Sure-Fire Tax Software
Sure-Fire Tax Software provides professional tax preparation tools for tax preparers and tax offices, with web, Windows, and macOS access.
What Sure-Fire Tax Software is
Sure-Fire Tax Software provides professional tax preparation tools for tax preparers and tax offices, with web, Windows, and macOS access. Plans cover the current three tax years and include federal and state 1040 forms; web versions also include 1120-S and 1065 corporate returns. Professional includes the listed corporate forms with desktop installation. The software supports federal e-filing and prior-year import, with real-time calculation updates and diagnostic error checking. Professional adds interview mode and “What if?” scenarios. Its client portal handles document uploads, appointment scheduling, text messaging, and electronic signatures. The web portal works in a browser on any device, and the maker says it makes automatic daily cloud backups. Desktop returns are encrypted before backup to secure web servers. Pay-Per-Return is $299 signup plus $20 per e-filed return, with no annual commitment; Essentials is $679 per year and Professional is $849 per year. There is no free plan.
Good
- Federal and state 1040 forms across three current tax years
- Federal e-filing and prior-year import are supported
- Portal supports uploads, scheduling, messaging, and signatures
- Professional adds interview mode and scenario tools
Watch out
- No free plan is offered
- Pay-Per-Return charges $20 per e-filed return
- Desktop installation requires Windows 7 or higher
Who it suits
Pay-Per-Return is positioned for occasional preparers, Essentials for solo preparers and small offices, and Professional for multi-preparer firms and corporate filers.
Verdict
Sure-Fire combines tax preparation, client portal, and backup features across web and desktop options. Compare the plan’s corporate-form coverage and billing structure with your filing needs.
Plans and prices
From Sure-Fire Tax Software's own pricing page, checked 7 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Pay-Per-Return | $299, paid once | Current 3 tax years · Web portal only · All 1040 federal and state forms · 1120-S and 1065 included · No other corporate forms · $299 signup + $20 per e-filed return; no annual commitment |
| Essentials | $679 a year | Current 3 tax years · Unlimited 1040 e-filing · Unlimited networked computers · Other corporate forms $45 each · Web includes 3 preparers · $679/year |
| Professional | $849 a year | Current 3 tax years · Unlimited e-filing for all form types · Unlimited networked computers · Web includes 10 preparers · All listed corporate forms included with desktop install · $849/year |
The facts
Each one read from Sure-Fire Tax Software's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Backup
- The maker says the web version performs automatic daily cloud backups and that desktop returns are encrypted before being sent to its secure web servers for backup.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Bank products
- Listed bank product providers include Santa Barbara TPG, Refund Advantage, Republic Bank, and River City.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Client portal
- The client portal supports document uploads, appointment scheduling, text messaging, and electronic signatures.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Desktop requirements
- The desktop install requires Windows 7 or higher, a 2.8 GHz processor, and 2 GB of memory.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- Sure-Fire lists bank product integration and client portal integration via StayPaperless.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Privacy and security
- The privacy policy says sensitive information submitted through the website is protected with SSL encryption and stored information is accessible only by designated staff.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Product
- Sure-Fire offers professional tax preparation software for tax preparers and tax offices.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Support
- The maker says technical support staff are available year-round and publishes seasonal support hours and a one-business-day response target for contact submissions.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Tax forms
- Plans include current 3 tax years and 1040 federal and state forms; web versions include 1120-S and 1065 corporate returns.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Tax preparation tools
- The software offers real-time calculation updates and diagnostic error checking, and Professional adds interview mode and “What if?” scenarios.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Web access
- The web portal can be accessed from a browser on any device and is described as Apple/Mac compatible.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Who it serves
- The maker positions Pay-Per-Return for occasional preparers, Essentials for solo preparers and small offices, and Professional for multi-preparer firms and corporate filers.checked 7 Oct 2026
The company
- Company history
- Sure-Fire says it has served customers since 2008 and describes itself as a software provider and service bureau rather than the software manufacturer.checked 7 Oct 2026
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