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Software System Requirements
Get the most out of your professional tax preparation software by aligning your work environment to the recommended system requirements. View the ATX and TaxWise System Requirements below and make sure your systems meet our minimum requirements.
ATX
ATX 2017 System Requirements
For best performance, follow the "Best" (recommended) system requirements.
Stand-Alone, Workstation, and Workstation/Server Installations
Base
Better
Best
Operating System1
Windows® 7 SP1
Windows® 8.1
Windows® 8.1 or Windows® 10
Processor
Intel® Core™ Duo or Intel® Core™ i3 and equivalent processors
Intel® Core™ i5 and equivalent processors
Intel® Core™ i7 and equivalent processors
Memory (RAM)
4 GB
4 GB
8 GB
Available Hard Disk Space
3 GB
10 GB
10 GB on Solid State Drive
Computer Monitor (Display)
1024x768
1024x768 or higher
1920x1080
Internet Browser
Internet Explorer® 11
Internet Explorer® 11
Internet Explorer® 11, Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge
Printer
Inkjet (non- W-2/ 1099 forms); Laser (W-2/1099 forms)
Inkjet (non- W-2/ 1099 forms); Laser (W-2/1099 forms)
Laser
Compare your system to ATX requirements
Use our System Analysis Tool to compare your system to the 2017 ATX system requirements.
What's the difference in "Base", "Better" and "Best" configurations?
- Base: ATX will install and run correctly in this minimal configuration, but performance may not be suitable for some users
- Better: Enhances performance and application response times to meet the needs of most ATX users
- Best: Recommended for optimum performance, especially for users who prepare complex returns or large numbers of returns
1Operating Systems
- Both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Microsoft Operating systems are supported; however ATX is a 32-bit application.
- Windows Vista is no longer supported; ATX 2017 cannot be installed on a Windows Vista system.
- Windows 8 vs. 8.1 - Microsoft recommends all Windows 8 users upgrade to Windows 8.1 or 10.
- Windows 10 - Refer to KB 15351 for important information regarding the Windows 10 operating system upgrade.
DVD Installation
Installation from DVD requires a compatible optical DVD drive.
Internet Connection Required
High-speed internet connection required for all install types (e.g. DSL, cable modem, T1/T3)
Browser Support
For Online Check Printing, Internet Explorer is required. Internet Explorer is recommended for the most dependable browser experience, though other browsers may perform acceptably depending on user configuration.
Server Only Installations
Base
Better
Operating System2
Windows® 7 SP1
Windows® Server 2008 R2 SP1
Processor
Intel® Core™ i5 and equivalent processors
Intel® Core™ i7 and equivalent processors
Memory (RAM)
8 GB
16 GB
Available Hard Disk Space
10 GB
10 GB Solid State Drive
Printer
Inkjet (non- W-2/ 1099 forms); Laser (W-2/1099 forms)
Laser
What's the difference in "Base" and "Better" server configurations?
- Base: ATX will install and run correctly in this minimal configuration, but performance may not be suitable for some users
- Better: Recommended for optimum performance, especially for users who prepare complex returns or large numbers of returns
2Operating Systems
- Microsoft Windows Server 2003 and Microsoft Windows Server 2008 are no longer supported
- Windows Small Business Server 2011 is not supported
TaxWise
TaxWise Desktop 2017 System Requirements
Stand-Alone, Workstation, and Workstation/Server Installations
Base
Better
Best
Operating System1
Windows® 7 SP1
Windows® 8.1
Windows® 8.1 or Windows® 10
Processor
Intel® Core™ Duo or Intel® Core™ i3 and equivalent processors
Intel® Core™ i5 and equivalent processors
Intel® Core™ i7 and equivalent processors
Memory (RAM)
4 GB
4 GB
8 GB
Available Hard Disk Space
3 GB
10 GB
10 GB on Solid State Drive
Computer Monitor (Display)
1024x768
1024x768 or higher
1920x1080
Internet Browser
Internet Explorer® 11
Internet Explorer® 11
Internet Explorer® 11, Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge
Printer
Inkjet (non- W-2/ 1099 forms); Laser (W-2/1099 forms)
Inkjet (non- W-2/ 1099 forms); Laser (W-2/1099 forms)
Laser
What's the difference in "Base", "Better" and "Best" configurations?
- Base: TaxWise will install and run correctly in this minimal configuration, but performance may not be suitable for some users
- Better: Enhances performance and application response times to meet the needs of most TaxWise users
- Best: Recommended for optimum performance, especially for users who prepare complex returns or large numbers of returns
Operating System Notes
What is CCH SFS's recommendation regarding Windows 10?
TaxWise is certified to run under Windows 10 with either Internet Explorer 11 or Google Chrome.
Do your products support the new Edge Browser released with Windows 10?
The Microsoft Edge browser is not certified for use with TaxWise. Microsoft also allows you to use Internet Explorer 11 rather than the new Edge browser. For more information on how to use Internet Explorer 11 on Windows 10, see Microsoft's instructions.
Note: CCH SFS follows the Microsoft Lifecycle policy for their line of products so please note the following Microsoft Internet Explorer version announcement which will take effect January 12, 2016.
Do you support Windows 10 Home or Education versions?
No, as with the Windows 7 Home version, we will not support the Home or Education versions of Windows 10.
Where should I report issues when running on a Windows 10 machine?
It is our goal to address all functional software issues with our products on new operating systems prior to our software releases. Should you encounter an issue unique to the Windows 10 operating system, please open a support ticket.
Can TaxWise be installed on a network attached storage (NAS) devices?
Due to performance and stability issues with some NAS devices, we do not support the installation of TaxWise on these devices.
DVD Installation
Installation from DVD requires a compatible optical DVD drive. If installing from a DVD, check your system's installation device:
- Click Windows® Start menu, right-click Computer, and select Manage
- Click Device Manager
- Under DVD/CD-ROM drives, double-click the device name. (The Device Type must include "DVD.")
Browser Support
- Internet Explorer 11 or Edge
- Google Chrome
TaxWise Online
TaxWise Online 2017 System Requirements
TaxWise Online is entirely web browser based
Browsers Supported:
- Google Chrome (54+)
- Internet Explorer 11 (11.0+)
- Microsoft Edge (38.0)
- Apple Safari (10.x)
For the best experience, we recommend:
- Google Chrome
- Screen resolution of at least 1024x768 / 768x1024
- Device screen size of at least 7" (tablet size)
Conversions
We offer tools and services to help you convert from many other tax software products to ATX and TaxWise. More details available on the software conversions page.
Data ConversionsForms
We offer tools and services to help you convert from many other tax software products to ATX and TaxWise. More details available on the software conversions page.
ATX
ATX has all the forms you need to complete anything from a simple individual 1040 to a complex business return. View a list of forms and schedules available in ATX.
ATX Forms and Schedules
TaxWise
TaxWise is designed to complete 1040s quickly and accurately, but also includes the business forms you need to complete 1120, 1120S, 1065, 1041, 990, 706, 709, and 5500 returns. View a list of forms and schedules available in TaxWise.
TaxWise Forms and Schedules