Audit Defense

Post-filing support, built for tax professionals.

Connect clients with credentialed professionals who can help navigate IRS notices, state notices, audit inquiries, and tax-related identity theft issues.

Support for IRS notices, tax-related identity theft, and more.

Provide clients the professional guidance they need for post-filing issues without adding more work to your firm.

Tax notices and letters

Provide review, deadline management, documentation guidance, and recommended next steps.

Audit inquiries and examinations

Help clients understand audit inquiries, documentation requests, and how to respond throughout the resolution process.

Identity theft support

Provide assistance for tax related identity theft, including rejected returns, fraud alerts, and applicable IRS and state forms.

Integrated into your TaxAct workflow

Easily add coverage while preparing a return, and stay informed with convenient case status updates.

Choose coverage that fits your firm.

Choose the enrollment structure that best aligns with your workflow and client service model.

Designed for firms that value consistency

Practice Coverage

Services included for all individual and business return clients

$9 per Individual Return (1040)
$65 per Business Return (1041, 1065, 1120, & 1120-S)

Details:

Coverage across eligible returns
Simple administration
Streamlined enrollment

For firms that offer protection as needed

Per-return Coverage

Offer services as an add-on for individual return clients

$54.99 per Individual Returns (1040)
Option to add up to $65.00 in mark-up fees (maximum cost to taxpayer of $119.99)

Details:

Add coverage as needed
Fits individual client situations
Streamlined enrollment

Why Audit Defense?

Extend your firm's service beyond the return with trusted Audit Defense support that protects your clients and frees your team to focus on growing your business.

Reduce post-filing workload

Give clients support without creating another resolution department inside your firm.

Strengthen client relationships

Extend value beyond filing season and reinforce trust when clients need help most.

Powered by Credentialed Tax Professionals

Provide clients with guidance for post-filing tax issues while reducing the time and effort your firm spends managing cases.

Benefits for the firm and the taxpayer.

For Tax Preparers

Reduce time spent on covered post-filing notices and audits.
Differentiate your practice with a more complete service offering.
Strengthen client retention by offering support beyond filing day.
Create a clearer operational path for client resolution after tax season.

For Taxpayers

Know where to turn when tax notices or audits arise.
Get guidance for covered audit and notice situations.
Receive support for qualifying tax-related identity theft issues.
Leave the filing process with confidence after the return is accepted.

Need coverage for your 2025 returns?

You can still enroll eligible Tax Year 2025 returns through Protection Plus.

Audit defense services are provided by Drake Software for federal and state forms 1040, 1041, 1120, 1120S, and 1065 electronically or paper-filed using TaxAct Professional, subject to eligibility. Audit services may not apply to certain forms and credits. Certain exclusions or limitations may apply as determined by TaxAct or Drake Software. Audit services are not insurance. Services are subject to Terms.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Audit Defense, Powered by Drake Software?

What does Audit Defense cover?

How do I enroll in Audit Defense?

Is Audit Defense available to all TaxAct Professional customers?

If I'm enrolled in Tax Protection Plus Firm-Level Coverage for Tax Year 2025, will I automatically be enrolled for Tax Year 2026?

Can I offer Audit Defense to clients without doing the audit defense work myself?

*Details & Disclosures

Bank Product offerings: Bank Products are offered by Republic Bank & Trust Company, Member FDIC and by Santa Barbara Tax Products Group, LLC (TPG), a Green Dot Company, through Civista Bank, Member FDIC. TaxAct, Inc. gets fees from some third parties, including Republic Bank and Santa Barbara Tax Products Group, LLC (TPG), that provide offers to its customers. This compensation may affect what and how we communicate Republic Bank or Santa Barbara Tax Products Group offers to you. TaxAct is not a party to any transactions you may choose to enter into with Republic Bank or Santa Barbara Tax Products Group; does not itself offer legal, financial, or investment advice; and disclaims any liability arising out of such transactions. Please see Republic Bank and Santa Barbara Tax Products Group’s websites for full terms and conditions.

