Navigating the complexities of partnership tax can be a daunting task, but the right tax software can make the process significantly easier. The best tax software for Form 1065 provides features for allocating income and deductions among partners, automated calculations, integration with accounting software like QuickBooks, and a user-friendly interface.
Here are our top picks for the best partnership tax software:
- TurboTax: Best for tax pro assistance with Form 1065
- ProConnect Tax Online: Best for tax pros wanting online software
- TaxAct Professional: Best for tax pros preparing unlimited returns
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Over a decade of tax experience has made me a small business superfan. You’ll find me on the sidelines yelling “DEFENSE” (of your deductions), and “SHOW ME WHAT YOU GOT” (by April 15, please). You’ll also find me avidly ranking tax products with the zeal of a sports commentator. My goal is to help you tackle tough topics without dropping the ball.
My articles adhere to the Fit Small Business Editorial Policy—and this approach prioritizes accuracy, clarity, authority, objectivity, and accessibility. The result is practical content that is reliable, straightforward, and unbiased. Each written feature is designed to take the pain out of research so that you can focus on running your business.
See my full methodology below
Comparison of the best tax software for Form 1065
Self-prepared federal partnership return | Self-prepared state partnership return | Assisted federal partnership return | Assisted state partnership return | Full-service federal or state partnership return | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | $169 | $69 | $639 | $69 |
|
 | Included | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | |
 | $149.99 | $54.99 | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ |
Cryptocurrency support | Money-back guarantee | Free trial | Mobile app | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ✓ | ✕ | ✕ | iOS and Android |
| ✓ | 30 days from date of product release | ✓ | iOS and Android |
| ✓ | 30 days | Unlimited trial of prior year's software; no e-filing or printing capacity | ✕ |
TurboTax: Best for tax pro assistance with Form 1065
Pros
- Offers assisted or full-service preparation
- Can import income and expenses from QuickBooks Desktop
- Includes and covers audit representation at no extra cost
- Offers unlimited business returns, including Forms 1120, 1120S, and 1065, for one price
- Can import cryptocurrency transactions
Cons
- Only offers Live Assisted Business in 29 states Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wyoming
- Can be more expensive than competing tax software
- Requires an additional $69 for each state return
Pricing |
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Pay-as-you-go option | Pay only when you file for the online program, which is only for Schedule C businesses |
Supported business tax returns | Schedule C, S-corps, C-corps, and partnerships |
Maximum refund guarantee | ✕ |
Communication | Phone, live chat, one-way video conferencing |
Tax calculator | ✓ |
Accuracy guarantee | ✓ |
Deduction maximizer | ✓ |
Data import | ✓ |
Audit guidance or defense | ✓ |
Customer support channels | Telephone and in-product help |
Average user review rating | 1.1 out of 5 |
TurboTax is one of the best partnership tax return software options because it provides the option of assisted or full-service tax preparation and even includes audit representation and IRS communication on your behalf. You’ll also receive unlimited expert help, advice, and assistance with maximizing credits and deductions for your business.
Standout features
- Audit support and representation: Receive audit support and representation services, providing peace of mind in the event of an IRS audit. TurboTax guides users through the audit process, offering assistance with responding to IRS inquiries and providing representation if necessary.
- Deduction maximizer: Maximize deductions by getting help with identifying eligible expenses and credits specific to partnership returns. TurboTax’s comprehensive database of tax deductions ensures that your business will take full advantage of available tax-saving opportunities.
- Accuracy guarantee: Use TurboTax’s CompleteCheck feature, which checks for errors and omissions, ensuring accuracy. If you end up being charged a penalty or interest by the IRS or state, TurboTax will cover the fees.
- Full Service Business: Enjoy this new service, which is ideal for partnerships. Simply upload your tax documents, and you’ll be matched with dedicated business tax experts. They will keep you updated on their progress and are available year-round for advice as needed. Your expert will review your return with you before filing, ensuring that all information is accurate.
- Forms W-2 and 1099: Generate unlimited W-2 and 1099 forms for employees and contractors, which will populate the data and streamline the filing process.
Use cases
- Businesses requiring unlimited assistance from a tax expert: Get the option of assisted or full-service tax preparation and filing, removing the guesswork of preparing partnership returns. TurboTax’s tax pro is available year-round to answer your questions and provide advice.
- QuickBooks Desktop users: TurboTax integrates with QuickBooks Desktop. This streamlines the tax preparation process, as your partnerships can directly import relevant financial information without manual data entry, which will save time when preparing returns.
- Partnerships with straightforward tax situations: TurboTax guides you through the process of reporting partnership income, deductions, and allocations, ensuring accurate and compliant tax filings.
- Partnerships with limited accounting resources: TurboTax is particularly beneficial if your partnership needs assistance with its return. You can prepare your own return and save valuable time with TurboTax’s simple question-and-answer format. The software simplifies the tax process by providing a user-friendly platform and comprehensive guidance, allowing you to prepare returns with confidence.
ProConnect Tax Online: Best for tax pros wanting online software to prepare Form 1065
Pros
- Integrates with QuickBooks Online Accountant
- Provides unlimited phone and chat support
- Offers data conversion with onboarding support
Pricing | Prices include unlimited state filing:
|
Pay-as-you-go option | ✓ |
Supported business tax returns | Schedule C, S-corps, C-corps, and partnerships |
Maximum refund guarantee | ✕ |
Communication | Telephone and digital assistant |
Tax calculator | ✓ |
Accuracy guarantee | ✓ |
Deduction maximizer | ✓ |
Data import | ✓ |
Audit guidance or defense | ✓ |
Customer support channels | Telephone and in-product help |
Average user review rating | 4.3 out of 5 |
ProConnect is cloud-based, which allows users to work remotely and easily access client e-file status. It also offers e-signatures, simplifying the client’s review and signature process. While competitors like TaxAct also offer online solutions, ProConnect has a superior integration process for workflow management systems like SmartVault.
