How Soraban Fits in With Your Existing Tax Software?
Accounting firms rely on multiple tools to get through tax season, and adding another system can feel risky. Soraban works directly with UltraTax CS, Lacerte, Drake, and CCH Axcess, handling intake, data extraction, and delivery while keeping your existing tax software at the center of your workflow.
Many so-called tax workflow tools still require manual exports, CSV uploads, or duplicate work. Soraban connects to your software directly, automating everything before and after return preparation so your data flows without extra steps or disruptions.
How Soraban works with tax software
Soraban's three products fit around your existing tax software to handle intake, data extraction, and delivery without changing how preparers work.
How these tools actually work together
Soraban's workflow is built around three core products that handle distinct stages of tax client intake and delivery:
- Collect – Sends personalized, secure intake links, adapts questionnaires to each client's prior-year data, and gathers documents without manual follow-up
- Connect – Uses AI to read forms (W-2s, 1099s, K-1s) with 95 to 100% accuracy, categorizes and validates documents, and maps data directly to your tax software
- Deliver – Automatically assembles return packets, applies signature fields, and handles payment processing in a single secure link
Your existing tax software continues to manage return preparation. Connect moves extracted data straight into your system with no CSVs or manual typing, and preparers receive organized workpapers in their familiar environment, ready for review.
Tax software supported: UltraTax, Lacerte, Drake & CCH Axcess
Supported platforms:
- UltraTax CS: Thomson Reuters’ flagship tax preparation software, widely used by established firms that prioritize depth, accuracy, and control. It’s known for handling complex returns and high volumes, especially in firms with more traditional, desktop-based workflows.
Where it shines is in preparation and compliance. Where firms feel friction is everything around it. Collecting documents, organizing files, and getting complete client data into UltraTax still relies heavily on admins, emails, and manual follow-up.
- CCH Axcess: A cloud-based tax platform built for larger firms that need scalability, collaboration, and centralized access across teams. It’s often paired with other CCH tools, creating a “suite” environment for firms that want everything under one roof.
It gives firms strong visibility and control at the system level. But even with that, intake, document collection, and client communication often live outside the platform or require additional tools.
- Lacerte: Part of Intuit’s ecosystem, is a go-to for firms that want a balance of power and usability. It handles complex returns while still being approachable for teams that don’t want overly rigid systems.
It’s especially popular with mid-sized firms that need reliability without the overhead of enterprise-level setups.
- Drake: Known for being cost-effective, fast, and straightforward. It’s a strong fit for smaller firms or high-volume shops that value speed and simplicity over deep customization.
It gets returns done quickly. But because it’s more limited in features, firms often rely on additional tools, manual processes, or extra admin work to handle intake, document organization, and delivery.
Automated tax workflow: From client intake to data entry
Individual 1040 return workflow
A client uploads W-2s, 1099s, and a mortgage statement through a Collect Questionnaire. Once documents arrive, Connect reads the forms and extracts the relevant fields. An admin reviews the results in a few minutes and exports the data into the firm's tax software.
The preparer opens the return with documents already attached and fields filled in. After the return is completed, the admin sends it via Deliver, and the client receives a single link to review, sign, and pay. Signed returns and payment confirmation are automatically saved to the firm's system.
There's no chasing missing documents, no re-keying form data, and no manual packet assembly. Each step moves forward without waiting on the previous one.
Planning your implementation
Implementation works best when it follows the way your firm already operates. Soraban's onboarding is structured to get intake, extraction, and delivery running smoothly without disrupting active returns or forcing workflow changes midstream.
What's included in onboarding
The 30-day white-glove onboarding process focuses on setting up Collect, Connect, and Deliver in a way that mirrors how your firm already works. Admins receive hands-on training, tax software connections are configured and tested, and workflows are adjusted to match your existing processes.
The one-time onboarding fee ($1,000 to $4,500) covers full setup and support. Onboarding is available year-round, so firms can implement outside of peak season or prepare well ahead of the next filing cycle.
Getting your client data into Soraban
During onboarding, you share basic client information such as names, contact details, and prior-year tax context. Collect uses this data to tailor questionnaires automatically, asking only questions that apply to each client's situation.
This can be done through a backup file of your tax software or through other prior year data for your clients.
For example, clients with rental activity receive Schedule E prompts, while others do not. Your historical client files remain in your tax software. There's no need to migrate past documents or restructure existing records.
I’m not a fan of my current tax organizer, but clients still ask for it, so I send it out even though many clients don’t bother filling it out.
I don't want people to feel like they're having to do their own return.
Frequently asked questions:
1) Does Soraban replace my tax software?
No. Soraban handles client intake, document reading, and return delivery through Collect, Connect, and Deliver. Your tax software remains where returns are prepared. Connect sends verified data directly into your system, so preparers keep working exactly where they always have.
2) Which tax software platforms does Soraban work with?
Soraban works directly with UltraTax CS, Lacerte, Drake, and CCH Axcess. Data exports from Connect populate returns automatically, with source documents attached. Setup is included during onboarding. If you use another platform, the team can review compatibility options.
3) Do my tax preparers need to learn a new system?
No. Admin staff use Soraban for intake, data review, and delivery. Preparers stay entirely in your existing tax software. They receive organized workpapers and populated fields, which reduces manual entry without changing how they prepare returns.
4) What happens when my tax software updates to a new version?
Soraban maintains updates as tax software updates are released. Connections don't require annual reconfiguration. Integrations are tested ahead of tax season, and any changes are communicated clearly. There are no extra fees for keeping integrations current.
5) How does data security work when Soraban connects to my tax software?
Soraban is SOC 2 Type II compliant. All data is encrypted in transit and at rest, with role-based access controls and multi-factor authentication. Full audit logs track document activity and data movement to support firm security and compliance requirements.
6) Can I use Soraban if I'm already mid-season?
Yes. Soraban supports year-round onboarding. Setup takes about 30 days and includes training, integration setup, and workflow testing. Many firms onboard during slower months to support extensions or prepare for the next filing season without disrupting active work.
7) What if a client uploads the wrong documents or files are incomplete?
Collect tracks document status in real time and flags missing or incorrect uploads. Automated email and SMS reminders prompt clients to submit what's needed. Admins see exactly what's outstanding, and Connect identifies documents as soon as they arrive.
8) How accurate is the AI data extraction?
Connect extracts tax data with 95 to 100% accuracy on standard forms. Admins review and approve data before export, which usually takes minutes. Built-in checks flag name, SSN, and tax-year mismatches so issues are caught early.
9) Can I customize how data exports to my tax software?
Yes. During onboarding, exports are tested against your firm's tax software setup to ensure data lands in the correct fields. Workflow adjustments are handled during implementation with guidance from your Customer Success Manager.
10) What's the ROI timeline for firms using Soraban?
Most firms see ROI within their first tax season. By reducing manual admin work and increasing capacity, many process about 15% more returns with the same team. Firms handling 250+ returns annually typically recoup costs quickly.
See tax software + Soraban in action
These tools working together should simplify your workflow, not add another layer to manage. Soraban works alongside your existing tax software, handling intake, data extraction, and delivery while preparation stays exactly where it belongs.
In a live demo, you'll see how documents move from client upload to review-ready returns, with no CSVs, no rekeying, and no tool switching. Many firms processing 250+ returns see payback within the first tax season, simply by removing admin drag.
Join a weekly live demo at soraban.com, or contact sales@soraban.com to talk through your current setup.