If a customer chooses direct deposit, it may take additional time after the disbursement of the funds for their financial institution to post the funds to their account.

Pay-by-Refund: Pay-by-Refund (which refers to Refund Transfers) and Cash Advances are offered by Republic Bank & Trust Company, Member FDIC, and Santa Barbara Tax Products Group, LLC (TPG), a Green Dot Company.

Pay-by-Refund offered by Republic Bank: Pay-by-Refund refers to a Refund Transfer which is a fee-based product offered by Republic Bank & Trust, Member FDIC. A Refund Transfer Fee and all other authorized amounts will be deducted from the taxpayer’s tax refund.

Pay-by-Refund offered by TPG: Pay-by-Refund offered by TPG, a Green Dot Company, are deposit products using Civista Bank, Member FDIC, that enable certain deductions from the account to be processed. Pay-by-Refunds are not loans. Tax refund and e-filing are required in order to receive Pay-by-Refund. Fees apply. Terms and conditions are subject to change without notice.

Cash Advance with Republic Bank: ERO must be enrolled for Republic Bank’s Refund Transfer (also known as Pay-by-Refund) Program to offer the Easy Advance Programs. Cost to ERO per approved Easy Advance, if any, will be deducted from ERO tax preparation fees and cannot be passed to the taxpayer. If a customer does not choose a Refund Transfer (also known as Pay-by-Refund), disbursement options are direct deposit or prepaid card. Net refund refers to the taxpayer’s expected refund amount after deduction of all fees.

Cash Advance with TPG: ERO must be enrolled for TPG’s Refund Transfer Program to offer the Fast Cash Advance Program. Cost to ERO per approved Fast Cash Advance, if any, will be deducted from ERO tax preparation fees and cannot be passed to the taxpayer. If a customer does not choose a Refund Transfer, disbursement options are direct deposit or prepaid card. Net Refund refers to the taxpayer’s expected refund amount after deduction of all fees.

Software Purchase Assistance (SPA) Program: The SPA Program is offered by Republic Bank & Trust Company, Member FDIC, and Santa Barbara TPG, Member FDIC. ERO must be eligible and approved by the bank. SPA is offered by Santa Barbara Tax Products Group LLC (TPG), Member FDIC. ERO must be eligible and approved by Santa Barbara Tax Products Group LLC (TPG).

TaxAct, LLC gets fees from some third parties, including Republic Bank and Santa Barbara Tax Products Group, LLC (TPG), that provide offers to its customers. This compensation may affect what and how we communicate Republic Bank or Santa Barbara Tax Products Group offers to you. TaxAct is not a party to any transactions you may choose to enter into with Republic Bank or Santa Barbara Tax Products Group; does not itself offer legal, financial, or investment advice; and disclaims any liability arising out of such transactions. Please see Republic Bank and Santa Barbara Tax Products Group’s websites for full terms and conditions.

Evaluation Edition: TaxAct Professional free Evaluation Edition does not include the ability to file returns with the IRS, nor does it include Enterprise features such as cloud storage or multiple users. Professionals are able to utilize the Evaluation Edition to determine whether or not they wish to purchase the full product for TY26.

National Association of Tax Professionals (NATP) Software Survey results: You can access the full 2025 NATP Tax Software Survey results. TaxAct Professional is independent of the National Association of Tax Professionals.

E-Signatures: In-product E-Signatures are available for tax year 2025 on tax return documents, such as e-file authorization forms (federal Form 8879 and state equivalents), applications for Bank Products, and other documents related to tax preparation services, but specifically excluding federal Forms 990 and 1041. Purchased envelopes and KBAs for tax year 2025 will activate on or after January 1, 2026 and will expire on December 31, 2026. Purchased but unused envelopes and KBAs have no monetary value, before or after their expiration.

Integrated Payments, Powered by Drake Pay: Drake Pay is a fee-based product that uses Infinicept, Inc.’s Launchpay. Enrollment is subject to application, eligibility, and approval. Launchpay terms and conditions apply.

