- Comprehensive form library: Lacerte covers thousands of federal, state, and local tax forms for individuals, businesses, estates, trusts, and nonprofits.
- Advanced calculations: The software can handle highly complex returns with speed and accuracy, which reduces the chance of errors.
- Pay-per-return or unlimited options: Firms can choose flexible licensing models that fit different workloads and budgets.
- Built-in diagnostics: Lacerte checks returns for common errors and missing information, which helps improve accuracy before filing.
- Workflow automation: Tools for importing data, generating reports, and managing documents save time and improve efficiency.
- E-filing support: Users can electronically file federal and state returns with built-in tracking features.
- Integration with Intuit tools: The software connects with QuickBooks, ProConnect, and other Intuit solutions to streamline data sharing.
- Document management and e-signatures: Firms can securely collect client documents, store them, and request digital signatures directly through the system.
- Client collaboration tools: Lacerte offers portals and features that make it easier to share files, collect forms, and communicate securely with clients.
- Dedicated support and training: Users have access to live technical support, training resources, and industry updates to stay compliant and efficient.
Lacerte
Lacerte is used for preparing, filing, and managing complex business taxes.
Updated February 27, 2026
Lacerte Overview
Lacerte is a professional tax software developed by Intuit, designed to help accountants and tax professionals manage even the most complex business and individual returns. It offers advanced calculation tools, extensive form coverage, and powerful automation features that reduce manual work and errors.
Lacerte also integrates with other accounting solutions, which streamlines workflows and enhances efficiency, making it a trusted choice for firms handling high-volume or specialized tax cases.
Key Features
Pricing
| Plan / Option / Return‑Type | Price or Cost Info |
|---|---|
| Pay‑per‑return (REP / Pay‑as‑you‑go) | • 1040 (Federal + 1 state): US $102 / return• Additional state (on 1040): US $92 / state return• Business / Trust / Estate (Federal + 1 state): US $140 / return • Additional business-state returns: US $92 / return |
| Entry annual pricing (per user, per year) | Some sources list a starting price of US $429/year (per user) for lighter usage. |
| Full‑license plans (unlimited or fixed-return bundles) | Lacerte offers “unlimited” or bundle‑based licenses (for many returns) — pricing for those is not publicly listed; interested users must request a quote. |
Pricing link: https://accountants.intuit.com/tax-software/lacerte/pricing/
Pros
| Competitor | Pros of Lacerte |
|---|---|
| Drake Tax | Lacerte has a more extensive form library that covers complex entity types such as estates, trusts, and nonprofits. Its advanced diagnostics also catch more potential errors, which helps professionals working with highly detailed returns. In addition, Lacerte integrates seamlessly with QuickBooks and other Intuit tools, which creates smoother workflows for firms already in the Intuit ecosystem. |
| CCH ProSystem fx | Lacerte is generally easier to learn and use, which makes it more approachable for mid-sized firms without dedicated IT staff. Its pay-per-return model also provides flexibility for smaller practices that do not need unlimited returns. Users also appreciate Intuit’s live technical support, which is considered more accessible than Wolters Kluwer’s enterprise-style support system. |
| UltraTax CS | Lacerte offers simpler onboarding and a more straightforward interface, which helps firms transition quickly without heavy training. It also provides stronger client collaboration tools with built-in portals and e-signature capabilities. Pricing flexibility through per-return options gives smaller firms more control, whereas UltraTax often requires heavier upfront commitments. |
| TaxAct Professional | Lacerte supports more complex tax scenarios, which makes it a better fit for firms that handle a wide range of clients. It offers more robust diagnostics and reporting, which reduces risks of compliance issues. Integration with QuickBooks also strengthens its value for accounting firms that want a connected ecosystem. |
Cons
| Competitor | Cons of Lacerte |
|---|---|
| Drake Tax | Lacerte is significantly more expensive, which creates challenges for smaller firms that need a cost-effective solution. Drake users often mention faster processing speed, which can be an advantage during tax season. Lacerte also has a steeper learning curve compared to Drake’s straightforward interface. |
| CCH ProSystem fx | ProSystem fx offers deeper customization and more advanced audit and compliance tools, which makes it better suited for very large firms. It also provides stronger integration with large-scale document management and research tools. Lacerte, while powerful, is not as feature-rich for firms handling multinational or highly specialized corporate returns. |
| UltraTax CS | UltraTax provides stronger cloud-hosted solutions through Thomson Reuters’ CS Professional Suite, which gives firms more flexibility with remote access. It also offers more detailed data analysis and customizable reporting. Lacerte’s hosting features are available but require extra configuration and costs. |
| TaxAct Professional | TaxAct is far more affordable, which makes it attractive for small practices or solo preparers. It also offers a simpler interface that requires less training. While Lacerte is feature-rich, its higher price can be hard to justify for firms that only handle basic or moderate returns. |
Reviews
- Capterra Review (Rating: 4.3/5): It delivers lots of “amazing features” and works well overall for preparing returns, though a few glitches still need ironing out.
- G2 Review (Rating: 4.3/5): Lacerte helps firms complete more returns with ease thanks to logically organized tabs that mirror the tax workflow and customizable columns that show all clients at once. Over 25,000 built-in diagnostics and on-screen critical alerts at the top help catch issues before e-filing, and tools like SmartMap in the Trial Balance Utility reduce manual data entry errors.
- Gartner Review (Rating: 5/5): One critical review called Lacerte Tax “capable but needlessly complex for simple tax help tasks,” pointing to poor help functionality and unclear navigation between tabs despite its broad feature set.
- verito.com Review: Reviews highlighted comprehensive tax preparation functionalities, a user-friendly interface, and a robust tax form library, along with responsive customer support. Some also noted strong data import/export features and advanced tax calculation capabilities.
- Software Advice Review: Lacerte earns praise for ease of use and handling a wide range of tax types with built-in diagnostics that reduce filing errors, and one small firm called it “Best for Small Businesses! 10 out of 10.” Others criticized 30–45 minute support wait times, a broken “Lacerte tool hub,” database corruption issues, and add-ons that drive up costs.
