File within 48 hours of approval.
Simple W-2: $400–$600
Complex returns: (business, rentals, investments) $800–$1,500+
Honest disclosure: when this isn’t the right fit
If you file under 12 returns a year, pay-per-return pricing from Drake or TaxAct will probably be cheaper than $649. We’d rather tell you that than sell you a license you don’t need.
Above 12 returns, the math runs in your favor — and keeps running. There is no per-return cap on the seasonal license. File 50, 100, 200, 500 returns — the platform fee stays $649. The more volume you bring, the better the per-return economics work for you.
TaxOwl Pro is built for any independent preparer who wants flat pricing, included bank products, and a curated software setup — whether you file 15 returns or 500.
TaxOwl Pro is rolling out to the first 50 independent preparers at $649/season. After that cohort is filled, the rate moves to $699/season for the next season and beyond. No countdown, no manufactured scarcity — when the remaining 49 spots are claimed, the price updates. You can check current founding-member availability on the application page before you apply.
TaxOwl Pro was built by someone who’s spent nearly two decades running tax returns and watching independent preparers hand $1,500–$2,500/year to their own software stack plus revenue-share on bank products. That math is backward.
So we built a different business model on top of a filing engine preparers already trust — the IRS-authorized tax platform and 4,300+ form library tax pros have used for years — combined with a flat $649 seasonal license, bank products enabled from day one, and account support with a live platform desk for real-time issues. No monthly fees. No percentage cuts on your prep fees. The economics work for independent preparers, because they were designed by one.
Transform the way you prepare returns with a platform built for speed, accuracy, and real revenue growth. TaxOwl Pro combines professional-grade tools with an intuitive experience that helps you work smarter — not harder. A seamless cloud-based system you can access from anywhere.
A guided tour of the preparer interface, client portal setup, bank-product enrollment, and the full return-filing workflow — from client intake to e-file acknowledgement.
Want the demo as soon as it goes live?
Drop your email and we’ll send you the walkthrough link the day we post it. No spam, no sales call — just the video.
Request the demo →The Hub is your year-round operator workspace — not a sales page. Log in once, work from one screen.
Structured training that walks you from setup to filing your first returns. Built for preparers who are new to the platform.
Direct links to every state’s “Where’s My Refund” lookup, organized so you’re never hunting Google for a client call.
One-click access to the IRS lookups preparers actually use — transcripts, EIN, refund status, payment plans, identity verification.
The right IRS number for the situation in front of you — practitioner line, refund hotline, identity verification, amended returns, more.
Common forms, reference sheets, and operator checklists — curated so you’re not rebuilding from scratch every season.
A running feed of industry news and IRS updates preparers actually need — so you stay current without working for it.
The Hub lives behind your login. No extra fees, no add-ons — it’s part of the flat $649 seasonal tax software license.
Full access to professional tax-filing software for independent preparers under our flat seasonal license.
All features included. $649/season.
TaxOwl Pro Business extends your seasonal license to the most intricate filings — corporations, partnerships, trusts, and nonprofit entities — with precision and speed. Cloud-native, collaborative, and included in the same flat-pricing model.
Individual 1040 returns, unlimited federal + state, bank products included from day one.
Corporations, partnerships, trusts, nonprofits — unlimited business returns on the same flat seasonal price.
Forms 1120, 1120-S
C-corp and S-corp returns, multi-state support, M-1/M-2 reconciliation.
Form 1065 + K-1s
Partnership returns with automated K-1 generation for each partner.
Form 1041 + K-1s
Estate and trust returns with beneficiary K-1s and fiduciary accounting.
Forms 990, 990-EZ, 990-N
Nonprofit and exempt organization filings, including 990-N postcard.
Requires an active TaxOwl Pro license. The $299 Business add-on layers on top of your $649 seasonal base license. Not sold as a standalone product. Cloud-native — no desktop install required.
TaxOwl Pro is built for tax professionals who want real bureau-level economics without the usual software headaches. You get the platform, the filing capacity, and the support structure you need to operate with confidence during tax season.
No surprise charges mid-season. One price, all season long.
Scale without watching the clock. File as many as your clients need.
Built for real revenue, not just filing. Bank products ready from day one.
Platform issues go to our platform partner’s live desk. Bank issues go to our bank partner. Account questions come to us — one business-day SLA.
Designed around your business model, not a national chain’s needs.
Every preparer in TaxOwl Pro is verified. You’re operating in a clean, compliant network.
