Drake Software

Franklin, NC, United States  All United States companies → Founded 1977
Family Medicine General Surgery Internal Medicine
Private Equity-Backed / Late Stage — approximately $184 million (other sources state $185M or undisclosed amount)

Products

Drake Tax
Drake Software
General Productivity (AI Assistants)
Drake Tax is a professional tax preparation software offering comprehensive, IRS-compliant solutions, workflow management, secure portals, and e-signature capabilities for tax preparers serving various clients, including physicians.

See all 1 product →

About Drake Software

Drake Software is a prominent provider of professional tax preparation software and integrated practice management solutions, serving over 70,000 tax professionals nationwide. The company’s core offering, Drake Tax, is designed to streamline workflows for tax preparers, offering features such as fast calculations, extensive accuracy diagnostics, and customizable options for data entry and program settings. It supports multi-state returns, allows for effortless data management including importing electronic forms, and provides intuitive planning tools like the Drake Tax Planner to analyze various tax scenarios for clients.

Beyond tax preparation, Drake Software offers a comprehensive ecosystem of tools to enhance firm operations. This includes Drake Accounting for double-entry accounting, general ledger capabilities, financial reporting, and payroll services. Drake Portals facilitates secure document sharing and contactless tax preparation through web-based client portals. The company also provides workflow automation tools (Drake Workflow) for tracking returns and team collaboration, integrated e-signature capabilities (Drake E-Sign), and secure payment processing (Drake Pay). Drake Software has also been investing in AI-powered capabilities to automate data collection, streamline tax source document ingestion, and simplify tax review workflows. The company emphasizes strong customer support and has been consistently recognized for product excellence and value.

Focus Areas

Professional tax preparation software accounting payroll workflow automation client portals payment processing document management AI-powered tax workflow enhancements.

What Physicians Need to Know

Professional Tax Preparation Software
Drake Tax offers comprehensive federal and state tax form libraries, fast calculation results, and robust accuracy checks with hundreds of diagnostics and validation rules. It supports individual, partnership, corporate, payroll, and estate filings, and allows for multi-state returns without additional modules. Key features include effortless data management with electronic W-2, K-1, and trial balance imports, intuitive tax planning tools for scenario modeling, and organized return viewing.
Accounting
Drake Accounting provides a comprehensive suite of features including accounts receivable, accounts payable with check writing, general ledger, and financial reporting (e.g., profit/loss, balance sheets). It supports live and after-the-fact payroll, MICR check printing, direct deposit, and e-filing of quarterly and yearly employment tax forms (e.g., W-2, 1099-MISC, 940, 941, 944). The software allows for importing and exporting of employee, vendor, and customer data, sales tax information, journal entries, and charts of accounts, and can export data directly to Drake Tax.
Payroll
Drake Accounting includes a comprehensive payroll module that handles live and after-the-fact payroll, MICR check printing via Kotapay, and direct deposit. It supports e-filing of federal and state employment tax submissions and forms like W-2 and 1099-MISC. The system is flexible, accommodating multiple locations with additional benefits, deductions, and pay structures, and allows for unlimited clients, installs per site, and payroll entries.
Workflow Automation
Drake Workflow is a tax practice automation tool that integrates with Drake Tax, Drake Accounting, Drake Portals, Drake E-Sign, and Drake Pay. It provides powerful workflow visibility with automatic status updates based on activity across Drake tools, eliminating manual tracking. Tasks are automatically routed to the right team member, and a clear dashboard shows the status of all client returns. It also includes attention flags for urgent items and flexible controls like drag-and-drop status changes and task delegation.
Client Portals
Drake Portals (hosted on SecureFilePro.com) offers secure, branded client portals for document exchange, e-signatures, and client communication. It features automatic document classification, identifying and organizing client-uploaded IRS forms and supporting documents. Clients can upload multiple documents at once, complete questionnaires that import data directly into Drake Tax, and e-sign documents. The portals are mobile-friendly, include in-app messaging, and integrate with Drake Pay for online payments.
Payment Processing
Drake Pay is an integrated payment acceptance solution that allows tax professionals to process credit, debit, ACH, and contactless payments securely. It integrates seamlessly with Drake Tax and Drake Accounting, enabling in-context billing and automated invoicing and reporting. Payments typically hit bank accounts within two business days, and the system is PCI Secure Software Standard certified.
Document Management
Drake Documents functions as a digital filing cabinet for securely storing and organizing client tax returns, supporting documentation, tax forms, and communication records. It allows for scanning documents directly into the manager, password protection of PDFs, and easy attachment of files to emails or e-filings. Drake Documents integrates with Drake Portals for seamless file exchange and offers automated backup options.
AI-Powered Tax Workflow Enhancements
Drake Software is investing in AI-powered capabilities to automate data collection, streamline tax source document ingestion, and simplify tax review workflows. Recent enhancements include intelligent document classification in Drake Portals, which automatically identifies and organizes client-uploaded IRS forms and documents, reducing manual review and improving accuracy.
Physician Tip

