Another reason why I will not renew my subscription with Intuit for ProSeries tax software

ProSeries Tax Software

I am very unhappy with ProSeries Tax Software

Since 2009 I have been using Intuit’s ProSeries as my taxpreparer’s software program; however, I have been very dissatisfied with the quality of this product and will be changing my tax software vendor for the tax year 2014 even though it will entail considerable work on my part to convert all of my existing client data to a new tax program as well as become familiar with another tax software program.

I have conveyed a number of complaints to Intuit about the quality of its product.  And I even contacted the office of Brad Smith, the CEO of Intuit.  Unfortunately I have not received any satisfaction from those communications.

The latest issue that I discovered with ProSeries concerns the processing of Form 4592, Part V, Section B for a Schedule C client.  If all of the vehicles of a client are used exclusively for business and not at all for personal purposes, then it is unnecessary to track and report business mileage for those vehicles in Section B of Part V of Form 4592.

Neverthess ProSeries generates an error message if one does not enter business mileage even when it is unnecessary to disclose such.  I just called a ProSeries support representative who informed me that error messages would be generated by ProSeries if business and total mileages is not entered for a vehicle even though 100% business usage is entered by one.  But if one enters mileage, even though all questions determining business usage in Section C of Form 4592 are checked affirmatively, obviating the necessity of completing Section B, those mileages are still reported in Section B by ProSeries.

This is a serious software glitch in my opinion as a taxpreparer.  If information is not required to be reported by the IRS, then clients should not be required to volunteer such information.  No one wishes to run the unnecessary risk of committing perjury and fraud by entering incorrect business mileages instead of the actual business mileages.

Previously I have posted a number of concerns that I have about the quality of Intuit’s products and services.  I hope this post helps other Certified Public Accountants, accountants, taxpreparers, and bookkeepers, in the evaluation of their software needs for their tax, accounting, and bookkeeping services.

Sincerely,

William Brighenti, CPA

About William Brighenti

William Brighenti is a Certified Public Accountant, Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor, and Certified Business Valuation Analyst. Bill began his career in public accounting in 1979. Since then he has worked at various public accounting firms throughout Connecticut. Bill received a Master of Science in Professional Accounting degree from the University of Hartford, after attending the University of Connecticut and Central Connecticut State University for his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees. He subsequently attended Purdue University for doctoral studies in Accounting and Quantitative Methods in Business. Bill has instructed graduate and undergraduate courses in Accounting, Auditing, and other subjects at the University of Hartford, Central Connecticut State University, Hartford State Technical College, and Purdue University. He also taught GMAT and CPA Exam Review Classes at the Stanley H. Kaplan Educational Center and at Person-Wolinsky, and is certified to teach trade-related subjects at Connecticut Vocational Technical Schools. His articles on tax and accounting have been published in several professional journals throughout the country as well as on several accounting websites. William was born and raised in New Britain, Connecticut, and served on the City's Board of Finance and Taxation as well as its City Plan Commission. In addition to the blog, Accounting and Taxes Simplified, Bill writes a blog, "The Barefoot Accountant", for the Accounting Web, a Sift Media publication.
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6 Responses to Another reason why I will not renew my subscription with Intuit for ProSeries tax software

  1. Diane Cleary says:

    I too have been unhappy with ProSeries. I have been using them for several years and since I changed my computer from XP to Windows 8, the visual is too blurry to work with, and they can’t find an answer. Also other issues I find are the accompanying worksheets do not print as they do in Lacerte, and there are no organizers for the corporations/partnership returns which my clients have been asking for years. There are many other issues I have encountered, so I understand your switch over. Which software have you chosen? Thanks for your post.

    • Rick Crowley CPA says:

      In response to an old post,
      Try this:
      Right click the ProSeries icon or the .exe file then click Properties.
      Click the Compatibility tab.
      In the Settings block, check “Disable display scaling on high DPI settings”
      Click the button for “change settings for all users”.
      Click Apply
      Click OK.

      This works for most older programs running under newer Windows. Clears up the blurry screen images.

      =====================
      Diane Cleary says:
      October 3, 2014 at 3:05 pm

      I too have been unhappy with ProSeries. I have been using them for several years and since I changed my computer from XP to Windows 8, the visual is too blurry to work with, and they can’t find an answer. Also other issues I find are the accompanying worksheets do not print as they do in Lacerte, and there are no organizers for the corporations/partnership returns which my clients have been asking for years. There are many other issues I have encountered, so I understand your switch over. Which software have you chosen? Thanks for your post.
      Reply

  2. chinweike says:

    Wow, I haven’t really used Proseries, though I have advised a client that uses Intuit product but not on a full capacity.
    Will definitely be directing prospective users to this page. Please do keep this page updated if you get any feed from Intuit regarding any fix. Thanks for sharing
    Chinweike

  3. Hector Bonilla says:

    I am also completely dismayed that loyal Proseries customers are being punished for their loyalty.

    I have been using Proseries since 1990 and one of my employees just received an offer to get the same package for 25% less. I’m asked to pay $5,600 while my employee can get the same package guaranteed for $2,900.

    I’m definitely looking for something else.

  4. CJ says:

    Hello Kelsey,

    Please note I have not heard anything for my case # mentioned above on 2/15/2018.

    That is my client E-filed on 2/12/2018; there was no error before my e-file as giftware failed to do red error that is critical to fix. But invalid ERO/ EFIN synchronized issue made me to open client based on instructions. You made me to fix error but as status of my client was already e-filed on 2/12/2018. Now I need to make sure because of software pro-series basic malfunctions I should not be penalized by IRS.

    Also no response in reasonable time period is not fair in practitioner to tarnish biz name with IRS plus earning and my client’ suffering for tax credit delay etc.

    Finally need answer immediately as I don’t want to penalize for software malfunctions.

    Thanks

    C.J. Shah

  5. CJ says:

    Poor customer service; one loose whole day for simple response as their representative are poor in English and not USA based.

    Hello Kelsey,

    Please note I have not heard anything for my case # mentioned above on 2/15/2018.

    That is my client E-filed on 2/12/2018; there was no error before my e-file as giftware failed to do red error that is critical to fix. But invalid ERO/ EFIN synchronized issue made me to open client based on instructions. You made me to fix error but as status of my client was already e-filed on 2/12/2018. Now I need to make sure because of software pro-series basic malfunctions I should not be penalized by IRS.

    Also no response in reasonable time period is not fair in practitioner to tarnish biz name with IRS plus earning and my client’ suffering for tax credit delay etc.

    Finally need answer immediately as I don’t want to penalize for software malfunctions.

    Thanks

    C.J. Shah

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