tax software for individual, business, and multi-office workflows
Updated August 12, 2026
CrossLink Overview
CrossLink is professional tax software for paid preparers, single offices, multi-office firms, and service bureaus. It is available in desktop, online, and hosted versions. CrossLink 1040 handles individual returns, while CrossLink Business adds entity returns for firms that also prepare partnerships, corporations, estates, trusts, and nonprofits.
The workflow combines return preparation, federal and state e-file, diagnostics, document storage, data conversion, electronic signatures, and client communication. Tax Vision Assist can pull supported taxpayer and income details into a return, while TextLink Plus and TaxPass support document requests and status updates. Franchise and service-bureau tools add office oversight and branding.
Key Features
Pricing
| Plan or service | Current price | Billing and scope |
|---|---|---|
| CrossLink 1040 | $1,795 per tax year | Desktop or Online software with unlimited preparers, unlimited 1040-series and state returns, conversion, archive, onboarding, support, TaxPass, and TextLink Plus. Additional fees may apply. |
| CrossLink Business | $999 per tax year | Unlimited supported business-series returns. Requires an active CrossLink 1040 license, so it is not a standalone $999 entry. |
| Franchise or service bureau | Contact sales | Multi-office management, branding, and service-bureau arrangements are scoped by the vendor. |
| Free demo | Available | CrossLink advertises Try for Free, but does not publish a duration. |
The 1040 license is the normal starting point for a tax office. A firm that prepares entity returns should budget for both the 1040 and Business licenses and confirm every ancillary fee in writing.
Pricing source: CrossLink official pricing. Demo source: CrossLink official free demo.
Pros
| Compared with | Why this product may fit better |
|---|---|
| Drake Tax | CrossLink 1040 includes unlimited preparers in its published license. A growing office can add staff without choosing between Drake Tax’s single-user and multi-user packages or budgeting a separate seat for each preparer. That makes staff access easier to predict as the office grows. |
| TaxSlayer Pro | CrossLink separates individual and business licenses, so a 1040-only practice can wait before buying entity-return coverage. TaxSlayer Pro packages those return types differently, while CrossLink makes it clear which added license is needed when the firm starts taking partnership, corporate, fiduciary, or nonprofit clients. |
| TaxWise | CrossLink includes client communication and service-bureau tools for offices that also manage refund products or affiliated preparers. A growing multi-office business may find more of that work in one product family than it does with a basic TaxWise preparation setup. |
| ProConnect | CrossLink 1040 uses one annual unlimited-return license instead of charging for each individual ProConnect return. A busy 1040 practice can budget one software cost instead of tracking return inventory throughout the season. |
Cons
| Compared with | Where this product may fall short |
|---|---|
| Drake Tax | CrossLink Business costs $999 and requires the $1,795 CrossLink 1040 license, so a mixed practice starts at $2,794 before other fees. Drake Tax Pro includes individual and business returns in one package, so buyers should compare the complete annual setup rather than the business add-on alone. |
| TaxSlayer Pro | CrossLink says additional fees may apply, so its $1,795 license may not be the final annual cost. TaxSlayer Pro publishes clearer package boundaries, while a CrossLink buyer should request a written quote covering every office, module, refund product, and service. |
| TaxWise | CrossLink has only two G2 reviews and one SourceForge review, which is too little evidence to judge support or reliability against TaxWise. A serious buyer should test real federal and state returns and contact support during the demo instead of trusting the perfect-looking small score. |
| ProConnect | CrossLink requires a full annual license, which is less flexible for a new firm with uncertain volume. ProConnect lets that firm buy returns as needed and work in a browser, while CrossLink brings more fixed cost at the start of the season. |
Reviews
- G2 CrossLink reviews (5.0/5 from 2 reviews): One service-bureau owner says CrossLink makes it easier to monitor staff, manage several offices, and track compliance. Another reviewer praises return accuracy. The first reviewer also says they dislike CrossLink Online, but does not explain the problem. With only two reviews, the perfect score is not a stable market measure.
- SourceForge CrossLink review (1.0/5 from 1 review): The reviewer says state-data transfer is fast and complete and likes the Topaz signature integration. The same review objects to added per-e-file charges and recent price increases. This single account is useful for testing questions, not for judging all customers.