For physicians, Drake Software's comprehensive suite can significantly streamline practice management beyond just tax preparation. The **workflow automation** (Drake Workflow) can help manage administrative tasks, track financial document collection from patients and insurance, and ensure timely processing. **Drake Accounting** offers robust payroll features for managing staff, and its bookkeeping capabilities can help track practice income and expenses, generating essential financial reports. The **client portals** (Drake Portals) provide a secure and efficient way to exchange sensitive financial documents with your tax professional, and the **AI-powered enhancements** for document classification can drastically reduce the time spent organizing medical receipts, invoices, and other financial records. The integrated **payment processing** (Drake Pay) can simplify collecting fees from patients, offering various convenient payment options. For physicians with multiple practice locations or complex income streams, the multi-state return support and tax planning tools within **Drake Tax** can be particularly beneficial for optimizing tax strategies and ensuring compliance. The strong emphasis on data security across all modules is also crucial for handling sensitive financial and patient-related information.

Drake Software operates as an integrated ecosystem, with its various products (Drake Tax, Drake Accounting, Drake Portals, Drake Workflow, Drake E-Sign, Drake Pay) designed to work together seamlessly. While primarily focused on its own suite, Drake Accounting can import and export spreadsheets with employee, vendor, and customer data, and sales tax information. Drake Software also partners with cloud hosting providers like Rightworks for cloud-based solutions, and its payment processing solution, Drake Pay, utilizes Launchpayu2122 technology. Drake Portals also offers integration with GruntWorx for data extraction.

Products by Drake Software

1 product in the directory

Drake Tax
Drake Software
General Productivity (AI Assistants)
Drake Tax is a professional tax preparation software offering comprehensive, IRS-compliant solutions, workflow management, secure portals, and e-signature capabilities for tax preparers serving various clients, including physicians.

What the Web Says

Drake Software is primarily known for its tax preparation software, Drake Tax, which is widely used by tax professionals and accounting firms. The software is generally praised for its affordability, comprehensive features, and strong customer support, particularly for simpler returns and small to medium-sized practices. However, some users find the interface clunky or dated, and its accounting software receives more negative feedback. Employer reviews indicate a mixed bag, with some highlighting a supportive environment and good benefits, while others point to high stress, long hours during tax season, and concerns about management and recent changes since the company's acquisition.

Overall: Mixed

Strengths

  • Affordable pricing, especially for unlimited federal and state returns.
  • Excellent customer service and support, with quick response times.
  • Easy to use and learn for tax preparation, with an intuitive interface.
  • Reliable and accurate software with robust features for tax preparation.
  • Good for small to medium-sized firms and simpler tax returns.
  • Integrates with other tools like GruntWorx and SecureFilePro for enhanced workflow.

Limitations

  • Interface can be clunky, dated, and less polished compared to competitors.
  • Less effective for complex returns or multi-state filings.
  • Online self-help features and knowledge base can be poor.
  • Drake Accounting software receives negative reviews and is considered subpar.
  • Some users report issues with attaching forms, importing assets, and frequent software updates.
  • Mixed employer reviews regarding work-life balance, pay, and management, with some citing a toxic or stressful environment.

Based on reviews from: Capterra, Reddit, G2, Indeed.com, Trustpilot, Gartner Peer Insights, CPA Practice Advisor

Last updated: 2026-07-02

Videos

News, demos, and interviews about Drake Software.

