Pitbull vs Canopy: Battle of the Tax Resolution Software Titans

“Should I use Pitbull or Canopy?”

“What’s the best tax resolution software?”

…and other variations on this same question have become the #1 thing I get asked on the “Ask Me Anything” webinars that I occasionally host.

Note: This is an old review, published in 2019. Unfortunately, I can no longer recommend Canopy. See my current recommendation here.

Since it’s a question that inevitably turns into a 15-20 minute conversation about features, pricing, and user interfaces, I’ve decided to create this page to have a place to send all the folks that ask the question. So if I sent you here because you asked the question, please don’t be offended — I’ve simply gotten tired of repeating myself over and over and over and…

To cut straight to the chase…

1). There are only four full-service tax resolution software programs that I’m aware of. One of them is really old and archaic, one of them is too new and behind the 8-ball. That leaves Pitbull and Canopy. 2021 Update: Sometimes, the new kid on the block takes a few years to grow up into something amazing. Such is the case with the software I was dismissing when I first wrote this post in 2019. Check ’em out.

2). What about Audit Detective from Tax Help Software? Yes, it’s a great tool — I used it myself when I was in practice. If you want a stand-alone transcript analysis tool without all the other features of a full-service tax resolution software package, then by all means get Audit Detective and don’t even bother looking elsewhere. But if you want a full package suite, that’s not what they do. 2021 Update: The THS transcript report has been eclipsed! <gasp!> Yes, indeed! For my new recommendation for full featured tax resolution software, read this review.

3). Don’t be a cheapskate on this. The price difference between Pitbull and Canopy is insignificant. Both platforms offer the exact same core features, such as client portal, document management, 433 questionnaire, resolution options determination, etc. They both offer additional features for additional fees. How they break out those features and fees is very different. For example, transcript service is included at no cost with Canopy, but Pitbull charges an extra $250/yr for it. They also both charge extra for practice management features, such as time tracking, billing, payment processing, etc. With Pitbull, you’re going to be in … Continue reading

If they’re broke, how can a tax resolution client afford my fee?

This is the inevitable question.

On every webinar, every Tax Resolution Fast Start Boot Camp, every open Q&A call, and via numerous emails, this is the #1 most frequently asked question in the tax resolution universe.

As such, I figure it’s about high time that I write out a formal response that I can refer folks to in the future.

So if you sent me an email or otherwise posed this question, and I sent you here, welcome, and know that you are not alone. 🙂

First, I’ll give you the short answer: People find the money to pay for what’s important to them.

Here in the United States, the wealthiest nation in human history, there is no shortage of money. Money is literally everywhere. Compared to most other countries, and most other times in history, money is also relatively easy to get.

“Pfttt!” I hear some readers saying. But statistically speaking, it’s true. Here in America, even our lowest income earners make more money in a year than billions of people around the world make in 5 or 10 years.

But money here doesn’t just come from earned income. We also have one of the greatest credit facilities in the world (be that for good or bad). Many people (not everybody, but most), can tap into credit almost at will, and many people do exactly that in order to obtain the money to pay for what matters most to them.

Starting to make sense?

What you’ll find when you start doing tax resolution work is a very simple truth: People had the money to pay their taxes, they simply chose to do something else with the money instead. This is where tax debts come from in the first place.

Many times, people are using their tax money to support a lifestyle that is more grandiose than they should be. This applies equally across the socioeconomic spectrum, by the way. People making $25,000 per year can wind up with a tax debt just as easily as people making $250,000 per year.

So, the money is flowing through them, they’re just not doing with it what they’re supposed to be doing with it (in the eyes of the IRS, that is).

By the way, if you don’t believe me in regards to this matter, I’d encourage you to take the Trailer Park Challenge. This challenge doesn’t involve a bucket of ice water or … Continue reading

The Complete 30-Day 941 Tax Resolution Marketing Challenge, All On One Page

Many readers have requested that I consolidate links to all 30 days of the 941 Tax Resolution Marketing Challenge on to one page so that it’s easier to find them all.

Well, here they are! Indexed by day and the general category of each challenge task.

These 30-day marketing challenges consist of steps that help you set up your marketing systems. This is the polar opposite of a Daily Marketing Checklist, which is helpful once you have marketing systems already created.

Also bear in mind that a task list such as this doesn’t have to be completed in order, or in it’s entirety. There sure to be a bunch of things on here you just refuse to do — kind of like me with social media and being on camera, it just ain’t gonna happen. If that’s the case, then just pick the 10 or 15 tasks that you are willing to commit to, and add them as recurring tasks on your calendar. Heck, double up and do two a day once you get going. Or, got totally wackadoodle crazy and do FIVE a day, since so many of them are pretty quick once you actually do them a couple times.

In other words, this isn’t just a one-shot, 30-day challenge. You can use these challenge tasks in a variety of different to support your practice goals.

Without further ado…

… Continue reading