intuit launches saas-based tax prep product “proline”

proline tax online edition available to tax professionals in early september

tax professionals can sign up in advance at http://accountant.intuit.com/pto to receive an alert when the program officially begins. pricing: free, for now.

via intuit:

mountain view, calif. and rosemont, ill. – aug. 26, 2009 – intuit inc. (nasdaq: intu) announced its new prolinetm tax online edition, a program for tax professionals that is free for a limited time. proline tax online is an innovative, software-as-a-service tax solution designed to help professionals quickly and easily prepare and file federal and state tax returns.

the company announced the free program at the 29th annual midwest accounting & finance showcase in suburban chicago.

starting today, tax professionals can register at http://accountant.intuit.com/pto to use the product when it is scheduled for release in early september. during the free trial period, tax professionals can experience how easy and fast it is to file federal and california and arizona tax forms with proline tax online. subsequent versions will include additional federal forms, expanded states, and other features that reinvent the way accounting professionals prepare and file taxes.

“tax professionals are increasingly turning to online, software-as-a-service products for secure, affordable web-based solutions that are available anytime, anywhere,” said jill ward, senior vice president and general manager of the intuit accounting professionals division. “this new, professional tax solution adds to the growing number of saas-based products and services intuit offers across many of our businesses.”

how proline tax online edition works

proline tax online features a breakthrough, single-screen data entry process that streamlines the workflow and makes it easier and faster to prepare and file tax returns. with its simple, visual three-step process – input, review and file – and its extensive diagnostics to uncover mistakes or omissions, proline tax online allows accountants to complete and file returns with confidence.

proline tax online requires only a computer and an internet connection for access anytime, anywhere. there are no upfront licensing fees, software add-on requirements or downloads. developed by intuit, which processes more than 35 percent of the e-filed returns in the united states, proline tax online uses the latest encryption standards and is protected by firewall-protected web servers and password-protected web sites.