Drake Audit Defense™
Post-filing support, built for tax professionals.
Connect clients with credentialed tax experts 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 support for tax issues caused by identity theft, including rejected returns, fraud alerts, and applicable IRS and state forms.
Integration with Drake tools
Access post-filing support services and monitor cases from the Drake Software workflow you use on a daily basis.
Choose coverage that fits your firm.
Choose the enrollment structure that best aligns with your workflow and client service model.
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
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 Drake Audit Defense?
From client enrollment to case management and status visibility, you can access everything from the Drake Software interface.
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 Drake
The tax software powerhouse that you know and love, now managing post-filing support for your practice.
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 Drake Software, subject to eligibility. Further details of services and requirements available at Drake Support Site. Audit services may not apply to certain forms and credits. Certain exclusions or limitations may apply as determined by Drake Software. Audit services are not insurance. Services are subject to Terms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Audit defense is a post-filing service that gives your clients access to credentialed tax experts when they receive an IRS notice, state notice, audit inquiry, or experience tax-related identity theft. Instead of your firm managing these cases directly, the credentialed tax expert handles communication and helps your client work with the taxing authority so you can offer a higher level of client service without absorbing the workload.
Drake Audit Defense covers four categories of post-filing issues:
- IRS notices
- State notices
- Audit inquiries
- Assistance and guidance for tax-related identity theft
For each covered case, credentialed tax experts assist the enrolled client to manage correspondence and collect documentation with respect to the Covered Return. Your firm and your clients maintain visibility into status. See Terms for additional terms and conditions.
Drake offers two enrollment structures to fit different practice models:
- Practice Coverage: blanket enrollment for your entire tax client base for individual and/or business returns
- Per-Return Coverage: add protection on a tax return-by-return basis for individual returns
Both options are managed directly through the Drake Software interface. Enrollment details, tracking, and status updates regarding the Covered Return are accessible from where you already work. To get started or to determine which structure fits your firm, contact Drake Sales at 800-890-9500 or enroll now.
Drake Audit Defense is available to Drake Software customers through an add-on enrollment. The product integrates directly into the Drake interface, so there's no separate portal or additional login. The enrolled client must notify Drake Software within thirty (30) days of receipt of an eligible notice or inquiry. Contact Drake Sales at 800-890-9500 or visit the enrollment page for details on eligibility and coverage options for your firm.
No. If you currently use Tax Protection Plus for Tax Year 2025 and would like to enroll in Drake Audit Defense for Tax Year 2026, you will need to separately enroll. For immediate questions, contact Drake Sales at 800-890-9500 or reach out to your account representative.
Yes. Drake Audit Defense is designed specifically for this. When an enrolled client receives a qualifying notice or inquiry, they're connected with Drake's credentialed tax experts — not your staff. The tax expert helps the enrolled client navigate their claim or inquiry with the taxing authority. Your firm offers the client-facing benefit while the audit defense work is managed by credentialed tax experts through a Drake-branded experience.