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RCS — TaxSlayer Pro

888-420-1040 www.taxslayerpro.com

From the April/May 2008 Review
of Tax Compliance Suites

The TaxSlayer Pro preparation system from Rhodes Computer Services provides
a full complement of compliance tools that supports all entities with annual
income reporting requirements, including individual, 1120, 1120S, 1065, 1041,
990 and 5500. The system provides all federal and state forms, and offers built-in
depreciation, checkwriting, unlimited e-filing and networking capabilities.
RCS also offers a tax office marketing system, plus add-on programs for paperless
document management and client bookkeeping, and options that enable the practice
to provide clients with financial and investment planning, insurance products
and mortgage solutions without the professionals requiring additional licensing.
Tax-Slayer Pro is offered as an all-inclusive package with all of the above
entities, states and other features priced at $995. The program can be used
by all preparers within an office at no additional cost. The company’s
document management solution, Paper Cut, costs $149 (minus a current discount
of $100); TaxSlayer Books, the client bookkeeping program with payroll, 1099
and W-2 options, starts at $99. RCS has been offering tax preparation software,
services and bureau options for more than 40 years.

General Operations/ Ease-of-Use — 4.5 Stars
TaxSlayer Pro guides the user through initial setup of firm information, including
rate structures that can be based on flat-fee charges depending upon the form
or service, or based on hourly billing increments. All of the program’s
menus, including the primary interface menu, provide both graphical icon-based
(point-and-click) options and heads-down numerical key-based selection, allowing
users to keep their hands on their keyboard and 10-key as much as possible,
instead of the mouse. TaxSlayer Pro opens to a very crisp and uncluttered environment
that provides icons across the top of the screen for accessing the Client Status
and Help Centers, a pop-up calculator, the Appointment Scheduler utility and
other features. A master menu in the center of the screen offers access to primary
functions for working with client returns, using e-file functions, the report
center and accessing Help options. Additional numerical options are available
for revisiting system configurations and defaults.

When accessing returns, TaxSlayer first displays a master client selection
list, with sortable columns for SSN, name, contact data, preparer, return status,
refund/due amount and additional data, while also allowing users to search by
last name or SSN. Within a client return, the program opens a multi-paneled
interface that is centered around interview-style data-entry sheets, with a
numerical text menu on the left that gives access to specific data-entry areas
such as income, adjustments, deductions, credits and the client’s state
returns. An additional Forms menu, also on the left, eases searching and selection
of specific forms, while also offering a tab to display completed client forms.
A Diagnostic Warnings panel is housed at the bottom of the screen, alerting
users to potential errors, missing data or other problems.

Workflow & Productivity Tools — 4 Stars
TaxSlayer Pro maintains very intuitive menu structures and navigation throughout
data entry and other functions, helping streamline workflow processes. During
data entry, all calculations are automatically processed and distributed throughout
the client’s return and associated forms and worksheets, and the system
offers drilldown access to transferred or calculated information. Notes can
be added to client returns but are not field-specific. Basic data information
sheets include some smart field features, including a built-in ZIP Code database
that fills in the city and state. Preparers can quickly preview a view-only
copy of the client return at any time using an icon in the toolbar. Likewise,
full IRS form instructions are available from the toolbar, or via a right-click
menu that also gives the ability to jump to the appointment function, Message
Center, publications menu, reject codes and other areas of the program.

The system has been “beefed up” over the past few years, with the
addition of the full-time diagnostics system and reject code lookups, along
with an asset depreciation module, multi-state capabilities, the form view option,
smart data-entry functions, new Help features, built-in backup functions and
the Client Status Center (which provides a tabbed window for viewing client
summary data, as well as their state and federal acknowledgements, bank loan
products, printed checks related to the client and notes). The Appointment Scheduler,
added last year, provides both calendaring functions and time tracking, with
multiple views of individual preparer’s engagements and other tasks. It
can be used in conjunction with TaxSlayer’s built-in billing and invoicing
utility, while the program also offers customizable client letter templates
and the ability to print mailing labels and client lists. The recently introduced
Paper Cut document management system is also a valuable component (and it’s
a great name for a paperless office system). Practices also have access to pre-produced
television and radio commercials and newspaper ads, which can be customized
to promote the firm.

Integration/ Import & Export — 3 Stars
TaxSlayer Pro offers import functions from the company’s client bookkeeping
solution, TaxSlayer Books, and includes an integrated depreciation system, but
data is not shared between the individual and business compliance modules of
the program, and import from spreadsheets or Excel is not offered. With the
addition of the document management option, returns can be output to PDF format.

Support/Training & Help System — 4 Stars
TaxSlayer comes with a printed user manual and “quick start guide,”
and the on-board Help utilities keep assistance generally one click away via
several right-click menu options and the system’s Help utility. TaxSlayer’s
Online Help Center provides a large collection of tips, How-Do-I’s and
FAQs, along with articles focused on program use and tax code change. A separate
Support Center provides contact points at the company, downloadable program
updates, tutorial videos and access to the TaxSlayer Community Message Board.
Phone support is included in the price.

Relative Value — 4 Stars
TaxSlayer Pro is a cost-effective system for firms that provide mostly 1040
compliance services, with great bank product and marketing support. The recent
addition of the appointment scheduling function, document management and client
status center provide for greater workflow management, especially for smaller
practices. The program is very easy to learn and can be used by all preparers
in the same office at no extra charge, making it a good fit for firms that add
temporary preparer staff during tax season.


2008 Overall Rating: 4 Stars