Best Small Business Tools You Don't Want to Miss

Thomson Reuters offers a suite of products and services for legal, tax, accounting, and trade professionals. Their offerings span various areas, including: **Legal:** * Business development tools like billing management, court management, legal calendaring, practice management, project & knowledge management, and workflow automation software. * Corporate & business organization tools, including business practice & procedure. * Legal forms, including legal form-building software. * Legal data & document management, encompassing data management, data-driven insights, document management, and document storage & retrieval. * Drafting software, services, and guidance, including contract services and drafting software. * Evidence management, including electronic evidence. * Financial management, including outside counsel spend. * Law firm marketing, including attracting & retaining clients and custom legal marketing services. * Legal research & guidance, including anywhere access to reference books, due diligence, and legal research technology. * Trial readiness, process & case guidance, including case management software and matter management. **Tax & Accounting:** * Audit & accounting tools, including accounting & financial management, audit workflow, disclosure, engagement compilation & review, guidance & standards, internal audit & controls, and quality control. * Data & document management, including certificate management, data management & mining, document management, and document storage & organization. * Estate planning, including estate planning & taxation and wealth management. * Financial planning & analysis, including financial reporting. * Payroll, compensation, pension & benefits, including payroll & workforce management services and healthcare plans. * Practice management & growth, including billing management, client management, cost management, practice management, and workflow management. * Professional development & education, including product training & education and professional development. * Tax planning & preparation, including financial close, income tax compliance, tax automation, tax compliance, tax planning, tax preparation, tax tools, sales & use tax, transfer pricing, and fixed asset depreciation. * Tax research & guidance, including federal tax, state & local tax, international tax, tax laws & regulations, partnership taxation, research powered by AI, specialized industry taxation, credits & incentives, and uncertain tax positions. **Trade & Supply:** * Customs & duties management, including customs law compliance & administration. * Global trade compliance & management, including global export compliance & management, global trade analysis, and denied party screening. * Product & service classification, including Harmonized Tariff System classification. * Supply chain & procurement technology, including foreign-trade zone (FTZ) management and supply chain compliance. **Risk & Fraud:** * Risk & compliance management, including regulatory compliance management. * Fraud prevention, detection & investigations, including fraud prevention technology. * Risk management & investigations, including investigation technology and document retrieval & due diligence services. **News & Media:** * Reuters provides news and media services to various sectors, including broadcasters, publishers, governments, marketers, professionals, sports media, corporate communications, health & pharma, and machine learning & AI. * Offers various content types, including video, pictures, newswires, graphics, audio, live video, events, and all content types. * Provides services like Reuters Plus - Content Studio, advertising solutions, sponsorship, and verification services. * Offers platforms like Reuters Connect, World News Express, Reuters Pictures Platform, API & Feeds, and Reuters.com Platform. * Provides media solutions like user-generated content, Reuters Ready, ready-to-publish, and archive. **Books:** * Thomson Reuters offers legal and tax books. **Developers:** * Provides APIs by industry, including legal, risk & fraud, tax & accounting, and trade & supply. * Offers use case libraries for each industry. This is a broad overview of the extensive range of products and services offered by Thomson Reuters. Specific details and pricing are available on the product pages.