Your account stays active all year. File extensions, amendments, and planning whenever you need.
Flat seasonal price — unlimited returns, bank products enabled day one.
Founding Member Rate
After 50 members, price moves to $699/season.
No commitment until your application is approved
Tax season isn’t just 90 days. This is a year-round income system when you understand the flow.
Start early. Capture simple returns and build your base.
10–15 clients × $600/return
Gross: $6,000–$9,000
After e-file fees: $5,500–$8,250
This is where serious money is made.
20–30 clients × $800–$1,000/return
Gross: $16,000–$30,000
After e-file fees: $15,000–$28,500
Most preparers disappear here — you don’t.
5–10 extension returns × $400–$600
Gross: $2,000–$6,000
After e-file fees: $1,750–$5,500
Final deadline = last big push.
10–15 clients × $500–$700
Gross: $5,000–$10,500
After e-file fees: $4,500–$9,750
Quiet season = smart money.
3–5 amended returns × $300–$500
Gross: $900–$2,500
After e-file fees: $750–$2,250
Amounts shown are revenue after the $50-per-return e-file fee. Subtract the $649 flat seasonal fee to reach full take-home for the year.
What You’ll Realistically Make
See the full pricing comparison against Drake, ProSeries, and TaxSlayer Pro →
Earnings in tax prep depend on two numbers: how many returns you file, and what you charge. TaxOwl Pro’s flat $649 license doesn’t change the market — but it does change how much of your revenue you keep.
If you’re new to independent practice, expect 10–20 clients in your first season — enough to pay for your license several times over and build the base. If you’re an established preparer switching off a $1,500–$2,500/year software stack, the delta lands in your pocket from day one.
Net calculation: (returns × avg fee) − (returns × $50 e-file) − $649 seasonal license. Full per-return economics in the calculator below.
Most preparers only think about tax season.
The ones who understand the full cycle build real income.
| Fee component | Description | Client cost | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preparer earnings | |||
| Tax preparation fee | Set by you | $ | |
| TaxOwl fees | |||
| E-file fee | Platform access & support | $50.00 | |
| TaxOwl subtotal | $50.00 | ||
| Processing & transmission fees — deducted from client refund, not billed to you | |||
| Tech fee | Per return | $10.00 | |
| Bank product transmission fee | Refund transfers | $35.95 | |
| Remote signature fee | Per SSN | $10.00 | |
| Prior year fee | If applicable | $17.00 | |
| Processing subtotal | $55.95 | ||
| Total client cost | $705.95 | ||
Toggle fees to build your scenario. All fees deducted from client refund — no out-of-pocket cost at filing.
All fees are deducted directly from the client’s refund. Your clients pay nothing out of pocket at the time of filing.
Your earnings per return (after platform)
Client pays
Want to start your tax business without $5K in software costs
Adding tax prep to existing accounting/bookkeeping work
Currently paying $500–2K/year in software fees + 15–25% of refunds? Stop the bleed. Reclaim $3K–5K+ per season.
We ran real returns through TaxOwl Pro before opening it up. Every step is tested, automated, and client-ready.
Clients submit documents and info through the portal.
You prepare the return in the platform’s preparer interface.
One-click submission to the IRS and state revenue agencies.
Clients sign electronically — no office visit required.
Completed returns and refund updates flow to clients automatically.
Everything automated. Zero manual steps.
Tested end-to-end through real tax workflows before founding members ever saw it.
Traditional pro tax software is priced for large firms: $1,500–$2,500/year in seat licenses, add-on costs for bank products, and revenue-share arrangements that quietly carve out your bank-product margin. For an independent preparer running 20–100 returns, that structure buries the unit economics.
TaxOwl Pro licenses the underlying filing engine under a flat $649 seasonal rate and passes the economics through to you: one price, unlimited returns, bank products enabled day one, no revenue share on your prep fees. You own the client relationship. You set the price. The platform stays out of the way.
One flat seasonal price ($649). No percentage cuts on your prep fees.
That’s how independent preparers own their business.
Read more insights in The Tax Wire blog — daily updates on tax practice economics, software trends, and preparer strategies.
Fill out a short application. Tell us about your practice, your PTIN, and where you file. Takes about 3 minutes.
We review your application and confirm your PTIN and EFIN status. Most approvals happen within 24 hours.
Your account is provisioned with bank products enabled. You get access to the TaxOwl Hub — your preparer portal for training, resources, and support.
