TaxWise Virtual Tax Office vs TaxWise Hosting: Which One To Choose?

Tax professionals rely heavily on robust software solutions to streamline workflows and ensure compliance. TaxWise by Wolters Kluwer can be used as a solution accessible from any location at any time, either by hosting it on the cloud server or by using its Virtual Tax Office variant.

TaxWise Virtual Tax Office enables tax professionals to work remotely or from their office, allowing access to tax returns and documents anytime, from any device. It transforms the user experience of tax professionals by providing built-in features like secure portals, mobile uploads, and electronic signatures, but it is not a hosted desktop environment.

However, TaxWise Hosting is a cloud-hosted desktop version of TaxWise on a third-party cloud provider’s server. Unlike the Virtual Tax Office, it replicates the desktop experience but delivers it through a remote desktop environment accessible via the cloud.

1. Remote Access

When it comes to remote access, TaxWise Virtual Tax Office and TaxWise Hosting both bring you remote access but in fundamentally different ways. Let’s understand both:

TaxWise Virtual Tax Office provides browser-based remote access wherein users can log in via the software via a secure portal, which means there’s no need to install a separate software for that.

All you need is a reliable internet connection and supported devices such as desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones on Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. You can get instant access without any prior setup or download. Also, its mobile version TaxWise Mobile enables users just to log in and access from smartphones.

Where it lacks is that you can’t work offline with this, plus it is not compatible with third-party desktop software for multiple functionalities like accounting or payments.

Choose Virtual Tax Office if:

• You prioritize convenience, mobility, and quick setup.
• Your work doesn’t rely heavily on third-party software integrations.

TaxWise Hosting operates on a Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) or web client login, providing access over a secure network connection. You get the features and user interface of the TaxWise environment, including customization and integration features. You get both online and offline access, with automatic syncing once reconnected.

It is compatible with Windows, macOS, and mobile platforms via RDP tools on PCs, Macs, and tablets, but mobile access may require Remote Desktop apps. One limitation is that you might need technical assistance from the hosting provider to set up and configure the environment.

Choose TaxWise Hosting if:

• You need a desktop-like experience with multi-application support.
• Offline access and advanced features are essential to your workflow.

Who Wins?

2. Data Security

Data security is a top priority for tax professionals, given the sensitivity of client information. Both TaxWise Virtual Tax Office and TaxWise Hosting offer secure environments, but their approaches differ.

TaxWise Virtual Tax Office brings built-in cloud security to your table by protecting data with 256-bit SSL encryption, both in transit and at rest. Since TaxWise Virtual Tax Office is a cloud offering by Wolters Kluwer, it keeps your data in its data centers with additional layers of protection while offering multi-factor authentication, role-based access, and automated backups.

However, Wolters Kluwer has predefined security features that offer fewer customization options with limited ability for external security tools.

Choose Virtual Tax Office if:

• You need built-in, standardized security designed for tax preparation with minimal setup.
• You prefer automatic updates and compliance checks without manual intervention.

TaxWise Hosting provides customizable security on cloud servers with advanced safeguards like multi-factor authentication, dedicated firewalls, and IP whitelisting. Hosting providers also implement network and server-level security, including ransomware protection, automatic backups, penetration testing, intrusion detection, and real-time data audits.

Hosting providers often include daily automated backups with disaster recovery plans. They mirror the data in multiple locations to minimize downtime during disruptions.

Businesses need to be sure that the hosting providers are well-reputed in the industry and have all compliance certifications.

Choose TaxWise Hosting if:

• You require advanced security configurations like custom firewalls, IDS, and additional compliance standards.
• You plan to integrate third-party applications that need consistent security across platforms.

Who Wins?

3. Software Integration 

Seamless integration with other tools and software is essential for streamlining tax preparation workflows. Here’s how TaxWise Virtual Tax Office and TaxWise Hosting compare in terms of software integration.

