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Instead

AI-driven tax management and analysis platform

Website

Overview

Instead provides an AI-powered tax management platform for accountants, businesses, and individuals that automates most of the tax preparation process. The system analyzes tax returns with AI to uncover missed opportunities and implements tax-saving strategies, while features like AI Tax Assistant, expense import from connected apps, auto-generated documents with e-signatures, and a dynamic reporting suite support end-to-end workflow. Instead differentiates itself with an option for accounting firms through Instead Pro, IRS/state-approved e-filing, a connected professional directory, and a subscription model starting at $16 per month. Its goal is to turn tax work into proactive financial planning, helping users save taxes and manage their finances more strategically.

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About Instead

Simplify's Rating
Why Instead is rated
B-
Rated B on Competitive Edge
Rated B on Growth Potential
Rated C on Differentiation

Industries

Data & AnalyticsEnterprise SoftwareAI & Machine LearningFinancial Services

Company Size

N/A

Company Stage

Late Stage VC

Total Funding

$5M

Headquarters

San Francisco, CA

Founded

2012

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Simplify's take

What believers are saying

  • Skylark Partners invested on March 25, 2026, adding channel credibility and distribution access.
  • Instead already signed many top 100 accounting firms, validating enterprise demand.
  • Corvee joined Instead in April 2026, expanding product breadth and existing customer migration.

What critics are saying

  • Incumbents CCH, UltraTax, GoSystem, Lacerte, and Drake still control most firm workflows.
  • Its moat depends on maintaining IRS and state e-file approvals every tax year.
  • If accuracy breaks in a high-profile filing season, firms will abandon Instead immediately.

What makes Instead unique

  • Instead reached 100% U.S. filing coverage on May 8, 2026, across major entity types.
  • Andrew Argue built IRS-approved, AI-native tax workflow spanning research, preparation, filing, resolution.
  • Instead Agents automate workpapers, memos, and return population, replacing partial-assist tax tools.

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Funding

Total Funding

$5M

Above

Industry Average

Funded Over

1 Rounds

Late VC funding comparison data is currently unavailable. We're working to provide this information soon!
Late VC Funding Comparison Coming Soon

Benefits

  • 401(k) with employer match
  • Unlimited Paid Time Off
  • Flexible Work Hours
  • Health Insurance
  • Parental Leave
  • Remote Work Options
  • Stock Options
  • Wellness Program
  • Mental Health Support
  • Conference Attendance Budget
  • Professional Development Budget
  • Family Planning Benefits

Company News

Associated Press
May 8th, 2026
Instead becomes first new tax platform in decades to pass 100% government testing across all U.S. jurisdictions

Instead, an AI-powered tax platform, has become the first new system in decades to pass 100% government testing across all US federal, state and local jurisdictions. The company received approval to electronically file and print returns for individuals, trusts, corporations, S corporations and partnerships. Founded by CEO Andrew Argue, a CPA, Instead automates tax research, planning, preparation, filing and resolution in a single platform. The company claims it can reduce complex return preparation from four to six hours to under 60 minutes, automating 60-80% of staff time. The milestone enables accounting firms to replace legacy platforms like CCH Axcess Tax, UltraTax CS, Lacerte and Drake, which collectively hold over 90% of the firm market. Instead now offers direct e-file transmission to the IRS and every state.

Yahoo Finance
Apr 3rd, 2026
Instead nears 100% US tax approval as Corvee joins AI-native platform

Corvee, a tax planning platform for accounting firms, is joining the Instead brand. Existing customers can continue accessing their accounts, data and tools at instead.com/corvee. The transition comes as Instead nears completion of government approvals across all US federal and state tax jurisdictions for tax year 2025, a milestone not achieved by a new tax platform in nearly 30 years. Instead is already IRS-approved to e-file Forms 1040, 1041, 1120, 1120S and 1065, covering virtually every US taxpayer. The AI-native platform offers a unified system spanning tax planning, research, estimated payments, filing and resolution. Instead CEO Andrew Argue said the platform was designed to replace the full tax technology stack, automating preparation so firms can focus on planning and advisory. Corvee clients retain full access to their current services.

Business Insider
Mar 25th, 2026
Instead secures strategic investment from Skylark Partners to replace legacy tax software

Instead, an AI-powered tax platform for accounting firms, has secured a strategic investment from Skylark Partners, the family office created by 8am's founders. The San Francisco-based company is the first new platform in decades to receive IRS approval for e-filing individual and business tax returns across major entity types. Instead has achieved nearly 100% government approval for tax year 2025 filings and expects complete nationwide coverage within weeks. Its AI agent automates over 90% of tax preparation, reducing completion time from hours to minutes. The company has signed many of the nation's top 100 accounting firms and positions itself as a replacement for legacy platforms including CCH, UltraTax and Lacerte. CEO Andrew Argue cited AI as a driving force for change in tax technology that "hasn't changed in thirty years".

Associated Press
Mar 2nd, 2026
Instead secures 67% of government tax filing approvals, targets $15B market with autonomous AI agent

Instead, an AI-powered tax platform, has secured 67% of required government approvals for electronic and print tax filing across federal, state and municipal jurisdictions in the US. The company expects complete nationwide coverage within weeks, with over 85% of applications already submitted. The San Francisco-based startup has built what it describes as the first autonomous AI tax agent capable of end-to-end preparation and filing across major entity types, including Forms 1040, 1041, 1120, 1120-S and 1065. Its "zero-touch tax return" system handles document intake, data extraction, work paper creation and return population with minimal human oversight. Instead is recruiting beta firms for product rollout later this year, targeting users of legacy platforms like CCH, GoSystem and Lacerte in the $15 billion tax preparation industry.

IRIS Software
May 20th, 2025
IRIS Invests in AI Tax Platform Instead

IRIS Software Group has made a minority investment in Instead, an AI-powered tax platform. This investment aims to help accountants automate tax preparation and focus on strategic advisory, enhancing IRIS's commitment to transforming accountancy through automation. The partnership will enable Instead to accelerate product development and expand sales and marketing. Jim Dunham of IRIS Americas highlights this as a significant innovation in tax management since 1993.

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