For many tax professionals, the work doesn’t end once a tax return is filed.
Clients may receive IRS or state tax notices months after filing. Some may need audit assistance, while others could face tax-related identity theft issues that require specialized support. These post-filing challenges can consume valuable time and resources, making it difficult for firms to focus on serving clients and growing their business.
That’s why Drake Software® is expanding its professional services ecosystem with the launch of Drake Audit Defense™,our new post-filing service designed to help tax professionals support clients beyond tax preparation while reducing the administrative burden on their practice.
Extending Support Beyond Tax Preparation
Drake Audit Defense is designed to help firms continue delivering exceptional client service after returns have been filed by providing access to professional assistance when eligible clients receive IRS or state tax notices or need audit support.
By offering audit defense as part of their services, firms can help enhance the client experience while spending less time managing post-filing issues internally.
What Is Drake Audit Defense?
Drake Audit Defense is a post-filing protection service available to Drake Software customers beginning in Tax Year 2026.
The service helps eligible clients with:
- IRS tax notices
- State tax notices
- Audit assistance
- Qualifying tax-related identity theft matters
Rather than navigating these situations alone, clients receive access to experienced support, giving them greater confidence when tax issues arise after filing.
For tax professionals, this can mean fewer interruptions, less administrative work, and more time to focus on serving clients during and outside of tax season.
Learn More About Drake Audit Defense
- Register for our upcoming webinar
- Visit the Drake Audit Defense page to learn about features and benefits.
- Contact our Sales team for more information at (866) 434-7704
- Current customers can enroll for the upcoming tax year by signing into their Drake Software account. Enrollment starts on July 15, 2026.
Why Firms Are Adding Audit Defense Services
Adding audit defense for tax professionals isn’t just about helping clients respond to notices. It’s also an opportunity to strengthen client relationships and differentiate your practice.
Post-filing protection can help firms:
- Provide additional value beyond tax preparation
- Reduce the time spent responding to IRS and state notices
- Improve the overall client experience
- Build stronger, long-term client relationships
- Expand their portfolio of professional services
As client expectations continue to evolve, many firms are looking for ways to offer year-round support instead of limiting interactions to filing season. Audit defense services can be an important part of that strategy.
Integrated Into the Drake Experience
Drake Audit Defense is designed specifically for Drake Software customers and integrates seamlessly into existing tax preparation workflows.
Firms can enroll eligible clients during the return preparation process, making it easy to offer post-filing protection without introducing additional complexity or disconnected systems.
The launch also reflects Drake’s continued investment in building a connected ecosystem of products and services that support tax professionals throughout the entire client journey.
Helping Tax Professionals Grow Beyond Tax Season
As the demands on tax professionals continue to grow, having the right tools and services can make all the difference.
With Drake Audit Defense, firms can extend their support beyond filing season, reduce time spent handling post-filing issues, and offer clients greater peace of mind when IRS or state tax questions arise.
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