Intuit offers a suite of products for accountants, including professional tax software (Lacerte, ProConnect, ProSeries), workflow add-ons (Tax Advisor, Hosting, eSignature, Protection Plus, Pay-by-Refund, Intuit Select Pro Staffing), and accounting solutions (QuickBooks Online Accountant, QuickBooks Accountant Desktop, EasyACCT). <strong>Professional Tax Software:</strong> These software options cater to different needs, from complex returns and multiple preparers (Lacerte) to cloud-based flexibility (ProConnect) and simple forms-based screens (ProSeries). <strong>Workflow Add-ons:</strong> Intuit Tax Advisor automatically creates tax plans for clients using data from ProConnect or Lacerte software. Hosting options for Lacerte and ProSeries provide cloud-based security and backups. eSignature allows secure document signing. Protection Plus safeguards clients from audits and identity theft. Pay-by-Refund offers clients the option of no upfront costs. Intuit Select Pro Staffing helps accountants build capacity and increase productivity. <strong>Accounting Solutions:</strong> QuickBooks Online Accountant and Desktop provide access to client data and tools from anywhere. EasyACCT offers a comprehensive solution for write-up, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, bank reconciliation, asset depreciation, and financial reporting. <strong>Training & Education:</strong> Intuit provides a resource center with training and education materials, articles on tax and accounting trends (Tax Pro Center), and resources for starting a tax practice. A featured webinar, "Unlocking the Value of ProConnect Tax," is also available. **Support:** Intuit offers online resources and support, including forums for Lacerte, ProConnect, and ProSeries. Contact information is available for each software. QuickBooks support resources are also linked. **Important Disclosures:** Intuit Tax Advisor has optional service terms and conditions, and pricing/access may change after January 1, 2025. QuickBooks Online Accountant is a separate product. Hosting for Lacerte and ProSeries is powered by Rightworks, with specific terms and conditions regarding backups, security, and availability. **Pricing:** None

QuickBooks offers a suite of business management tools designed to simplify work and help businesses thrive. It provides powerful tools for accounting, payroll, time tracking, and more. Users can get recommendations for their business, access free expert setup help and guidance for 30 days. QuickBooks Online offers various plans, including Simple Start, Essentials, Plus, and Advanced, catering to different business needs and sizes. These plans provide features like securely importing transactions, automating bookkeeping, accepting credit cards and bank transfers, generating reports (profit & loss, expenses, balance sheets), and capturing receipts. Advanced plans offer more comprehensive reports, inventory management, project profitability tracking, financial planning, and more. QuickBooks also integrates with various other apps to ensure seamless workflow. Live expert assistance is available for setup and bookkeeping guidance, with a free 30-day trial. Expert tax help is also available, powered by TurboTax, allowing users to seamlessly move from books to taxes and prepare their current tax year return. The service offers various features like banking with a 5% APY, invoice and payment management, tax deductions, and more. Different plans offer varying levels of user access, sales channel connections, and report customization options. QuickBooks also provides resources like tutorials, articles, and a support hub for assistance. The company offers a range of products and services, including accounting software, QuickBooks Capital, checks and supplies, QuickBooks Desktop, QuickBooks Enterprise, QuickBooks Essentials, Bookkeeper services, QuickBooks Online, QuickBooks Online Advanced, Online Payments, Payroll, Contractor Payments, Point of Sale, QuickBooks Solopreneur, Time Tracking, QuickBooks Money, and more. The company also provides various features like mobile apps, financial reporting, bill management, bookkeeping, cash flow management, direct deposit, employee timesheets, estimates, tracking expenses, inventory management, invoicing, mileage tracking, business checking accounts, QuickBooks Integrations, sales tax software, tax deductions, multiple users, and Mailchimp Integration. Intuit is a technology company, not a bank, and banking services are provided by a partner, Green Dot Bank. Money movement services are provided by Intuit Payments Inc. Detailed pricing information and terms are available on the pricing page.

TaxAct offers comprehensive tax filing services for individuals and businesses. Their platform provides various options, including online DIY filing, downloadable software, and expert assistance through Xpert Assist. For individuals, they offer different online editions: Free, Deluxe, Premier, and Self-Employed, each with increasing levels of features and functionalities. The Free edition is available to qualifying taxpayers based on income and deductions. The Deluxe edition includes additional features like homeowner deductions and childcare expenses. The Premier edition adds features for investment sales, home sales, and rental properties. The Self-Employed edition includes features for freelance, side gig, and sole proprietor income. TaxAct also provides business tax filing options, including online DIY filing and bundles for both individual and business taxes. They offer a variety of tax tools, such as calculators for income tax, self-employment tax, tax brackets, W-4, loans, and savings. Tax resources include a tax resource center, tax guides, and checklists. TaxAct provides support through various channels, including a support center, blog, and live tax advice. They also offer a refund tracking service and tools to check e-file status. TaxAct is backed by a $100,000 accuracy guarantee and a maximum refund guarantee. They offer Xpert Assist for one-on-one advice from tax experts and a quick review before filing. Live tax advice is available for an additional fee. TaxAct prioritizes data privacy and security. They provide a variety of resources and tools to help users navigate the tax process.