Client Portals, Powered by Drake Software: Client Portals is a subscription product that leverages Drake Portals technology. For the inaugural year, Client Portals will be available for purchase beginning in June 2026, providing early access to this service for tax year 2026. The subscription will end on October 31, 2027. Following the inaugural year, subscriptions for Client Portals will begin on November 1 and end the following year on October 31. Beginning with the tax year 2026 filing season, E-Signatures will be integrated into Client Portals and made available as a separately purchased add-on. Additional fees may apply for certain features, including but not limited to storage upgrades, E-Signatures, and payment processing. Integrated Payments account required for online payments.

Trial Subscription for Client Portals: The 14-day promotional trial subscription (“Trial Subscription”) is available to eligible TaxAct Professional customers and provides access to Client Portals without charge during the 14-day trial period beginning upon enrollment (“Trial Period”). If a valid payment method is required, the Trial Subscription will automatically convert to a paid subscription at the end of the Trial Period unless you cancel or change your subscription before the Trial Period expires. If no valid payment method is provided, access will end after the Trial Period unless you elect to continue and provide payment before expiration. Features, availability, pricing, eligibility, and data access are subject to applicable terms and conditions.

Tax Audit Defense™: Audit and identity services provided by Tax Protection Plus. Read further details of services and requirements at https://taxprotectionplus.com/taxact-online-enrollment. Audit services may not apply to certain forms and credits. Certain taxpayers may not qualify for services based on past tax audit history, residency, foreign addresses or other factors. Audit services are not insurance. $2500 may not be available in all states. Services are subject to user agreement. Learn more here.

TaxAct, LLC gets fees from some third parties, including Tax Protection Plus, that provide offers to its customers. This compensation may affect what and how we communicate offers to you. TaxAct is not a party to any transactions you may choose to enter into with Tax Protection Plus, does not itself offer legal or financial advice, and disclaims any liability arising out of such transactions. Please see Protection Plus’ website for full terms and conditions.

Community Tax: Tax debt resolution services provided by Community Tax. Read further details of services and requirements here.

TaxAct, LLC gets fees from some third parties, including Community Tax, that provide services to its customers. This compensation may affect what and how we communicate services to you. TaxAct is not a party to any transactions you may choose to enter into with Community Tax, does not itself offer legal or financial advice, and disclaims any liability arising out of such transactions. Please see Community Tax’s website for full terms and conditions.

TheTaxBook: TaxAct, LLC gets fees from some third parties that provide offers to its customers, including Tax Materials, Inc. This compensation may affect what and how we communicate offers for TheTaxBook to you. Any promotional offers described herein are subject to change or cancellation at any time and are solely intended for the recipient of this communication. TaxAct is not a party to any transactions you may choose to enter into with Tax Materials, Inc. and disclaims any liability arising out of such transactions. Please see Tax Materials, Inc.’s website for their terms and conditions.

WebLibrary Plus: WebLibrary Plus provided by Tax Materials, Inc. TaxAct, LLC gets fees from some third parties that provide offers to its customers, including Tax Materials, Inc. This compensation may affect what and how we communicate offers for TheTaxBook and WebLibrary Plus to you. Any promotional offers described herein are subject to change or cancellation at any time and are solely intended for the recipient of this communication. TaxAct is not a party to any transactions you may choose to enter into with Tax Materials, Inc. and disclaims any liability arising out of such transactions. Please see Tax Materials, Inc.’s website for their terms and conditions.

Gated content: Free offer requires submission of contact information and consent to receive marketing messages. Additional terms and conditions apply. Offer subject to change. The material and information contained in these forms is for general information purposes only. You should not rely upon the material or information as a basis for making any business, legal or any other decisions. TaxAct makes no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability with respect to the forms provided for any purpose.

Trademarks: All trademarks not owned by TaxAct, LLC that appear on this website are the property of their respective owners, who are not affiliated with, connected to, or sponsored by or of TaxAct, LLC.