Drake Tax is one of the most popular tax preparation software packages, trusted by thousands of preparers across the country. But if you're using Drake, you know the pain: getting client data into the system is still largely manual.
This guide covers everything you need to know about automating your Drake Tax data import workflow in 2026.
The Drake Tax Data Entry Problem
Drake Tax is powerful software, but the data entry workflow hasn't changed much in years:
- Receive client documents (mail, email, portal upload)
- Sort and organize documents by type
- Open the client's return in Drake
- Manually type each W-2 field by field
- Manually type each 1099 field by field
- Enter remaining information
- Double-check entries against source documents
Steps 2-6 take 45-90 minutes per return. For a firm handling 500 returns, that's 375-750 hours of data entry per season.
Import Options Available in Drake Tax
Drake Tax does support some data import methods:
Drake's Built-in Import
Drake supports importing data from specific formatted files. The challenge is creating those files — which is where most preparers get stuck.
GruntWorx
GruntWorx is a third-party service that processes tax documents and creates Drake-compatible import files. However, it uses a combination of OCR and human data entry, with turnaround times of 24-48 hours and per-return pricing.
TaxFly AI (AI-Powered)
TaxFly AI uses artificial intelligence to extract data from tax documents and export it in Drake Tax format — typically in under a minute, not hours or days.
How TaxFly AI Works with Drake Tax
Here's the step-by-step workflow:
Step 1: Upload Documents
Upload your client's tax documents to TaxFly AI. You can upload scans, photos, or PDFs. The AI automatically classifies each document (W-2, 1099-NEC, 1099-INT, etc.).
Step 2: AI Extraction
TaxFly's AI extracts every field from every document. This happens in seconds, not minutes. The AI understands tax form layouts, so it knows exactly which number goes in which field.
Step 3: Review
Review the extracted data in TaxFly's interface. Any items that need attention are flagged automatically — like unusual amounts, potential mismatches, or low-confidence extractions.
Step 4: Export to Drake
Click "Export to Drake" and TaxFly generates a Drake-compatible import file. Import it into Drake Tax and the data populates the correct forms automatically.
Time Savings in Practice
| Method | Time per Return | 500 Returns | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manual Entry | 60-90 min | 500-750 hours | Your time |
| GruntWorx | 24-48 hr turnaround | Weeks of waiting | $5-10/return |
| TaxFly AI | 10-15 min (with review) | 83-125 hours | $1.08-2.99/case |
Getting Started
TaxFly AI offers 5 free cases so you can test the Drake Tax export with your own documents. The setup takes about 5 minutes:
- Create a free TaxFly AI account
- Upload a client's documents
- Review the AI extraction
- Export to Drake and import
No credit card needed. No long-term commitment. Just a faster way to get data into Drake Tax.