Drake Tax® is a feature-rich tax preparation and e-file software designed for professional tax preparers. It serves as the central hub for your practice, streamlining tax return preparation and enabling you to provide excellent service to your clients. The software offers various platforms to suit your needs, including desktop and cloud-hosted options. Drake on Desktop provides Drake Tax, Drake Accounting, and Drake Documents. Drake in the Cloud offers the same powerful features in a secure, cloud-based environment. The software also includes tools to complement your tax workflow, such as Drake Accounting (a ground-up rebuild of Drake Software's Accounting/Payroll application), Drake Portals (SecureFilePro) for secure file exchange, Drake Pay for a hassle-free payment solution, and Bank Products for optimized payment acceptance. Drake Software offers free demonstrations and webinars to introduce you to the software's features and help increase productivity, streamline workflows, and improve your business' bottom line. The company is known for its top-notch customer service and support, which is considered a key factor in their success. Drake Software is part of the Taxwell company.

TurboTax offers various services for preparing personal and business taxes, ranging from do-it-yourself options with varying levels of support to full-service expert preparation. For personal taxes, users can choose from a free edition for simple returns (W-2 income, standard deductions, etc.), a deluxe edition for more complex returns (itemized deductions), and a premium edition for investors and the self-employed. TurboTax Live Assisted and Full Service options provide expert assistance throughout the tax preparation process, guiding users through the entire return. Business taxes are also supported, with options for both DIY and expert-assisted preparation. TurboTax provides a range of tax tools and resources, including calculators for tax refunds, tax brackets, withholding, self-employment expenses, and more. They also offer information on the latest tax law changes, tips, and reviews. Support is available through various channels, including help articles, community forums, refund tracking, extension filing, e-file status checking, and amending returns. TurboTax offers guarantees for accuracy, maximum refunds, and audit support, backed for the lifetime of the return. They also provide a checklist for tax preparation and highlight the ease of use and expert assistance available through their platform. The platform is available online and via mobile apps, allowing for anytime, anywhere access. E-filing and direct deposit options are available for faster refund processing. Additional features include import options for financial data from participating companies, and the ability to pay for TurboTax using your federal or state refund. TurboTax Live Full Service offers expert preparation, with the expert signing the return and providing support throughout the process. TurboTax Live Assisted provides assistance with specific tax topics or situations, and may require the expert to sign the return if the complexity warrants it. TurboTax Desktop software is also available for those who prefer a traditional software experience. Overall, TurboTax aims to simplify the tax preparation process with various options to suit different needs and levels of complexity.

Xero is accounting software designed for small businesses and sole traders. It provides a comprehensive suite of tools to manage various aspects of business finances, including paying bills, claiming expenses, connecting bank accounts, and generating invoices. Xero's features are designed to streamline accounting processes, allowing users to track cash flow, manage finances, and integrate with other applications. The software offers different pricing plans (Starter, Standard, and Premium) to cater to varying business needs. Each plan includes the essential accounting functions and offers room for growth. Xero is adaptable to various business types, including self-employed individuals, construction and trades businesses, and retail businesses. It facilitates seamless app integrations for efficient accounting processes. Xero also provides support for accountants and bookkeepers, offering tools to enhance their practice. A 30-day free trial is available to explore the software's features before committing to a subscription. The software is accessible through a user-friendly interface and offers various features, such as invoicing, payment acceptance, inventory management, payroll, and expense management. Xero also provides resources like guides, templates (invoice, payslip, receipt), a glossary, and customer stories to assist users. The platform is integrated with various apps and offers support for different business types and industries. Xero is a comprehensive accounting solution designed to help small businesses manage their finances effectively.

