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Sure-Fire Tax Software

What Sure-Fire Tax Software is
Sure-Fire Tax Software is professional tax preparation software for tax preparers and tax offices, available through the web and on Windows and macOS. Its plans cover the current three tax years and include federal and state 1040 forms. The web versions also include 1120-S and 1065 returns, while the Professional desktop plan includes all listed corporate forms. Federal e-filing and prior-year import are supported. Preparation tools include real-time calculation updates and diagnostic error checking; Professional adds interview mode and “What if?” scenarios. The client portal supports document uploads, appointment scheduling, text messaging, and electronic signatures. Sure-Fire also lists bank product integrations with Santa Barbara TPG, Refund Advantage, Republic Bank, and River City, plus client portal integration through StayPaperless. The web version can be accessed in a browser on any device and provides automatic daily cloud backups. Desktop returns are encrypted before being sent to secure web servers for backup. Plans start with Pay-Per-Return at $299, paid once, with a $299 signup fee and $20 per e-filed return. Essentials costs $679 a year, and Professional costs $849 a year. Sure-Fire says it has served customers since 2008 and operates as a software provider and service bureau.
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. It suits tax offices that need federal e-filing, prior-year import, and access to a client portal.
What it does well
- Supports federal e-file and prior-year import.
- Includes the current three tax years and 1040 federal and state forms.
- Client portal includes uploads, scheduling, messaging, and e-signatures.
- Web access works in a browser on any device.
- Professional adds interview mode and “What if?” scenarios.
What to know first
- There is no free plan.
- Pay-Per-Return charges $20 per e-filed return after the $299 signup fee.
- Essentials charges $45 for each other corporate form.
Limits
Pay-Per-Return includes the current three tax years and 1040 federal and state forms, with 1120-S and 1065 included; it excludes other corporate forms. It costs $299 at signup plus $20 per e-filed return. Essentials charges $45 per other corporate form; Professional includes all listed corporate forms with desktop install.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Pay-Per-Return | $299 signup + $20 per e-filed return; no annual commitment · Current 3 tax years · Web portal only · All 1040 federal and state forms · 1120-S and 1065 included · No other corporate forms | $299, paid once |
| Essentials | $679/year · Current 3 tax years · Unlimited 1040 e-filing · Unlimited networked computers · Other corporate forms $45 each · Web includes 3 preparers | $679 a year |
| Professional | $849/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 a year |
As surefiretaxsoftware.com lists them, read 7 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Visit the Sure-Fire website.
- Choose Pay-Per-Return, Essentials, or Professional based on your practice and filing needs.
- For web access, use the browser portal; it is described as accessible from any device.
- For desktop installation, use Windows 7 or higher with a 2.8 GHz processor and 2 GB of memory.
- Use the client portal for document uploads, appointments, messages, and electronic signatures.
Verdict
Choose Sure-Fire if you prepare returns professionally and want a plan matched to occasional, solo, or multi-preparer work. The web versions include 1120-S and 1065 returns, while Professional adds tools for interviews and scenario analysis. Consider the plan charges and per-return or corporate-form fees when deciding which option fits your filing mix.
Questions
How much does Sure-Fire cost?
Pay-Per-Return is $299, paid once, billed as $299 signup plus $20 per e-filed return. Essentials is $679 a year and Professional is $849 a year.
Is there a free plan?
No. The listed plans are paid.
Which platforms does Sure-Fire support?
It is available on the web, Windows, and macOS. The web portal is described as accessible from a browser on any device.
Can it handle business tax returns?
The web versions include 1120-S and 1065 corporate returns. Professional includes all listed corporate forms with desktop install; other corporate forms cost $45 each on Essentials.
Does it integrate with bank products?
Listed providers are Santa Barbara TPG, Refund Advantage, Republic Bank, and River City. Sure-Fire also lists client portal integration through StayPaperless.
Who provides Sure-Fire?
Sure-Fire says it has served customers since 2008 and describes itself as a software provider and service bureau rather than the software manufacturer.
Facts from Sure-Fire Tax Software's own pages
- 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. · surefiretaxsoftware.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Bank products
- Listed bank product providers include Santa Barbara TPG, Refund Advantage, Republic Bank, and River City. · surefiretaxsoftware.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Client portal
- The client portal supports document uploads, appointment scheduling, text messaging, and electronic signatures. · surefiretaxsoftware.com, 7 Oct 2026
- 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. · surefiretaxsoftware.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Desktop requirements
- The desktop install requires Windows 7 or higher, a 2.8 GHz processor, and 2 GB of memory. · surefiretaxsoftware.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- Sure-Fire lists bank product integration and client portal integration via StayPaperless. · surefiretaxsoftware.com, 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. · surefiretaxsoftware.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Product
- Sure-Fire offers professional tax preparation software for tax preparers and tax offices. · surefiretaxsoftware.com, 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. · surefiretaxsoftware.com, 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. · surefiretaxsoftware.com, 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. · surefiretaxsoftware.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Web access
- The web portal can be accessed from a browser on any device and is described as Apple/Mac compatible. · surefiretaxsoftware.com, 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. · surefiretaxsoftware.com, 7 Oct 2026
Where Sure-Fire Tax Software stands on Freedom251
- Small Business Tax Software#17 of 30