TaxWise Virtual Tax Office comes with pre-integrated tools such as TaxWise Online Vault for secure document storage, eSignature for obtaining electronic signatures, and TaxWise Mobile for remote data collection.

However, this integration is limited to accounting and payroll applications outside the TaxWise ecosystem, and there is little support for custom add-ons or external plug-ins.

Choose Virtual Tax Office if you prefer a self-contained solution with all essential tools built-in and no need for external software.

TaxWise Hosting has open integration flexibi, enablingbles seamless integration with all required add-ons for accounting, CRM, sales, emails, and more. Even the hosting providers can get your custom add-ons or plug-ins to meet your business needs. However, you might need to pay extra charges for certain integrations.

Choose TaxWise Hosting if you need flexibility to integrate with multiple tools and applications for accounting, project management, or reporting.

4. Scalability

Scalability is a critical factor for growing tax firms. Here’s how TaxWise Virtual Tax Office and TaxWise Hosting compare when it comes to accommodating business growth and expanding operational needs:

TaxWise Virtual Tax Office is primarily designed to meet small to medium-sized tax firms or solo practitioners wherein they can leverage fixed storage provided through the Online Vault, which might not meet the demands of larger firms handling high volumes of client data. If a business wants to scale up, it requires purchasing additional licenses and may face performance limitations during peak tax seasons.

The limited flexibility to expand features or integrate tools makes it better for businesses that anticipate steady or moderate growth and prefer an all-in-one platform without the need for complex configurations.

Choose Virtual Tax Office if you operate a small or mid-sized firm and anticipate minimal expansion.

TaxWise Hosting suits businesses that experience rapid growth or with seasonal workloads that allow them to add or remove users as needed without new hardware. Hosting providers offer scalable server resources (RAM, CPU, and Storage) to handle high workloads during busy tax seasons. They generally offer customizable workspaces with the freedom to add more applications, data storage, and third-party integrations as business requirements grow.

Choose TaxWise Hosting if your business requires scalable infrastructure to support growth, seasonal demands, and heavy workloads.

5. Collaboration and Multi-User Access

TaxWise Virtual Tax Office is one of the most suitable models for businesses that need basic collaboration for small teams instead of using it simultaneously. Users can leverage real-time data access to edit their tax returns through a shared, cloud-based environment.

It integrates with secure client portals for document exchange, enabling basic collaboration with clients through e-signatures and file uploads. However, it relies on browser-based session control, limiting the advanced multi-user capabilities required for larger teams.

TaxWise Hosting is known for its advanced multi-user collaboration wherein multiple team members can edit the tax files while tracking versions and audit logs. The seamless collaboration feature of TaxWise hosting makes it easier to have team-wide collaboration and advanced workflows during peak tax seasons. Businesses can configure granular role-based access control for permissions.

Pricing Comparison of TaxWise Virtual Tax Office and TaxWise Hosting by Ace Cloud Hosting

TaxWise Virtual Tax Office pricing includes software subscription fees, optional integrations, and scalability costs, providing a straightforward, browser-based solution for tax preparation. On the other hand, Hosting TaxWise provides cost-effective solutions through flexible pricing, reduced IT expenses, inclusive maintenance, and minimized downtime risks. Let’s compare both:

Choosing the Right Solution for Your Tax Practice

Both TaxWise Virtual Tax Office and TaxWise Hosting offer unique advantages, catering to different business needs. The Virtual Tax Office is a user-friendly, cloud-based solution designed for small to mid-sized firms looking for simplicity, remote access, and integrated tools for managing tax workflows.

On the other hand, TaxWise Hosting delivers enterprise-level performance with advanced scalability, enhanced security, high-performance computing, and superior multi-user collaboration. It is ideal for growing firms and enterprises that require custom configurations, third-party software integrations, and robust compliance tools to manage complex tax operations.

Choose Ace Cloud Hosting for a hassle-free, high-performance TaxWise hosting experience tailored to your business needs, backed by 15+ years of expertise in QuickBooks and Tax Software hosting. Start a free trial today!