QuickBooks is a suite of accounting software products offered by Intuit. It provides a comprehensive set of tools for managing various aspects of a business, including accounting, payroll, time tracking, invoicing, payments, and more. The software allows users to track income and expenses, generate financial reports (like profit and loss statements, balance sheets, and more), automate bookkeeping tasks, import transactions, and connect with various other business tools and services. QuickBooks offers different plans tailored to different business needs and sizes, ranging from basic accounting tools to more advanced features like inventory management, project profitability tracking, and financial planning. These plans often include features like accepting credit cards and bank transfers, managing estimates, handling contractor payments, connecting to online sales channels, and organizing business bills. QuickBooks also integrates with other applications to streamline workflows. The software is designed to help businesses stay organized, manage finances effectively, and make informed decisions. It offers expert-assisted setup and bookkeeping guidance, as well as expert tax help through integrations with TurboTax. The software also provides features for tracking mileage, managing employee timesheets, and offers various reporting options. Different plans offer varying levels of features, including user limits, report types, and integration capabilities. QuickBooks also provides a support center with articles, tutorials, and community resources. The company offers various support options, including phone support and online resources. Intuit, the company behind QuickBooks, is not a bank, but banking services are provided by a partner institution. QuickBooks offers a variety of products, including QuickBooks Online, QuickBooks Desktop, QuickBooks Payroll, QuickBooks Time, and QuickBooks Money, each with its own features and pricing.

Halfpricesoft offers a suite of business solutions, including payroll, tax, accounting, check printing, and productivity software. Their products cater to both small businesses and accountants, providing tools for tasks such as calculating payroll taxes, printing paychecks and other checks, managing employee time tracking, creating and filing tax forms (W2, 1099, 1095), and handling accounting functions like tracking costs and income. They offer both desktop and online solutions, with options for Windows and Mac. Key features include unlimited company accounts, employee paychecks, check printing, and tax form generation. The company emphasizes user-friendliness, ease of use, and support for businesses of all sizes. They provide free trials with no credit card required, and offer various guides and resources to assist users. Halfpricesoft's products are designed to streamline business management, saving time and money.

OnlineCheckWriter.com (OnlineCheckWriter or OCW) and Zil.us are platforms for products and services provided by Zil Money Corporation. Zil Money is a financial technology company, not a bank. However, we provide banking services through our partnership with FDIC-insured reputable banking and financial institutions, including Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and Texas National Bank. OnlineCheckWriter is a B2B payment platform offering a cost-effective solution for businesses managing account payables and receivables. It allows businesses to pay or get paid through various methods including printing checks yourself, mailing checks, eChecks, ACH, wire transfers, wallet-to-wallet transfers, QR code payments, check drafts, and payment links. The platform simplifies payments, streamlines transactions, ensures timely payments, and provides robust encryption for data security. Its user-friendly interface enhances overall satisfaction for both businesses and clients. The platform integrates with leading accounting platforms, simplifying bookkeeping and taxes. Businesses can pay vendors with credit cards even if they don't accept them, receiving payment with zero processing fees. The platform also offers features for managing business finances and expenses, including online banking, sending and receiving payments, and managing cards. Utilities such as a digital wallet, positive pay, business tools, user access, integration, virtual card API, and document mailing are also available. Third-party app integrations are available, including QuickBooks Online, QuickBooks Desktop, Zoho Books, and Zoho Payroll. The platform is available through a mobile app, offering a truly mobile experience while retaining all web features and functions. The platform is trusted by millions of users, with thousands of new customers joining weekly and tens of thousands of transactions processed weekly.

TaxSlayer Pro helps tax preparers file individual and business tax returns for their clients. It offers cloud-based (TaxSlayer Pro Web) and desktop-based (TaxSlayer Pro Premium, TaxSlayer Pro Classic) options. The software is designed for professional tax preparation, allowing preparers to file 1040 federal, state, and local tax returns. It includes features like unlimited support in English and Spanish, a TaxesToGo® mobile app for client communication, integrated bank products for faster client refunds and payment, and a client portal. TaxSlayer Pro is known for its reliability, talented support team, and integrated bank products. The company has been in operation for over 55 years, starting as a family-owned tax prep business. TaxSlayer Pro is ranked #1 for customer service and technical support in the NATP Survey. The software is compatible with iOS and Mac, and offers a paperless office experience. The company provides various resources, including training, seminars, and partnerships with other tax-related products and services. They offer a refund calculator, tax reform updates, and resources for becoming a tax preparer.