Standout features
- Tax planner: Play around with comparative tax scenarios, including making multiyear comparisons for up to three years and building multiple case scenarios. You also have the option of importing diagnostics and calculating tax liability.
- K-1 package: Get a K-1 package, wherein partnerships can produce letters, K-1 forms, K-1 state forms, and other applicable forms for each individual partner.
- Integration with other Intuit products: Seamlessly integrate with other Intuit products, such as QuickBooks and TurboTax, which allows for smooth data transfer and collaboration. This integration streamlines the tax preparation process by automatically importing client financial data and reducing potential errors.
- Document management: Upload and store documents in an online portal, with the ability to access them while you’re working on the return. You can also download forms and customize your requests for tax information, based on information from the previous year.
- Missing data review: Get flagged for missing data fields as you’re working on a return, allowing you to identify any gaps or discrepancies before you file your return. This will ultimately save you time and avoid potential errors.
Use cases
- Tax pros using QuickBooks Online Accountant: Because ProConnect integrates with QuickBooks Online Accountant, it is an easy solution that streamlines the process of preparing partnership returns for your clients.
- Tax firms handling diverse client bases: ProConnect is ideal for tax firms that serve a diverse range of clients — including individuals, small businesses, partnerships, trusts, and estates. Its comprehensive tax preparation features support various types of tax returns, enabling tax professionals to handle different scenarios efficiently.
- Tax firms prioritizing collaboration and client management: ProConnect offers an online portal for secure document exchange, client communication, and centralized client information management. This feature is beneficial for firms that emphasize collaboration with clients.
TaxAct Professional: Best for tax pros preparing unlimited partnership returns
Pros
- Offers a choice of cloud-based or downloadable programs for the same price
- Provides assistance with documents needed to file through its tax preparation checklist
- Can import trial balance from a CSV file
Cons
- Includes only one Form 1065 return in price
- Lacks personalized audit support
- Has user reviews that there’s difficulty with depreciation schedules
Pricing |
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Supported business tax returns | 1040, 1041, 1065, 1120, 1120S, and 990 |
Maximum refund guarantee | ✓ |
Communication | Telephone and email |
Tax calculator | ✕ |
Accuracy guarantee | ✓ |
Deduction maximizer | ✓ |
Data import | ✓ |
Audit guidance or defense | ✓ |
Customer support channels | Telephone and in-product help |
Average user review rating | 4.8 out of 5 |
TaxAct’s pricing allows preparers to file unlimited returns for a flat fee — and it’s the only provider on this list that offers that. For comparison, TurboTax does not advertise volume discounts for unlimited filings and ProConnect’s listed pricing doesn’t provide for unlimited filings (though ProConnect has a built-in volume discount that is tiered for specific numbers of returns).
Standout features
- Tax Tutor guidance and other useful tools: Gain insights into deductions, complex law changes, strategies, and tips. The software also includes what-if scenario tax calculators, custom client reporting, and depreciation and disposal summaries.
- Client-facing tax documents: Get client-facing tax documents that help streamline the tax preparation process. These include engagement letters, nonresident tax questionnaires, and new and returning customer tax questionnaires.
- Access to ProAdvance: Enjoy access to this online resource center that offers information and resources to enhance your practice.
Use cases
- High-volume tax preparers: Because of TaxAct Professional’s ability to prepare unlimited partnership returns within the Complete Bundle and Complete Enterprise Bundle, we selected the platform as one of the best professional tax software.
- Tax firms seeking practice management features: If you’re seeking a client portal and customizable CRM, you can integrate TaxAct Professional with TaxDome for an additional $800 per user, per year. This gives you access to several practice management features, including automated workflows, unlimited e-signatures, and a client portal.
- Tax firms looking for a high level of support: TaxAct Professional provides alerts within the platform, and it also has a strong customer support system, especially for new tax preparers. Along with offering phone and email support, you can also access help via training videos, online articles, and a setup and troubleshooting guide.
How I evaluated the best tax software for Form 1065
In the course of assessing the best tax software for partnership returns, I identified the primary needs of small businesses needing to prepare Form 1065. Business owners are very concerned with software cost and important features such as data import, audit support, document management, and the reliability of the provider’s tax experts. I then compared each platform using those metrics to provide honest recommendations.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Form 1065 is an income tax return used by partnerships to report their income, deductions, gains, losses, and other relevant information to the IRS.
You can prepare and file Form 1065 manually, but using dedicated tax software can streamline the process, help minimize errors, and ensure compliance with tax laws. Tax software often provides step-by-step guidance, automated calculations, and error checks, which saves time and effort compared with manual preparation.
It is uncommon to find completely free software specifically designed for Form 1065. Partnership tax returns tend to be more complex, requiring advanced features and support. However, some tax software providers may offer free versions or trials with limited functionality.
It depends on your business needs. If you want tax pro assistance and assisted or full-service tax preparation, TurboTax is an excellent choice, but if you have unlimited returns, I recommend TaxAct Professional. Meanwhile, I have identified ProConnect Tax Online as the best tax software for tax pros wanting online software.
Yes.
Bottom line
Choosing the right tax software to prepare your partnership return can impact the efficiency and accuracy of your Form 1065 filing. Cost, accuracy and compliance, ease of use, and additional features are the factors you should consider when selecting the best partnership tax return software for your business.