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Press & Coverage

PR Newswire
Drake Softwareu00ae Expands Leadership Across Tax & Firm Operations in 2026 CPA Practice Advisor Readers' Choice Awards
Drake Software received top recognition in multiple categories in the 2026 CPA Practice Advisor Readers' Choice Awards, including Federal & State Income Tax Preparation, Tax Planning, and 1099/W-2 Compliance. The company also gained momentum in workflow, payments, document management, and firm operations categories.
2026-05
PR Newswire
Drake Portals Introduces Intelligent Document Classification and Workflow Enhancements to Elevate the Taxpayer Experience
Drake Software announced significant enhancements to Drake Portals, including intelligent document classification, improved client checklists, and new integration with Drake Workflow, aiming to streamline collaboration and improve the taxpayer experience.
2026-02
PR Newswire
Drake Software Launches Drake Tax Online: Powerful, Flexible Tax Software in the Cloud
Drake Software launched Drake Tax Online, a modern, browser-based tax software designed for speed, flexibility, and powerful tools for tax professionals on the go. This cloud solution complements their desktop offering and is now available for the upcoming filing season.
2025-09
Drake Software News
Drake Software Unveils Powerful New Tax Workflow Automation Tools
Drake Software announced the launch of a new workflow automation suite, Drake Workflow, to optimize and automate tax preparer work and team collaboration across Drake Software products. This feature set aims to streamline operations and enhance team coordination.
2025-09
The Fino Partners
Drake Software Updates for 2026 | The Fino Partners
Drake Software's 2026 updates include major interface changes, automation tools, data security additions, new shortcuts, and smoother e-filing, all designed to make return preparation easier and more organized for tax professionals.
2025-12
Drake Software News
Drake Software Launches Drake Pay u2013 Payment Acceptance Solution for Tax Professionals
Drake Software released Drake Pay, a payment acceptance system for accounting professionals that integrates with Drake Software for streamlined invoicing and custom report generation.
2024-01
Tracxn
Drake Software - 2026 Company Profile, Team, Funding & Competitors - Tracxn
Drake Software, founded in 1976, is a professional tax preparation software company that has raised funding over one round. Its latest funding round was a PE round on February 5, 2021, with Cinven as an institutional investor.
2026-05
Cinven
Cinven to invest in Drake Software
International private equity firm Cinven announced a significant investment in Drake Software, a leading provider of software for tax preparers. The financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.
2021-02

Frequently Asked Questions

Drake Tax software offers comprehensive features for professional tax preparation, including federal and state forms, e-filing capabilities, and tools to streamline workflow and enhance efficiency. It provides features like fast calculation results, return diagnostics for accuracy, and customizable options for data entry and client communication. Drake also offers data management features such as importing electronic forms and carrying over client data from year to year.
Drake Accounting software provides features for managing payroll, including setting up employee payroll information, benefits, and deductions. It includes a 'Has Healthcare' checkbox in employee setup, which can be used to indicate if an employee has healthcare coverage, as some state forms may require this information. Drake Accounting also supports direct deposit for payroll checks.
Yes, Drake Software offers Drake Workflow for automation and tracking across its products, designed to help tax professionals manage tasks, track progress, and increase efficiency. It provides features like auto status updates, task delegation, and payment tracking. Additionally, Drake Documents acts as a digital filing cabinet to securely store and organize client tax returns, supporting documentation, and communication records, facilitating a paperless practice.
Drake Portals (SecureFilePro) offers a secure, branded client portal for exchanging confidential tax documents, collecting e-signatures, and streamlining client workflows. It includes features like secure file transfer with 256-bit SSL encryption, at-rest encryption for files, and automatic document classification. Drake Pay is an integrated solution for collecting client payments through the portal, accepting ACH, credit, and debit payments.
Drake Software emphasizes industry-standard security measures for its client portals, including 256-bit SSL encryption for transmissions and encryption of files at rest. Drake Hub, their integrated practice management platform, protects client data using encryption, multi-factor authentication, and secure cloud infrastructure that meets or exceeds industry standards. They also provide guidance on protecting user accounts and email accounts with strong passwords and two-factor authentication to comply with IRS requirements.
Drake Software offers various pricing structures, including flat annual licensing for unlimited returns and users, which can be cost-effective for growing practices. Options include Drake Tax Pro for diverse practices, Drake Tax 1040 for individual-focused practices, and a Pay-Per-Return model for low-volume users. They also offer a Practice Essentials Bundle that includes Drake Portals, Drake Workflow, and Drake E-Sign at a discounted rate.
Drake Software has been recognized for its customer support and reliability, with many users appreciating their responsive technical support. However, some users have reported a decline in customer service and an increase in pricing since the company was acquired by private equity. Despite these concerns, Drake Software has been established since 1977 and is relied upon by over 70,000 tax professionals.

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