Start filing returns. Offer refund transfers. Earn more per return.
The IRS requires all paid tax preparers to hold a valid, active PTIN. TaxOwl Pro verifies PTIN status for every preparer in our network — because it protects you, your clients, and the integrity of the returns you file.
TaxOwl Pro is operated by CKT Ventures, LLC. Our team prepares and files returns ourselves.
TaxOwl Pro is an IRS Authorized e-file Provider.
You don’t start from zero. We give you the playbook.
✓ Scripts & templates for Facebook groups — Join 20+ tax prep groups actively recruiting. We give you the messaging.
✓ How to reach CPAs and referral networks — Most profitable clients come from referral sources.
✓ Pricing strategy ($400–$800 per return) — Charge enough to survive, not so much you price yourself out.
✓ Follow-up sequences — Email templates to convert prospects into clients.
Most founding members get 10–20 clients in year 1 through:
Tax prep Facebook groups
CPA referrals
Local networking
Check The Tax Wire for templates, scripts, and detailed guidance on client acquisition strategies.
TaxOwl Pro is designed for tax professionals who meet these qualifications:
✓ Active PTIN (IRS-issued)
Required by IRS for all paid tax preparers
✓ Active EFIN (E-file Authorization)
Needed to submit returns electronically
✓ Filing Experience
At least one tax season of return prep experience
Not sure if you meet all requirements? Review the qualifications above, then apply when you’re ready. We’re here to answer questions — but all preparers must hold a valid PTIN before activation.
Founding Member rate ($649) is locked in for life once you join. After 50 members, new preparers pay $699. That’s it — no other differences. Same features, same support, same everything. The only difference is price.
Spots are first-come-first-served. Once 50 members sign up and activate, new applicants are directed to the Standard rate ($699). You can see remaining spots on the homepage. If you apply now and get approved before we hit 50, you’re locked in at $649 for life.
Yes. 100%. You own the client relationship completely. They pay you directly. We never contact them, never upsell them, never take a cut. This is your business. TaxOwl Pro is just the software and infrastructure.
No. One seasonal payment ($649 or $699 per tax season). That’s it. You’re done if you want to be. No multi-year commitments, no hidden fees, no lock-in. You control your business.
Still $649 (or $699). That’s the point — you’re not paying per return or per month. Whether you file 20 returns or 200, same price. Low volume, high volume — doesn’t matter. You’re covered.
A Refund Transfer lets your clients pay your preparation fee from their refund. Your fee is deducted, and the remainder goes to your client. It removes the “I don’t have the money upfront” objection and helps you collect on every return without chasing payment.
TaxOwl Pro support routes to three layers depending on your question. Platform issues (return prep, e-file, software errors) go directly to our platform partner’s live support desk — the fastest channel during tax season. Bank-product issues (refund transfers, funding) go to our bank partner’s support team. Account and billing questions come to us at 1040@taxowlpro.com with a one business-day response SLA. Full detail on our Trust page.
Our refund policy is activation-based:
• Full refund if denied: If your PTIN/EFIN verification is denied, you receive a full refund. You never got the product, so you don’t pay.
• No refund after activation: Once your account is activated and you’re granted software access, no refunds are available. You have access to all platform features for the full tax season.
• No mid-season cancellations: There is no pro-rating or refunds for mid-season changes of mind.
This policy is fair and protects both parties. For full details, see our Terms of Service.
Yes. TaxOwl Pro supports multistate e-filing through our IRS Authorized e-file provider relationship. You can file federal returns and state returns (all 50 states) for your clients. Your EFIN is your authorization to file in all states where you’re qualified.
The founding member rate ($649/season) is only available until October 31, 2026, or until 50 members activate—whichever comes first. After that, new preparers pay $699/season. There’s no way to “get in” at the founding rate after the deadline, so apply now if you want to lock in the lower price for life.
Yes. Your TaxOwl Pro account works year-round, so you can file prior-year returns (amendments, extensions from prior seasons, etc.) whenever you need to. The flat seasonal price covers all returns you file during the calendar year—no limits on how far back you go.
We aim for next-business-day response during tax season (January–April). Our support team prepares and files returns themselves, so they understand real-world issues and can help you troubleshoot quickly. For urgent issues, email 1040@taxowlpro.com with “URGENT” in the subject line.
Join the first 50 founders at $649/season. After that, the rate moves to $699/season.
No commitment until your application is approved